What do you believe is your best quality? Some would respond about how they’re funny, and many would mention how kind they are. When I asked Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School junior Claire Cassidy this question in a walking interview, the first word that came to her mind was one I least expected: determined.

“When I find a project, I’m very passionate about it and I follow through with all of the goals I set for myself,” Cassidy told The Fanscotian.

Determination is a rare but special quality to have, especially after the year we’ve had. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world was put in isolation, separating people from their friends, families, and all those we love so dearly. A demographic that relates to this the most are the elderly. This inspired Cassidy to open up a local chapter of “Letters for Rose” with the mission to reduce loneliness among elders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It [participating in “Letters for Rose”] meant a lot to me knowing that I was helping someone smile,” Cassidy said. “Just putting a smile on someone’s face is really important to me. And it was great to know that I was starting something within the community and seeing all the people that were so interested to be involved right off the bat really made me happy.”

Cassidy’s hard and compassionate work was recognized by many in the Fanwood community. Little did she know behind the scenes, the town would present her with the honor of a lifetime.

“I was asked to go to the Fanwood town council meeting for the month of September,” Cassidy said. “And originally, I was told that I was going to be talking about leadership roles in the ‘Letters for Rose’ organization and starting a chapter in town. Once I joined the meeting, they did announce that it was Claire Cassidy day on September 21.” 

When I asked what she felt in that moment, Cassidy described how she was not only proud of herself, but also for her fellow leaders in the Fanwood chapter.

“It was a great feeling to know that the work that myself and my friends that are on the executive board for ‘Letters for Rose’ were being recognized for the work that we were doing,” she said.

Even after the height of the pandemic, Cassidy is still captaining the local chapter of “Letters for Rose.” She’s excited to continue to impact the lives of senior citizens in our community and feel the fulfilment that comes with  being a leader. 

“Honestly, starting a local chapter has made me very outgoing in a way,” Cassidy said. “It’s really given me a voice and sense of leadership, which has been amazing. It makes me feel more connected to the community and I’ve met so many people from towns around us that are different from the people I normally interact with on a daily basis. It’s overall been an amazing opportunity.”