ROCHESTER — The Old Rochester Regional High School Bulldog Pride Alumni Association awarded its revamped “Bulldog Pride Award” at Old Rochester’s Senior Awards Night on Thursday, May 30. 

The association awarded $1,000 to Old Rochester Regional High School senior and Rochester resident Alia Cusolito, who is heading to Smith College in Northampton this fall.

Committee members wrote that Cusolito was “remarkable” and demonstrated leadership as an advocate for so many. 

“This is the essence of Bulldog Pride,” committee members wrote.

As a student advocate, Cusolito wrote in their application for the award that they knew they did not fit the expected image for Bulldog pride scholarship applicants.

“I believe that being a student advocate is undeniably a manifestation of my school spirit and love for the students and the school itself,” Cusolito wrote.

Thomas Xenopoulos Peccini is the president of the alumni association. He noted that Cusolito is an asset to the school’s community and cheered on other students at the award ceremony.

“My activism within our school,” Cusolito wrote. “I believe, reflects my love for the Bulldogs as well as my active participation in shaping ORR’s future.”

Bulldog pride awardees will be active participants in and leaders in the Old Rochester community, championing fellow students, the class and Old Rochester, according to the alumni association.

The award seeks to recognize a graduating senior by virtue of the pride for Old Rochester, “who may go unnoticed because of the unsung values that are often missed by scholastic or athletic merit-based awards,” according to the association.

The association also recognized Mattapoisett resident Murray Callahan with an honorable mention. Callahan was recognized for being an “inspiring team captain” and for extensive volunteer work, according to the association.