Local Student Tessa O’Toole Honored at Mass. State House

By Transcript Staff

Winthrop’s Tessa O’Toole continues to make a positive impact far beyond her hometown. The Arthur T. Cummings Elementary School student was recently invited by GBH to serve as a Community Ambassador during the network’s inaugural Public Media Day at the Massachusetts State House.

The event brought together public media leaders, educators, and legislators to highlight the importance of providing all residents with access to trusted news, educational programming, and children’s content. During the day, Tessa met directly with state legislators, including representatives from Senator Lydia Edwards’ office, to share her personal perspective on the value of public television and PBS KIDS programming for local families.

Tessa was selected for this ambassador role in part due to her previous participation in the GBH live-action, short-form mini-documentary series “America’s Awesome Kids.” The show features 25 children throughout the country who serve as helpers and good neighbors in their communities. The program highlighted her family’s heavy involvement in Winthrop’s century-old Fourth of July tradition, the Horribles Parade, as well as her neighborhood rock-painting project. Viewers can watch Tessa’s episode on the PBS KIDS website by scanning the QR Code below.

Speaking on the impact of the series, GBH Kids Executive Producer and Creative Director Dorothea Gillim said, “I hope kids come away feeling more represented — in light of the children we’re highlighting — and that they’re able to learn from the children they see on-screen. We often return to the mirrors and windows metaphor in children’s media: we want kids to feel reflected in what they see, and we want to give them a window into others’ experiences.”

Tessa’s story highlights the importance of youth civic engagement. Her journey from Winthrop to the State House demonstrates the tangible impact that public media can have on inspiring the next generation.