Swansea Brothers Both Project 351 Ambassadors

Swansea brothers Benjamin and Samuel Woodsmall both attended the Project 351 2025 Launch Day on Jan. 25. Benjamin is this year’s eighth grade Project 351 student ambassador for Swansea, and Samuel, a past ambassador, is now an Alumni Ambassador for the public service initiative. (Photo courtesy Swansea Public Schools)

SWANSEA — Superintendent Scott Holcomb and Principal Robert Silveira are pleased to announce that Joseph Case Junior High School student Benjamin Woodsmall represented Swansea Public Schools in Boston on Saturday, Jan. 25, as Project 351 kicked off a year of youth-led service.

Benjamin follows in the footsteps of his brother, Samuel Woodsmall, who served as a Project 351 student Ambassador several years ago.

“I am extremely proud of my little brother,” said Samuel. “I remember the day when I came home from school, and I heard that he was asked to join Project 351. I felt a sense of pride and I was very excited to be able to work with my brother in the same organization.”

The elder Woodsmall served as an Alumni Ambassador this year, so both brothers attended the Jan. 25 Launch Day.

“My brother’s experience did inspire me to work hard for the opportunity to be picked for Project 351,” said Benjamin. “I remember coming home one day in 6th grade to my brother celebrating the fact he got into the project. Since then, that’s what I’ve been working toward in school, trying to do whatever I can to make a difference in my school.”

On Saturday, Jan. 25, the student Ambassadors were joined by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, state Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, and other community leaders for a day of service and celebration in Boston.

“Both of these youngsters represent the best of the Swansea Public Schools community,” said Superintendent Holcomb. “Both Samuel and Benjamin will surely make us proud as they help to change lives through their public service work, and I look forward to hearing about their experiences with Project 351.”

“I can’t wait to see all that these two young men accomplish in the future,” said Principal Silveira. “I’m convinced they will both help to make Swansea an even better place to live.”

Benjamin and Samuel’s parents, Amy and Jeremy Woodsmall, said they couldn’t be prouder of their boys.

“But it’s not just about the accomplishments themselves — it’s about what they’re learning along the way,” said the ambassadors’ mother. “Both of them have embraced the values of service, kindness, and leadership, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see how they’re growing into young people who are committed to giving back to their community.”

Their older son, Samuel, has long embraced the philosophy of Project 351.

“Sam’s journey, from being an ambassador in the eighth grade, to now stepping into the role of an alumni and service leader, has been a reflection of his deep understanding of what it means to serve others,” said their mother, Amy Woodsmall. “And Ben’s nomination to be an ambassador this year is just as meaningful to us because it shows that these values are being passed down, not just between brothers, but across the school community.”

“Project 351 is so important because it pushes kids to look within themselves, to dig deep, and to commit to being leaders, recognizing how to support others, kindness and selflessness,” said their father, Jeremy Woodsmall. “We love our community, and seeing our boys take on these leadership roles makes us even more proud to be a part of it.”

Project 351, a nonprofit organization, annually unites a class of unsung heroes for a transformative year of leadership development, enrichment, and impact through unifying statewide service campaigns.

“The young people who serve with Project 351 are great examples of what makes Massachusetts a leader in so many important ways,” said Gov. Healey. “These Ambassadors demonstrate what is possible when we work together to make the changes we all want to see in our own communities. I’m proud to join them as they embark on this important year of leadership and service.”

This year, Project 351 celebrates its 15th year with a collective social impact on more than 1.4 million lives. Project 351’s annual Launch celebration honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.

“It’s inspiring to see the incredible passion of these young people at work in their schools and communities,” said Lt. Gov. Driscoll. “With every service project that is undertaken, a ripple effect travels across the state, impacting thousands of lives and strengthening the bonds that connect us all.”

Launch Day kicked off 12 months of leadership development through Alumni mentorship and enrichment through Project 351’s Service Leadership Academy.

