Westwood Educational Foundation Honors Julia Brune

At its 22nd Annual Awards night, the Westwood Educational Foundation (WEF) honored Julia Brune with its Barbara M. Friedman Award for Excellence in Education. Designed to honor those whose actions embody the mission of WEF, the Friedman Award is presented annually to an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to education in the Westwood community. Brune was honored with the award for the many unique and far-reaching initiatives she undertook as director of Membership Beach at Hale Reservation, a position in which she served for 15 years, as well as for her efforts teaching swimming and coaching youth on the Westwood Recreation Department’s swim team. 

At Hale and with the swim team, Brune showed remarkable dedication to fostering responsibility and confidence in youth of all ages. With little funding but lots of enthusiasm and perseverance, Brune developed innovative programs that were responsive not only to the needs of children but also to the needs of their families. Noting a gap in pre-school programs in town and the resulting difficulties for parents, Brune began the pre-school program at Hale’s Membership Beach, providing young children with a dynamic and nurturing program during the period after their pre-K programs ended, but before summer programs traditionally began. She also established the popular Teen and Tween program at Hale, which emphasized leadership skills and prepared youth for future challenges such as their first work experience.

Calling Brune a “remarkable educator, coach, program director and mentor,” incoming WEF President Maryann Wattendorf quoted the many Westwood residents who said of Brune, “if she didn’t teach your child how to swim, she probably gave them their first job.” 

The Friedman Award was accepted by Brune’s husband, David Brune.  Brune expressed gratitude to both the Westwood Recreation Department and to Hale for giving his wife, who lost a courageous fight against cancer this past fall, the opportunity to connect with and have a positive impact on so many around her.  Remarks by Eric Arnold, executive director at Hale, made clear that Ms. Brune’s work and spirit continue to inspire her former colleagues. Brune, said Arnold, led by example, taking on all chores - down to the most menial - because “she knew even the boss had to do everything to get the job done” and showing colleagues “how to be dedicated to the things we care about.”

The ceremony also recognized recipients of new annual grants awarded by WEF, while recipients of grants award by WEF last year were on hand to speak about the outcomes of their work. Mark Holthouse, an engineering and science teacher at Westwood High, demonstrated the 3-D printer financed by a WEF grant. Holthouse explained how use of this tool is a means to help prepare students for the coming changes in manufacturing and design in a digital age.  Danielle Sutton, Director of Youth and Family Services, spoke about the Bullying Prevention Program she was able to initiate. The program won a special citation from the governor, and involved 35 high school students who acted as presenters and educators to help teach middle school students how to recognize and combat bullying. Also featured was a presentation by Linda Walker on the new Outdoor Classroom at the .

WEF has served Westwood for 22 years, raising more than $860,000 and awarding more than 360 grants in its mission to promote community spirit through lifelong enrichment opportunities for all members of the Westwood community. Members of the WEF board were proud to honor Ms. Brune, and to congratulate WEF’s most recent grant recipients. Grant applications for innovative ideas in keeping with WEF”s mission are always welcome. For more information, visit the organization’s website at www.wefwestwood.org.   

Westwood Educational Foundation Honors Julia Brune

for Excellence in Education

Westwood, MA,  May 25, 2012 --  At its 22nd Annual Awards night, the Westwood Educational Foundation (WEF) honored Julia Brune with its Barbara M. Friedman Award for Excellence in Education.  Designed to honor those whose actions embody the mission of WEF, the Friedman Award is presented annually to an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to education in the Westwood community.  Ms. Brune was honored with the award for the many unique and far-reaching initiatives she undertook as director of Membership Beach at Hale Reservation, a position in which she served for fifteen years, as well as for her efforts teaching swimming and coaching youth on the Westwood Recreation Department’s swim team. 

            At Hale and with the swim team, Ms. Brune showed remarkable dedication to fostering responsibility and confidence in youth of all ages.  With little funding but lots of enthusiasm and perseverance, Ms. Brune developed innovative programs that were responsive not only to the needs of children but also to the needs of their families.  Noting a gap in pre-school programs in town and the resulting difficulties for parents, Ms. Brune began the pre-school program at Hale’s Membership Beach, providing young children with a dynamic and nurturing program during the period after their pre-K programs ended, but before summer programs traditionally began.  She also established the popular Teen and Tween program at Hale, which emphasized leadership skills and prepared youth for future challenges such as their first work experience. Calling Ms. Brune a “remarkable educator, coach, program director and mentor,” incoming WEF President Maryann Wattendorf quoted the many Westwood residents who said of Ms. Brune, “if she didn’t teach your child how to swim, she probably gave them their first job.” 

            The Friedman Award was accepted by Ms. Brune’s husband, David Brune.  Mr. Brune expressed gratitude to both the Westwood Recreation Department and to Hale for giving his wife, who lost a courageous fight against cancer this past fall, the opportunity to connect with and have a positive impact on so many around her.  Remarks by Eric Arnold, Executive Director at Hale, made clear that Ms. Brune’s work and spirit continue to inspire her former colleagues. Ms. Brune, said Arnold, led by example, taking on all chores - down to the most menial - because “she knew even the boss had to do everything to get the job done” and showing colleagues “how to be dedicated to the things we care about.”

            The ceremony also recognized recipients of new annual grants awarded by WEF, while recipients of grants award by WEF last year were on hand to speak about the outcomes of their work.  Mark Holthouse, an engineering and science teacher at Westwood High, demonstrated the 3-D printer financed by a WEF grant.  Mr. Holthouse explained how use of this tool is a means to help prepare students for the coming changes in manufacturing and design in a digital age.  Danielle Sutton, Director of Youth and Family Services, spoke about the Bullying Prevention Program she was able to initiate.  The program won a special citation from the governor, and involved 35 High School students who acted as presenters and educators to help teach Middle School students how to recognize and combat bullying.  Also featured was a presentation by Linda Walker on the new Outdoor Classroom at the Sheehan School.

            WEF has served Westwood for twenty-two years, raising over $860,000 and awarding over 360 grants in its mission to promote community spirit through lifelong enrichment opportunities for all members of the Westwood community. Members of the WEF board were proud to honor Ms. Brune, and to congratulate WEF’s most recent grant recipients.  Grant applications for innovative ideas in keeping with WEF”s mission are always welcome.  For more information, visit the organization’s website at www.wefwestwood.org.