Gianna Allentuck Awarded 2026 Pynchon Award

Gianna Allentuck’s life and work reflect a deep gratitude for the people who have inspired, supported, and uplifted her along the way. She feels blessed by her family: her husband Lee, a devoted partner in what she affectionately calls their “wacky wonderful life”; her son Sontino, a dedicated member of the United States Coast Guard; her daughter Cecelia, a gifted writer, poet and creator; and Rudy, the family pup who always has time for snuggles.

Recently retired from her role as a school counselor, Allentuck carries the same deep appreciation for her Springfield Public Schools and Brookings School family – the children, families, educators in every role, and community partners she describes as loving, smart, dedicated, compassionate, strong, and funny. She is equally grateful for the friends, mentors, and city and community family who have shared their time, love, energy, encouragement, advocacy, strength, laughter, knowledge, and empowerment in service to others.

Allentuck credits those who live, lead, serve, and inspire with purpose and positivity with touching her own heart and life, as well as the lives of the people she loves. That gratitude now guides the next chapter of her journey: building Thank You for Inspiring, a global movement centered on appreciation for “good humans, good hearts, and good moments,” and building her company Sonelia with the purpose of appreciating, uniting, and strengthening people and organizations in their efforts to help and uplift others.

For Allentuck, the people around her are not simply part of her story; they are gifts in her life and in the community. Her work is an extension of the thanks she continues to offer them and of her belief in carrying those relationships forward into the next adventure together – what she calls living “in the goodness.”

The Wasabi Fenway Bowl, in partnership with Wasabi Technologies, MeetBoston, and Boston Globe Media, proudly presents the 2026 Honor Roll. With hundreds of nominations submitted this year, the stories below serve as a small window into the dedication and care educators around New England put in each and every day. As part of this honor, each of the educators featured will receive a grant to support their work and their school communities. From providing academic and extracurricular support to creating welcoming and inclusive environments, these Honor Roll educators inspire through their commitment.

GIANNA ALLENTUCK

School Counselor

Elias Brookings Elementary School

Springfield, Massachusetts

Gianna Allentuck goes above and beyond for her community. She works with colleagues and community partners to connect families with resources and create programs including Friday Soccer, Peace Day, and Career Day, helping students and families feel supported.

How one inner city school counselor responded to grief, division, and a hurting community by creating a room where kindness became the common ground.

By Mychal Connolly Sr. 

SPRINGFIELD, MA | It happened on a Sunday afternoon inside a small high school gymnasium in Springfield, Massachusetts.

By every conventional measure, it should have been an ordinary community event.

There was no celebrity keynote.

No famous musician.

No nationally recognized speaker.

No expensive giveaways.

No headline grabbing attraction.

And yet, more than 250 people gave up part of their Sunday to be there.

As I walked through the gym, I noticed something unusual.

A county sheriff stood laughing with someone whose life had once followed a very different path.

A Republican shared a conversation with a Democrat.

Business owners introduced themselves to nonprofit leaders.

Teachers hugged former students.

Artists talked with entrepreneurs.

Community activists exchanged stories with local elected officials.

Black.

White.

Latino.

Young.

Old.

People of different faiths.

People with different political beliefs.

People from neighborhoods that rarely crossed paths.

For two hours, none of those differences seemed to matter.

The loudest sound in the room wasn't debate.

It was laughter.

I couldn't stop asking people the same question.

"What brought you here today?"

I expected a variety of answers.

Maybe they supported the organization.

Maybe they were curious.

Maybe a friend had convinced them to come.

Instead, I heard the same answer over and over again.

"Gianna invited me."

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE:

https://www.standouttruck.com/stories/gianna-allentuck-built-the-room-we-didnt-know-we-needed