Attleboro Whiz Kid: Olivia Hitchcock

“Volunteering is not about giving up one night each week, or even a weekend every couple months; rather, volunteering is about giving of one’s self. Whether through coaching Special Olympics or working at a soup kitchen, lives are touched and spirits lifted by volunteers.” Olivia Hitchcock 

Olivia Hitchcock

• Bishop Feehan High School
• Class of 2012

Junior and Attleboro resident, Olivia Hitchcock recently composed an award-winning, heartfelt and stirring essay. The topic of the2011 National Volunteer Week Essay Contest was: "Volunteers: Touching Lives, Lifting Spirits."

When Olivia considered the topic, she sweetly recalled her work with a young Special Olympian who touched her life and reminded her of what is really important. “He showed me how precious and fragile life is, while at the same time reminding me that disability or not, the only thing any of us really are able to do is to love and be loved.”

In her essay, she was able to combine her love of volunteer work with her love of written words.  For Olivia, it is both a challenge and a joy to find the perfect words to frame the experiences of life.

As a gifted writer, Olivia plans to pursue journalism or creative writing in college. “My parents are both incredible writers so growing up with them as my proof readers has definitely made me a better writer. Also, my English teacher, Mr. Powell, and all of my past English teachers, have both pushed me and shaped me to become the writer I am today.”  

Olivia contributes to Feehan’s newspaper, "The ‘Rock Report" and will be its editor next year.

In recognition of her First Place essay, Olivia will receive a $1,000 Savings Bond donated by , and she will read her essay during the Annual Volunteer Day Ceremony, held at Attleboro High School, Thursday, April 14.