Olivia Overington was named 2017 Apple Blossom Queen at the May 13 Apple Blossom Festival sponsored by the Westford Kiwanis. Overington is a Westford Academy senior bound for Northeastern University this fall where she plans to study psychology.
She was one of 10 to be nominated by WA teachers and guidance counselors for the honor. Overington won, said Kiwanis member Debbie Siriani, because she helped to found Peace, Love Cupcakes, a non profit organization. Overington, Lauren Flynn and Dorothy Goodwin were all in the sixth-grade at the Blanchard Middle School when they began their charitable fundraising efforts by selling cupcakes.
By the time they were in the ninth grade, said Yvonne Cekel, Overington’s mother, they had formed a 501 C3 entity and over the next four years raised $28,040 for the African Well Fund. Two new wells will be built in Senegal and four more at Senegal health clinics will be rehabilitated, according to Cekel.
“It’s a goal they worked toward,” said Cekel.
Overington expressed humility upon learning she’d been named queen.
“It’s surprising,” she said. “All of these girls are incredible, incredible people. I have so much respect for these women that I had no idea at all. I feel very honored to be representing Westford Academy.”
Along with Goodwin, Overington is completing her senior capstone project creating an eighth grade health curriculum on gender stereotypes in the media. From there she’ll work as a counselor for the Summer School for the Performing Arts at Westford Academy.
She was crowned by the 2016 Apple Blossom queen, Emilee Mauro. The two were joined on stage by the nine candidates:Â Danielle Mendonca, Camille Desrochers, Caroline Ferro, Samantha Walter, Olivia Overington, Mara Burke, Julia Libby, Amanda Smith, Gillian Limbert, and Angela Alibrandi.
Limbert and Alibrandi were selected as first and second runners up.
Siriani praised Overington for the service she gives to others.
“We just think it’s so amazing for her to give so much to her community and the world,” said Siriani. “The littlest thing you start can make such a difference.”
