Youth and Government
SEAN COSTELLO IS BEHIND THE LINE:
BY ALYSSA QUACKENBUSH
There is possibly no individual who has done more for Marshfield teens than Sean Costello.
Sean, a 2010 Marshfield High graduate, has been heavily involved in Marshfield’s chapter of the Youth and Government program since he was a student himself. Elected to the school committee in 2015 and currently serving his second term as chairman in addition to his work as an advisor in Marshfield’s Youth and Government program and on the board of directors at the state level, Sean’s busy schedule does not deter him from taking the time to be a transformative mentor for the kids who participate in the program.
One of these students is Stephen Merrick, a Marshfield High School senior who served the past year as the Youth Governor. An elected position, held previously by other MHS alumni such as Chris Cantwell (‘18) and Oliver Farnum (‘14) (and a position that Sean himself held in 2010), Youth Governor is the highest position for students in the program.
Sean highlights his particularly special bond with Stephen, who has worked closely with Sean both during his four years in Youth and Government and volunteering for Sean’s state representative campaign; “He’s like the little brother I never wanted,” Sean joked over the phone. Stephen thinks the same of Sean: “I don’t think that there’s anyone really except for my immediate family that has had such a large impact on my life the way he has.”
Sean’s influence in the community is overwhelmingly positive, constructive, and far-reaching. The work that he does on the school committee and for the Youth and Government program makes a significant difference in the lives of Marshfield youth, whether it’s small scale and indirect or as major as his relationship with Stephen.
A true example of someone working “Behind the Line,” Sean is actively mentoring the next generation of leaders, always looking to uphold the Youth and Government program’s philosophies of respect and honest leadership.
Stephen recently gave his big keynote address at the Daniel Webster Estate which was recorded for the virtual Youth and Government conference. The conference is typically a big end-of-the-year in-person event at the State House. Unfortunately, the event has been moved online this year for Coronavirus concerns. It will serve as an alternative farewell for both Stephen who is graduating and for Sean, who will be seeing off the first batch of 15 seniors who he’s worked with as an advisor for their entire high school YAG careers.
But even without the opportunity to cap off their experience with the traditional conference, Sean warmly reflects on all of the positive growth he has seen in these students since their start in the program. Their confidence, skills, and self-awareness have all benefited in one way or another from their involvement in Youth and Government, and Sean has been there to guide them every step of the way with genuine passion and heart, as he will continue to do moving forward.
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