Shrewsbury Resident & Worcester Academy Student-Athlete T.J. Power Earns Friendly House A $10K Gatorade Spotlight Grant

WORCESTER, Mass. (July 11, 2022) — Shrewsbury resident and Worcester Academy student-athlete T.J. Power has earned The Friendly House Neighborhood Center of Worcester a $10,000 Gatorade grant to help underserved and under resourced families.

T.J., who won Gatorade’s 2022 Massachusetts Basketball Player of the Year award, had submitted a short video to Gatorade to be considered for one of its 12 Play It Forward Spotlight Grants of $10,000 each.

The grant gave T.J., who will be a senior this fall, the chance to award funds to The Friendly House so it can continue helping young athletes enjoy the benefit of sports.

A multi-service neighborhood center, The Friendly House provides nearly 4,000 young people with creative and recreational programming.

“As with all Gatorade Player of the Year award winners, T.J. Power has demonstrated exemplary character,” said Kara Darling, on behalf of Gatorade Player of the Year. “His short video illustrated the role that Worcester Academy has had in fostering that character. Our vision is that organizations like Worcester Academy continue to positively impact the kids of the future.”

Like many Worcester Academy students, T.J. has excelled both on and off the field while also embracing the Academy's Core Values: Honor, Respect, Community, Personal Growth, and Challenge. He has built camaraderie, developed strategies for competition, and learned valuable lessons about achieving goals through Worcester Academy's athletic program.

Earlier this year, T.J. also won Worcester Academy’s coveted Bernon Junior Service Award. The Bernon Award recognized his outstanding community service and enables him to give a check of $7,500 to a charity of his choosing. T.J. chose A Shot For Life, which supports health and cancer research initiatives.

The Bernon Junior Service Award was established by Alan Bernon ’72 who wanted to recognize a member of the Academy’s Junior Class who shares a passion for philanthropy and for giving back and has provided exceptional community service over and above those hours required by WA.

Founded in 1834, Worcester Academy is an independent day and boarding school for boys and girls in grades 6 to 12 (and postgraduates). Located in the thriving city of Worcester, the Academy provides an exceptional and time-befitting educational experience that fosters personal growth, nurtures a sense of belonging and well-being, and develops intellect and understanding through authentic community engagement and real-world experiences. Students, who are joyful and curious, define what it means to “Achieve the Honorable” and are equipped to honorably impact the world wherever they go.

Community Service is a part of every student’s experience at Worcester Academy, and by graduation, Hilltoppers must have completed a total of 60 hours of service (postgraduate students must complete 15 hours of service). Collectively, Hilltoppers contribute thousands of hours each year in the greater Worcester community and beyond. They mentor and teach, work countless hours in hospitals and shelters, host benefit concerts, organize food and clothing drives, and make an impact.

Worcester Academy exists to instill in its students the desire to learn throughout life, to engage passionately with the world around them, and to be honorable persons of strong and resourceful character. The Academy sees its Core Values as essential to the mission of the Academy and as testimony of its beliefs and commitments.