Representative Tom Saviello presented a Legislative Sentiment to Phillips Student Council President Sol Fast in recognition of his receipt of the 2010 Secretary of State’s 8th Grade Citizenship Award. (Paula Roy photo) PHILLIPS — Student Council President Solomon Fast received the 2010 Secretary of State’s 8th Grade Citizenship Award at the final awards assembly held Friday, June 18 at the Phillips school.

Presented by Representative Tom Saviello, this prestigious award is given each year to students throughout Maine who understand the importance of academic success and who devote time and attention to making meaningful progress. The award also serves to recognize those individuals who take responsibility for their work and who strive to make contributions to their community.

Fast’s teachers nominated him in recognition of his enthusiastic involvement in student government, his solid scholarship, faithful school attendance, and his leadership which has motivated others to active participation in school events. In addition to his academic strengths, Fast is a four-sport athlete and a talented artist and musician.

All through his middle school years, Fast has been part of the student government program, this year being elected as Student Council President. In that role, he was instrumental in organizing and facilitating the annual Mix It Up at Lunch event, Winter Carnival Week, the Cinco de Mayo District Dance, and the MAPS Brigade’s participation in Relay for Life. His daily duties included leading the whole school in the Pledge of Allegiance over the intercom, making morning announcements, and extending birthday greetings. He and his assistants were also responsible for raising and lowering the flag each day.

His athletic abilities have benefited the Raiders’ teams in soccer, basketball and baseball, plus he was a member of the district’s middle school ski team. This summer, Fast is playing in the Babe Ruth League in Farmington.

Upon making the presentation, Saviello stated, “(Sol) has taken important steps forward, and we’re confident that he will continue to achieve great things in the years ahead.”

Solomon Fast is the son of Scott and Cathy Fast. Most everyone knows him as “Sol”, but his aliases include “Soul” at ski races and “Slugger” when at bat.

According to his mom, Fast’s biggest achievement was his birth on July 6, 1996. On that day, Fast was the baby of the family and remained so for 10 years, the younger brother of sisters Ella and Phoebe, and brother Abe. At the age of 10, Fast’s life took a pretty dramatic change when he became the big brother of a baby sister, Teresa.

This year, inspired by visiting author Ralph Fletcher, Fast wrote a poem commemorating that life change: “Sometimes I remember the good old days. Being the baby of the family, getting the last pork chop. Getting what I want when I want. But then 10 years later there were no more good old days for me. No more last pork chop. She got what I used to get when she wants it. I wish I still had the good old days.”

Of course, the words are all in fun because Fast loves his little sister dearly. His mom, Cathy, says, “(He) loves and cares for her so much. He plays with her and makes her laugh... watches out for her safety and tends to her needs and wishes —or should we say ‘commands.’” Maybe there is a little bit of truth to The Last Pork Chop.

Fast has participated in sports nearly all his life. He has played baseball and basketball since grade 3, skiing since grade 4, and soccer since grade 5. In addition to the Raider’s team, his baseball experiences have included Little League, Cal Ripken, Cal Ripkin All Stars, and now the Babe Ruth League.

Besides sports, Fast has enjoyed playing steel drums under the direction of Susan Sterling. He participated in the Annual Pan New England Steel Band Festival on Sugarloaf Mountain earlier this spring. One of his newest interests is learning to play the piano.

He has also had a lot of fun as a member of Tom Piekart’s Outdoor Education class, which has included golfing, archery and a fishing excursion to Porter Lake with guides from Mt. Abram High School.

Fishing and hunting are both passions of Fast’s. He hunts with his Uncle Randy, Uncle Chris, and Uncle Neal “up at camp.” His fishing often inspires his art. He draws, paints, and carves fish. One of his more impressive pieces, which he showed at the MSAD #58 Annual Art Show a couple of years ago, was a large under-waterscape, complete with several species of fish. The whole piece was crafted from the little circles made from punching holes in colored paper.

On top of all that, Fast is also an entrepreneur. He saved money to purchase his own lawn mower and weed-whacker.

“He’s very good at saving money,” his mom says, “as well as lending (it) at a small fee.”

His work experience includes lawn care for Dale Hill, gardening for Ellen James, yard and lawn work for Mackie Toothaker, and carpentry with his dad, Scott.

Solomon Fast will be a freshman at Mt. Abram High School in the fall; as Tom Saviello said, “(We) look forward to following your high school career.”