Burke-Memorial fourth-graders introduce four community members recognized as 2024 Memorial School Plaque Honorees. From left, student Vivan Pothu, inductee Chris McKnerney, inductee Alyssa Bruderek, student Josie Johnson, inductee Susan Dietrich, student Niamh Petteruto, inductee Paul Yorkis and student Luke McGrail. (Photo courtesy Medway Public Schools) 
From left, inductee Chris McKnerney, inductee Alyssa Bruderek, Superintendent Armand Pires, Burke-Memorial School Principal John Kelley, inductee Susan Dietrich and inductee Paul Yorkis at the 2024 Memorial School Plaque Honorees ceremony. (Photo courtesy Medway Public Schools)
MEDWAY — The Medway School Committee is pleased to announce that four community members were recently recognized as the 2024 Memorial Plaque Honorees.
Alyssa Bruderek, Chris McKnerney, Susan Dietrich and Paul Yorkis were recognized during a ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 26. Burke-Memorial fourth-graders conducted interviews with the nominated community members and prepared speeches that they presented during the ceremony to introduce their chosen honoree.
The Memorial Plaque was placed in Burke-Memorial when it was built in 1997 to honor individuals who have given unselfishly and made a significant or memorable contribution to the town and/or school community. Through service, volunteerism or dedication, the honorees make Medway Schools or Town of Medway life better for those who follow. Nominations are submitted each spring and are voted on by the Medway School Committee each summer.
Alyssa Bruderek
Bruderek was introduced by fourth-grader Josie Johnson and nominated by Medway resident Kerry McCarthy.
“I had the privilege of interviewing and introducing Ms. Bruderek for her many contributions to the Medway community,” said Johnson.
Bruderek is a U.S. Army veteran, having served as a Sergeant for eight years. She is the member coordinator of the Medway Cub Scouts and has assisted in organizing many activities in an effort to teach character building skills and support outdoor experiences. Bruderek is a volunteer of the Scouting for Food project, which allows for cub scouts to work in partnership with the Medway Village Food Pantry, collecting food donations for those in need in the community.
Chris McKnerney
McKnerney was introduced by fourth-grader Vivan Pothu and was nominated by Medway resident Kerry McCarthy.
McKnerney is Cub Master of Cub Scout Pack 748. In his cub master role, he organizes activities in an effort to shape cub scouts into citizen leaders and shares his many years of experience as an Eagle Scout equipping cub scouts with the skills for life outdoors. McKnerney helped to organize a successful blood drive with the Red Cross and his cub scouts to support a member of the cub scouts and his older brother who both have health issues. The blood drive successfully collected over 40 units of blood and helped to raise awareness within the community.
Susan Dietrich
Dietrich was introduced by fourth-grader Niamh Petteruto and was nominated by Medway resident Kailene Simon.
Dietrich is active in the Medway community, having served as a member, vice-chair and chair of the school committee, volunteering at the Medway Village Food Pantry and dedicating her time to several school and community outreach efforts. Dietrich is a believer of doing whatever you can to help others. Dietrich spoke to the Burke-Memorial second-graders about her role as president and executive director of the Medway Village Food Pantry and shared her experiences with the students about her time as a volunteer.
“I was actually one of those second-graders in the audience that day and I still think of the impact she had on me,” said Niamh Petteruto.
Paul Yorkis
Yorkis was introduced by fourth-grader Luke McGrail and was nominated by Medway resident Nutan Matthew.
Yorkis is a longtime Medway community member, having spent 40 years contributing to the community. He served as a member on the Medway School Building Committee and participated in the renovation and construction of the Burke-Memorial School. Yorkis also served on the Medway Conservation Commission as chairman and member. He has served on many other committees that were successful in raising funds for roads, town projects and outdoor spaces.
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