“My experience with Project 351 was and still is amazing,” recalled Samuel. “It has helped me grow in so many ways as a person, mostly in my leadership and my community building skills.”

Samuel’s younger brother looks forward to the public service strategies he’ll gain via Project 351.

“When I’m serving as a Project 351 ambassador I hope to learn the importance of helping the community and the best way to do it,” Benjamin said. “I also hope to learn how to help others who want to change the community for the better.”

Through Project 351, Ambassadors develop the skills and confidence to mobilize their hometowns in service campaigns that address critical issues including hunger, clothing insecurity, and educational equity.

“I first experienced Project 351’s amazing students while principal at Brighton High School,” said Secretary Tutwiler. “I continue to be impressed by these young Ambassadors and what they’re able to achieve in communities across Massachusetts. The students associated with this incredible organization will be the next generation’s leaders and they should inspire and energize all of us.”

On Launch Day, Ambassadors traveled from across the state to convene at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum for a celebratory morning program.

“Project 351 has had a profound impact on Sam,” said Amy Woodsmall. “When he was first selected as an ambassador in eighth grade, it opened his eyes to the power of community service and the importance of giving back. That experience really set the foundation for his growth as a leader.”

According to the boys’ mother, Samuel “learned not just how to serve, but how to inspire others to get involved and make a difference.”

“Now, as an alumni and service leader, he’s been able to take those lessons and share them with others, continuing the work that he started in eighth grade,” she said. “It’s been incredible to watch him take on these roles and grow in confidence, compassion, and leadership. Being the oldest of our four children, Sam has naturally thrived in his role of big brother at home. He’s always been someone who steps up, whether it’s looking out for his younger siblings, helping them with whatever challenges they have, or giving them courage to try new things. Project 351 helped Sam understand the importance of kindness, empathy, and the impact one person can have on their community — values he continues to carry with him today.”

Wearing their signature navy tee, Ambassadors mobilized by Service Hero teams for an afternoon of service at La Colaborativa, Brighton High School, and Cradles to Crayons.

“We absolutely expect Project 351 to have a significant impact on Ben, just as it did with Sam,” said Amy Woodsmall. “Ben has always looked up to his older brother and has been inspired by Sam’s leadership and involvement in the program. Ben was very supportive of Sam during his term as an 8th grade ambassador and often helped him with his community service projects. As the 8th-grade ambassador for our town, Ben will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the power of community service and leadership.”

Benjamin’s parents already detected a strong sense of empathy and kindness in their eighth grader. They now hope Project 351 will provide him with a platform to further develop those qualities.

“We’re excited to see him grow through this experience, just as Sam did, and we’re confident that it will help him become an even stronger leader and a positive force in our community,” said Amy Woodsmall. “It’s an incredible opportunity for Ben to not only learn from the past but also create his own path as a leader. It’s also an exceptional opportunity for him to meet like-minded kids from across the state and build new, lasting friendships.”

In partnership with community leaders, Project 351 Ambassador service impacted more than 34,000 neighbors on Launch Day.

“Project 351 is powered by the idealism and ideas of 8th-grade change makers,” said Carolyn Casey, Project 351 Founder and Executive Director. “As we welcome our 5,588th Ambassador, we celebrate the transformative good made possible when we unite in common cause. And we uplift the values they stand for — kindness, compassion, and respect for the dignity of all.”

About Project 351

Founded in 2011, Project 351 is a youth-led movement for change powered by an eighth-grade unsung hero and high school Alumni mentors selected to represent every city and town in Massachusetts. Youth are recognized by hometown educators for an exemplary ethic of service; values of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude; and devotion to equity and inclusion. The Ambassadors’ 12-month term of leadership development and service is the foundation of Project 351’s leadership model. High school, college, and career Alumni steward Project 351’s mission and model of impact as mentors, program leaders, and governance. Through the 35ONE enrichment continuum, a new generation of leaders develops the skills, knowledge, and courage to achieve bold change. Click here for more information.

###