Local residents nominate heroes
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Editor's note: Reminder Publications' annual Hometown Heroes nominations have been submitted. The following are individuals that have been nominated for their contributions to the community.
Hometown Hero: Steve Hays
Springfield Businessperson
Nominated by: Janet Richards
I nominate Steve Hays. Steve has a non-profit business called The Drama Studio. It is a conservatory-style of acting. Mostly young people learn self esteem, respect and to support and respect each other.
That's the way it works at the Drama Studio. It doesn't make a difference short, tall, rich, poor, smart or challenged, everyone is treated the same. Students are respected by the staff and the staff are respected by the students.
Steven encourages all students to get the best education they can. He does anything he can to help when life hands problems to those who can't handle them alone. He's everyone's friend. No kid has ever expressed a desire to come to the studio that the ability to pay ever stopped them. Steve gets them there with scholarships and grants however he can. He has picked them up, driven them home, has snacks available when needed. He is a person truly caring of young people, especially those at risk.
Steve is a family man and is also very active in his church. He lives in Springfield but is a hero of many surrounding communities. I'm sure there are hundreds, if not thousands, who feel the same way about him as I do.
Steve teaches the art of the theater. He also teaches compassion to all. I have the privilege of knowing him.
Hometown Hero: Seymour Frankel
Longmeadow Business volunteer
Nominated by:
Nancy Frankel Pelletier
Although I have been exposed to many who serve, I cannot conceive of a person more deserving of this award than my father, Seymour Frankel.
Those who know him are acutely aware of his undying dedication to countless causes. Those who meet him quickly become aware of his infectious enthusiasm. He frequently begins as a volunteer or contributor and, shortly thereafter, enlists the aid of others in the cause, ends up on the board, or ultimately the chairman thereof.
What makes him most deserving of this award is the diversity of his participation ranging from Jewish Geriatric Services, to Sisters of St. Joseph, to Rachel's Table and the Zoo in Forest Park, to acting as a volunteer tutor for Springfield school children having difficulty with MCAS, to name but a few!
What is equally compelling is that he seeks no acknowledgment for his contributions. Quite to the contrary, he quietly assumes these roles, but quite publicly seeks others to aid those less fortunate.
Hometown Hero:
Linda Langevin
Springfield Citizen
Nominated by: Ellen Berry
Linda is a tireless community volunteer. She worked very hard to get her neighborhood (she is council president) awarded one of the slots in the neighborhood rejuvenation project funded by the state.
She is also very active in the Springfield Preservation Trust.
Hometown Hero:
Michele Lavallee-Specht
Hampden Citizen
Nominated by: Poppy Nelson
Michelle assisted in performing CPR on a gentleman at a Hampden community meeting at Thornton Burgess School in September.
Hometown Hero:
Raymond P. Murphy, Jr.
Holyoke Business Person
Nominated by: Mary Pouliot
I would like to nominate Mr. Raymond P. Murphy Jr., who is Executive Director of the Holyoke Housing Authority in Holyoke, MA.
This man deserves some kind of award or recognition. He has done so much for the City of Holyoke, Mass. Building more and more homes for people (low income, also elderly), getting grants, etc.
It's amazing to see what he has accomplished with parts of the slum areas that looked like ghettos. He tries to cooperate with all the tenants, attends meetings with tenants in the community rooms, carefully listens to problems they have which may be related to breaking rules in the leases or drug-related.
Many people have a code of silence and refuse to divulge any information. Mr. Raymond Murphy listens to all carefully and tries to rectify the problem with much help from his wonderful staff. This man is fair and also not a racist. The tenants are housed equally in all buildings.
Mr. Raymond Murphy deserves a 10 or a Gold Star.
Hometown Hero: Mary Stone
Granby Citizen
Nominated by: Randy Stone
I would like to nominate Mary Stone. Mary is a bubbly person who everybody wants to be around. A few years ago she helped formulate Granby High's HOPE group that unites teens with various community projects. She also, through the HOPE group, set up a night of dancing for the seniors in town.
Mary is a paraprofessional at Granby High where she is a team member, teaching life skills to her students.
Mary is a wife and mother of two sons, one in Iraq, the other a physiologist in North Carolina and is also an adoptive mom of a nine-year-old girl.
In Mary's spare time, she is co-director of Living Gate Churches Vacation Bible School and co-director of the church's Harvest of Blessing, a Halloween alternative for kids.
Mary also runs a family business helping people save time and money using the Internet and creating income in the process.
Hometown Hero: Dillon Holmes (Heather Bessette's mother)
Agawam Citizen
Nominated by:
Mayor Richard A. Cohen
During the investigation of a fire at the Bessett Residence, it was discovered that 8-year-old Dillon Holmes braved flames coming from an upstairs linen hutch, which he had to run past, to wake his parents on the first floor.
His actions absolutely saved the lives of the three other youths in the adjoining second floor room. He was brought to the emergency room later on that morning for smoke inhalation, where he recovered. He should be given some recognition at the highest level.
Hometown Hero: Denise Spina
Longmeadow Citizen
Nominated by:
Lindsay Togliapietra
My mom has been raising and training guide dogs and service dogs for the past 10 years. Right now she is training dog #13. She does this as a volunteer and has helped blind people and handicapped people. She never asks for help.
Hometown Hero:
Barbara Spear
East Longmeadow Citizen
Nominated by: Adriona Spear
It starts with about 24 eight-year-olds each year, but being a second grade teacher who goes above and beyond, it doesn't stop there.
24/7 my Mom's brain is going, to find ways to help others keep growing.
