TRICIA GLORIOSO

Generation after generation of Tricia Glorioso’s ancestors have left for her a legacy of quiet determination, work ethic, and the recognition that there is stewardship in one’s ability and opportunity to help others. In 1942, Glorioso’s grandfather Salvatore Glorioso volunteered as a conscientious objector in the U.S. army. As a field medic, private Glorioso saved many lives and was awarded the Bronze Star as he was critically wounded in battle. In 1952 Salvatore and Lila Mae Glorioso’s 4th child, Robert, was born and had contracted Polio. Thus began an opportunity to volunteer for a new cause.

Salvatore spent many years of his life fighting the effects of Polio on children through the Pennsylvania (PA) Easter Seal Society for Crippled Children and to work for an end to Polio in the world through Rotary International. His wife Lila Mae lead the local Mothers March of Dimes and volunteered to help in their son Roberts rehabilitation. In 1975 at age 52 Lila Mae was diagnosed with final stage colon cancer and spent her last 2 years of life volunteering to instruct nursing students at Mary Hardin-Baylor College, Belton, TX, on the perspective of a dying patient toward health care.

Robert’s service activities include being a camper at Easter Seal Society camps for crippled children when he was 7,8, and 9 years old. He then at age 15, spent a summer as a volunteer camp counselor for another crippled children’s camp. His disability was often on par or more severe than that of his charges. As an adult, Robert dedicates much of his time as a volunteer advocate of recreation for the disabled through golf.

Service has been instilled in the lives of the Glorioso children. Robert’s daughter, Tricia Glorioso has been volunteering since age 13. Tricia volunteers with Big Brothers/Big Sisters (school sponsored), is a pier mediator at school, and with Rock Da Vote 2004. Tricia has also stepped up to help Tsunami victims, prepare baskets for soldiers, help for local flood victims, and being an integral part of her area’s earth day clean-up. Tricia is also a small group leader at her church, a part of the greeters ministry, and the back to school angels ministry.

However, Tricia’s most profound volunteering accomplishment this year follows in the family footsteps of helping the disabled. Tricia initiated, developed, sponsored, and hosted a disabled students golf outing for children who attend her middle school, West Allegheny Middle School, Imperial, PA. Disabled students participated in the basics of golf and a “miniature golf tournament.” Every participant received a trophy and certificate of excellence. At the heart of this project was Tricia’s desire to help create an environment for the participants to feel the joy one gets from succeeding. Tricia believes everyone deserves to know the feeling of being accepted and the feeling of being a winner; that trophy may be the only one they will ever receive. In 2005 Tricia won a regional essay contest and her school was awarded a $250 cash prize. She has requested these funds go toward the school creating an outing for next year’s students so they can have a joyful experience to look forward to in 2006.