Burnieika gets deserved recognition

Dr. Cron and Chris Burnieika at the banquet where Chris received his award.

Alex Peppino

Veritas Staff Sports Editor 

All around Rockland High, Christopher Burnieika, who we know as “Beeka,” is very popular with the student body and staff.

Recently, the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association (MSSADA) notified him of his selection as District C’s Distinguished Service Award recipient for this year.  This award is presented annually in each athletic district to a person who has distinguished himself in volunteering his services to one or more schools in the district. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to him on Thursday, March 20 at the Resort and Conference Center in Hyannis, MA.

Nominating Burnieika for the award, Mr. Graziano, RHS athletic director, said, “Chris has been volunteering in the Rockland High sports program since his sophomore year of high school in 2001.  Beeka has provided invaluable time and assistance to a number of our sports related events at RHS.  He has always been available for any teacher, coach, or administrator seeking assistance.”

Beeka expressed his gratitude by saying, “It was an honor to get the award because it could have been anyone from the whole district. For it to be me it shows how Graz (Gary Graziano), the coaches and players made it possible for this to happen.”

He also said that he has been at Rockland High for the last nine years and that he’s done everything possible to support our athletic teams. He started in 2006 actively coaching and volunteering for the football team, boys and girls basketball teams, and the softball team. Now, as of last year, he has a full time job as Operation Assistant for WRPS.

It is a true honor that out of all of New England, Beeka was able to represent Rockland High to win this award. He has done so much for this school that needs high recognition.

Mrs. Lannin-Cotton, former girls basketball coach at RHS summed up how people feel about Beeka. “He truly deserves this award.  He’s given so much support to the students at RHS. Beeka is a true friend who provides everyone, it seems, with moral support, as well as giving of his time and effort for the student-athletes.”