After organizing the Advent Angel Tree, My Mom's heartstrings were forever struck by children in need.
So she set out to do even more, for people in despair outside our door.
Barbara Spear and Karen Wright worked day and night. To come up with a plan at their workplace, to develop "Kids Helping Kids," fostering social awareness about unfortunate situations that other kids face.
Hundreds of others have received needed items via the initiative of Mrs. Spear. But as importantly, hundreds of children at Meadow Brook School have become aware.
My Grandma says, "Barbara, you can't save the world, so I don't know why..." But I know my Mom ... she will certainly try!
Hometown Hero:
Susan Superson
East Longmeadow Business
Nominated by: Laura Tisdel
School is out. Most students can't wait to throw their books in the air, jump for joy, and leave the school as soon as possible. However, 10 sixth graders at Birchland Park spent the day staying in school to protest the district's decision to cut programs that included the Gifted and Talented Program taught and coordinated by Sue Superson.
The peaceful protest sparked enough consideration for the student's hopes, and after a Town Meeting, Sue Superson was able to continue teaching the program and Birchland Park.
This incredible act of devotion to a mentor should be proof that Sue Superson deserves to be nominated as a Hometown Hero. Susan's students take learning beyond the classroom and into the community. In 2004, students from her class worked together to win the 2004 New England Regional Competition for building a futuristic city.
I have seen Susan's students write and illustrate their own books, create professional logos, explore the art of Picasso, and build futuristic cities. This Hometown Hero has inspired these kids to take the values and knowledge of her teaching into the community. Susan has benefitted our community by pouring her heart, soul, and energy into its most important asset the youth.
Hometown Hero:
Susan Superson
East Longmeadow Business
Nominated by:
Anthony Santaniello
I chose Ms. Superson because she is one of the nicest teachers that I have ever had. She also lets us do fun projects and slide shows. But that is not the only reason why I like her. She donates her time to the school and the kids in the Gifted and Talented program in BPMS (Birchland Park Middle School).
Hometown Hero:
Susan Superson
East Longmeadow Business
Nominated by: Kevin Tang
Mrs. Superson is very nice. She is a great teacher. Mrs. Superson helps all who are in her class to understand world issues a lot better.
She is not at all strict and helps all of us when we have a question. She thinks up a lot of all kinds of different activities for us to do. She helps us get ideas when we have no clue what to do. She always explains everything to us so we don't get confused. She oversees everything we do and makes suggestions when we need them. I hope you select her for our Hometown Hero.
Hometown Hero: Caileen Dollard
Feeding Hills Citizen
Nominated by:
Mayor Richard Cohen
Elizabeth Dollard always thought her daughter Caileen, was a hero. The 5-year-old kindergarten pupil at Clark Elementary School was born two months early, Dollard said. Ever since then, Dollard has been telling people Caileen was her hero.
But even Dollard was surprised when Caileen literally saved her life last month.
"This is just another tangible way she is a hero," Dollard said, "She was meant to be here with me."
And Dollard isn't the only one who thinks her daughter is a hero. Last week, the city awarded Caileen a citation for her heroic efforts at a ceremony at Clark School.
"I thought it was fantastic that not only did she carry through, but she did it without panicking," principal Sandra M. Howard said.
Caileen was honored for her actions Feb. 24. That day during school vacation, Caileen was home alone with her mother. Caileen's father was on a business trip. Her older sister, Delaney, 7, was sleeping over at a friend's house.
At around 5 a.m. Feb. 24, Dollard woke up with a severe stomach flu. She recalled, "Within one hour, it hit hard and fast." "Every time I lifted my head up, everything went black."
Dollard called Caileen into her room. Dollard told her daugher, "Mommy's going to pass out. Get the phone."
Moments later, Dollard fainted and immediately called 911 for help. She unlocked the door so emergency personnel could get into the house. She also put the family dog, Happy, in a cage so that the dog would not cause any problems when emergency personnel arrived at the house.
Caileen admitted she was frightened when her mother passed out. "It was scary," Caileen wrote for an assignment about what she did during school vacation. "I was worried. My Mommy was very sick."
Dollard was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. She passed out because she had a stomach flu and had lost lots of fluids, Dollard said. She said she still cannot believe her daughter acted in such a calm manner in the midst of such a traumatic situation.
"I was amazed at what she did," Dollard said. "Caileen knew to call 911 because we talked about it a lot and she learned it in kindergarten and preschool."
Even so, Howard said Caileen's actions were an inspiration to other pupils.
"I think it's very important for the other children to realize how important it is to ... think clearly," Howard said.
Hometown Hero:
Sgt. John Delaney
Springfield Business Person
Nominated by:
Michelle Mantha
Officer Delaney gives his every waking hour to building a safe community never stopping. He deserves to be recognized for his unending efforts.
Hometown Hero:
Dr. William Bazin/ Bazin Chiropractic Office
East Longmeadow
Business Person
Nominated by: Diane Porfilio
It would be very easy for me to say that, as a patient who was in debilitating pain, Dr. Bazin healed me, took it away and therefore he is my hero. After all, I am indebted to him, right? He taught me how to live healthier, encouraged me along the way to go the extra mile, and educated me on the power of positive thinking. Healing is so much more than pain management. Healing is total wellness in body, mind, and spirit. Elderly, victims of accidents, injuries and those who can barely walk, I have seen them all looking to Dr. Bazin as I did for the pain free life I once knew. Dr. Bazin is an inspiration to me, and so many countless others whom he has helped in our community.
Thank you Dr. Bazin!!
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