Meet Holliston’s Citizens of the Year: Sheila Adams and Ken Szajda

The Celebrate Holliston Committee is pleased to announce the 2022 Citizens of the Year.  On Saturday, September 24, 2022, Holliston will honor Sheila Adams and Ken Szajda.  

Sheila Adams has lived in Holliston for over 55 years. Born in Key West, Florida, Sheila grew up around the world (Bogota, London, D.C. and NY). She worked for National Geographic before marrying Jared Adams, a devoted Hollistonian, where they raised their two children Andrea and Jared (and now have two grandchildren).

Sheila has been a major volunteer “force” since the early 1970s.  From class parent and library volunteer to Girl Scout troop leader for girls with special needs, Sheila is always ready to help out. She was President of the Child Study Group in the 1980s and a volunteer on the Block House Bunny program that set up safe houses in each neighborhood where children could go if they needed help or were lost. 

A library trustees for 12 years (1976-1988), she chaired the Architect Selection Committee as well as served on the Library Building Committee from 1980-1984.  She also was a member of the America in Bloom Committee from 2014-2017.

Sheila’s heart has always been with the Holliston Historical Society. For over 20 years, she has chaired and been a member of their publicity, hospitality, gardens, membership, and harvest fair Committees, not to mention a faithful volunteer for Eighteenth Century days.  She was past Secretary and present Board Member.

Sheila exemplifies volunteerism in every way, helping to make Holliston a very special place to live.

Ken Szajda moved to Holliston in 2000 where he raised his three daughters, Elizabeth, Caroline and Katherine. He was born in Bronxville, NY and raised in Rockaway, NJ.  He has three degrees from MIT (including a PhD), but his true passion is cooking (he is known to bring his famous chocolate chip cookies to meetings). He runs his own business and holds six patents in the semiconductor field. He is also a member of Treehouse Boston, which is a network of “givers” who support meaningful action.

Since 2003, Ken has been an elected official on the Finance Committee, serving as its Chair for over 10 years.  Never too busy to explain the details of municipal government, Ken has a keen understanding of numbers and finance that has helped guide Holliston to its first ever AAA rating from S&P, which is the highest rating a town can have.

His passion for finance has helped many town groups navigate the financial aspects of town government and town meeting. Moreover, without fanfare, Ken is never too busy to meet with numerous area groups that need help submitting a petition article to Town Meeting or navigating the funding process. He presently serves on the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) steering group that helps area nonprofits and town departments receive funding after the devastating COVID crisis.

Ken’s commitment to Holliston’s financial future, allows our town to continue to thrive.

Please join us on September 24, 2022, to honor both Ken Szajda and Sheila Adams at Celebrate Holliston’s Field Day.