VOORHEESVILLE – Sammy Musella is a man of few words. Actions, though, speak louder than words – Musella’s attitude is positive, his smile is authentic, and his heart is filled with compassion.

Musella, a class of 2007 graduate of the Clayton A. Bouton High School in Voorheesville, received a $1,000 scholarship from the Capital Region Builders and Remodelers Association.

He will begin studying construction technology at Hudson Valley Community College in the fall.

His parents, Dan and Cathy Musella, could not be more proud of their son.
"He’s worked very hard throughout school," Mrs. Musella said of Sammy, her youngest child. School was a struggle for him, she said.
"He’s a real good kid. He cares about people. If he sees the neighbors out doing yard work, he’ll go over and help, without being asked," said Mr. Musella.

Linda McHenry, Sammy’s resource-room teacher, told him about the Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP), Musella said.
Jennifer Wademan, a work-based learning coordinator and high-school business teacher, administers the course. Wademan said that Musella "wanted an internship in construction."
She contacted the Capital Region Builders and Remodelers Association, which put her in touch with Bryland Homes, Incorporated, she said. "It’s been wonderful working with them," Wademan said of Bryland.
Wademan established the partnership with Bryland this year, in her first year at Voorheesville, and "look what happened," she said with a shy smile.
"I’m so happy," she said of Musella’s accomplishment. "It’s very rewarding."

On a sunny afternoon, Musella and his parents – beaming with pride– met with numerous teachers and administrators; Bryan Smith, owner of Bryland; Pam Krison, executive officer of Capital Region Builders and Remodelers Association; and Margie Miller, past president of the association; in the office of Superintendent Linda Langevin to receive the award.

Musella maintained a grin from ear to ear as his teachers, the director of athletics, and the associate principal congratulated him and wished him the best.
"I hope we have more students that have the enthusiasm that Sammy has," said high-school Principal Mark Diefendorf.
"Sammy, you’re an inspiration to lots of students," Krison added.

From building blocks to building homes

Musella has always been interested in construction, he said. As a child, he enjoyed playing with Legos and Lincoln Logs.
"It was an awesome experience with Bryland Homes," he said.
Smith’s Bryland team builds energy-efficient homes. "Every home is Energy Star," Smith told The Enterprise earlier.

When he first started, Musella did mostly small jobs like filling in nail holes and sanding, he said.
By January, he had finished his requirement of 54 hours with Bryland. "He still continues to go there," said Wademan.
He helped on a "bunch of construction sites," Musella said. "One house had just had the foundation poured," he remembered.

He really liked being able to see the building process, he said. He was surprised by how fast it goes, he said.
Musella said he was stunned when his mother called him and told him that he would be receiving a scholarship. "I was very surprised and shocked," he said, adding that, at the same time he was thrilled and excited.
The internship with Bryland, Musella said, convinced him that construction was what he wanted to do. "Just the whole experience made me certain," he said.
When Musella talked to his parents about his days working with Bryland, his mother said, "His eyes would light up."
It was really important for him to "be part of a crew," Mr. Musella added. "Bryan really took Sammy under his wing," he said, adding that Robert Smith, Bryan’s father and the vice president of Bryland also seemed to really hit it off with Sammy.

Man of many sports
Even though he’s the youngest, Musella said, "I don’t think I’m really spoiled."

His older sister, Kristen, and brother, Danny, also graduated from Voorheesville.
"We’ve been involved at the school for 18 years now," said Mrs. Musella. "I think it’s going to be a bigger change than I anticipated," she said of no longer having ties there.

Her son, however, plans on continuing his job of managing the boys’ basketball team. Recently, Coach Don Catellier asked Sammy who he should appoint to fill his position for next year, Mr. Musella said. Sammy told him that he would do it, his father laughed.
"His biggest love is sports," said Mr. Musella.

In addition to acting as manager of the basketball team, Musella also helped out with the baseball and football teams; ran track and cross country; was on the bowling team, and even wrestled for a year, he said.

In addition to all of his sports affiliations, Musella has been working at Nichols’ Market since he was 16.

He was awarded a $100 Nichols’ Shop ‘N’ Save Scholarship and a $250 James Ascone Memorial Athletic Award, his mother said proudly.
The athletic scholarship, she said, "was well-deserved." They wanted "to recognize someone who put their heart and soul into athletics at Voorheesville," she said. "Sammy’s been involved in so many sports."

Sammy said he is considering being a part of sports at Hudson Valley. He is looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends in college, he said.

He will be taking a math class, as well as blueprint reading, and principles and practices of light construction.

Before he hits the books in the fall, though, Musella and his parents, together with some of his friends and their families, will take a cruise to the eastern Caribbean.
Musella is "very excited" about the vacation, he said.

It serves a dual purpose, Mrs. Musella said – as a graduation present for Sammy, and a belated 25th wedding anniversary for her and her husband.
Musella said that his advice for younger classmen is to "try new things." His parents always encouraged him to be himself, he said.
Voorheesville has great resources for students who need extra help, Mr. Musella said, "Take advantage of it" Don’t get discouraged early, if things don’t move as quick as you’d like."
Advising other parents who have children who struggle in school, Mrs. Musella said, "Be there to support your child and the school, and work with them and the school in reaching goals."