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Dartmouth College
A native of Verona, New Jersey, Daniel became involved in community service while attending Lawrence Academy. While there, he volunteered at a soup kitchen, a senior citizens home, and shoveled sidewalks in the neighborhood.
His work in the community continued after he matriculated at Dartmouth, as he became a central figure in the children’s lives in the Hanover, NH area.
Among his activities included working at the Carter Community Center where he played and read with the children. Also, during the past four years, he visited the Hanover area schools where he taught students about the dangers of drugs. He has also coached local youth hockey programs from mites to peewees and has been a key factor in the Big Green’s Holiday Toy Drive.
In a letter endorsing Dan for the Humanitarian Award, Dartmouth hockey coach Bob Gaudet said:
“Despite the huge time and energy commitments that playing hockey at a Division 1 school like Dartmouth College entails, Dan Casella somehow manages to take a full course load of classes and gives back to the community almost every day. I have had the pleasure of working with Casella for four seasons at Dartmouth, and I can honestly say that his love for children is greater than anyone else’s that I have ever seen. Regardless of the game’s outcome, he is always willing to talk to a young fan, armed with a smile.”
Casella plans to continue his commitment to others after graduation as he has enlisted in the Peace Corps and will be working to rebuild a community in the Caribbean.
Academically, Dan has a 3.03 grade point average as a government major and is a hard worker for the Big Green hockey team.
“Dan is regularly the first player on the ice for practice and the last to leave the rink,” said Gaudet. “His combination of work ethic, skill, selflessness, and courage has inspired his teammates and endeared him to our fans.”
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