TheYouth Achievement Award

In the Fall of 1981, Mags was returning from the movies with several students. They had just seen "On Golden Pond" with Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, and Jane Fonda. Unheralded among these acting greats was a teen actor named Doug McKeon in his debut film. It suddenly occurred to Joe that they could invite Doug to take part in WAVM's Awards Banquet. Finding an article called "Golden Pond's Golden Boy" in People Magazine, he learned that Doug's mother was a schoolteacher in New Jersey. They tracked her down; Doug accepted the invitation, and so began The Youth Achievement Award.

Mags established the Award to show his students that the stars they watched and admired on the screen were just like the students of WAVM: hardworking, decent, and talented kids. Furthermore, Joe pointed out that there wasn't much difference between what the WAVM students did on an amateur basis and what these teen stars did professionally. Of course when these stars arrived on Banquet weekend, there would be a few moments of apprehension before the WAVM students realized it was true, these stars were genuine kids. From then on, a great time was had by all.

A typical weekend included "girls vs. guys" softball, trips to Riverside Park or to a miniature golf course. The stars would also take to the airwaves and entertain local phone calls. On Sunday evening during the Awards Banquet, the star would receive The Youth Achievement Award and assisted Joe Magno in handing out awards to the students. It was a case of the WAVM students honoring the star and then the star honoring WAVM, always adding a statement similar to, "I wish I had a program like WAVM in my school."

To date, WAVM has been visited by the following guests:

Doug McKeon presents WAVM member, David Lemire, with an award

DOUG MCKEON, 1982
"On Golden Pond" was filmed on Little Squam Lake, N.H., and after the Banquet Weekend, Doug revisited the region with these students (left) and Mags, who owned a house on Lake Winnepesaukee. In turn, several students visited Doug in New Jersey and New York City, where they watched him perform on Broadway in "Brighton Beach Memoirs." Such long lasting friendships have been one of the best aspects of the Youth Achievement Awards.

RICKY SHRODER, 1983
Ricky Schroder rose to prominence in 1979's "The Champ," which was followed by several fine films. During the Eighties, Ricky starred in the popular TV series "Silver Spoons" and would notably reappear in "Lonesome Dove." When Ricky visited Maynard, WAVM, new to star visits, didn't expect the many fans who would turn out. A mob descended on Maynard High School and the banquet. Stardom...

Ricky Schroeder

photo of Scott Bailey, Adam Rich, and Paul Crimmins

Adam Rich receives a gift from Scott Bailey (left) and Paul Crimmins

ADAM RICH, 1984
If you remember the smash seventies TV series "Eight is Enough" starring Dick Van Patten, then you may remember Adam Rich, the youngest kid of the family. He had just finished a small movie when he visited the station and entertained the area via the radio.

ANTHONY MICHAEL HALL, 1985
Anthony Michael Hall was very, very shy, at least until a pick-up basketball game was organized in the M.H.S. gym where Hall's height allowed him to dominate the boards. Then we saw his outward side that made him very successful on such films as "National Lampoon's Vacation" with Chevy Chase, " "Sixteen Candles" with Molly Ringwald, and the alternately poignant and funny "Breakfast Club."

Whoops!

photo of Todd Boothroyd, Chris Wozny, & Corey Feldman

(L-R) Todd Boothroyd, Chris Wozny, & Corey Feldman

COREY FELDMAN, 1986
Corey Feldman arrived at WAVM the same year as the unbelievable film "Stand By Me," starring River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, and Jerry O'Connell, was released. Just having finished the fun movie, "The Goonies", Corey was warmly welcomed, and WAVM has enjoyed his successes ever since.

CHAD ALLEN, 1987
Chad Allen visited WAVM with his family in 1987, at which time he was starring in the NBC-TV series "Our House" with Wilford Brimley and Shannon Doherty. Over the years, Chad has guest-starred on such television series as "Stairway to Heaven" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Nowadays, Chad can be seen on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" as a grown man who has a family of his own.

Chad Allen during a radio show

Danny Ponce with his parents

DANNY PONCE, 1989
Danny Ponce starred in the very popular TV series "Hogan Family" with Jason Bateman when he was invited to WAVM. It turned out that Danny was a native of Waltham, Mass., a town only a few miles from Maynard. On Banquet evening, quite a few people from Waltham turned out to see their homegrown star. With the Banquet held in the tiny M.H.S cafe, tables had to be shifted at the last minute to accomodate these guests, but WAVM fit them in for an evening enjoyed by all.

JONATHAN TAYLOR THOMAS, 1994
Jonathan Taylor Thomas visited WAVM in 1994 just as Disney's animated feature film, "The Lion King" was released, and J.T.T.'s popularity soared. He's also seen on the long-running, television sitcom "Home Improvement," with Tim Allen, as well as the feature films "Huck Finn" and "The Man of the House" and the recently released "Wild America." WAVM's students realized that J.T.T. had amazing talent when they first heard his voice of young Simba in "The Lion King," but they were blown away by his poise and cander when he spoke on the radio and before the banquet guests.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Mags.

Sam Huntington helping to hand out a few gifts.
Background: 1996-97 G. M. Wisuri (left)
and Mags.

SAM HUNTINGTON, 1997
Sam Huntington starred with Tim Allen in Disney's "Jungle 2 Jungle," released in March of 1997. A superb kid, Sam mingled easily with the students of WAVM and won over any skeptics who thought stars were insincere. During his weekend visit, Sam and his father joined 80 students on a Saturday trip to Riverside Park in Agawam, MA. The Mind Eraser ride certainly left an impression but not as much as a 150 foot drop on a Bungee rope. On Sunday, there was an early morning match of miniature golf where Sam and his father found themselves challenged by Maynard's finest, Steve Malcolm and Matt Pomfret. A vicious game ensued, and the end was in doubt. However, Maynard came out on top by 8 strokes. It was revealed only afterwards that Sam and his father were playing against Maynard High School's best golf team members. That evening Sam received the Distinguished Youth Award, and he truly deserved it. Presently, WAVM is waiting to hear what film Sam will star in next.

Return to the Awards Banquet