School Committee honored four heroes at meeting
Date: 5/9/2012
May 9, 2012By Carley Dangona
carley@thereminder.comCHICOPEE — On May 2, the Chicopee School Committee honored four of the district's employees for their heroic efforts during the April 13 shooting rampage on the city's streets between the authorities and Carlos Gonzalez-Lauger.
Cecilia Rosado, bus driver; Tina McCollaum, bus monitor and paraprofessional; Deborah Paquette, crossing guard and paraprofessional; and Joseph Morrissette, a school resource officer from Chicopee Comprehensive High School, were recognized for their dedication to keeping the students safe during the crisis.
"The children came first, my mother's intuition kicked in," Paquette recalled, noting that she directed students to return home while at the corner of Hampden and Center streets.
"She called me and I could hear the gunshots in the background. [A shooting] can happen anywhere. I'm proud of her," John Paquette said of his wife's efforts.
While en route to Gen. John Stefanik School Rosado, McCollaum and an 8-year-old student were caught in the crossfire.
"I actually crawled down the sidewalk behind a state trooper with a shield," McCollaum recalled.
When asked how the student is fairing now, McCollaum replied, "The student is doing well. The first couple days he was quiet, but now he's back to being himself."
The events of that day have had a lasting impact on those involved, however.
"Every night I dream about someone getting shot," Rosado said.
McCollaum noted that sounds such as firecrackers alarm him and he's always "looking for the unexpected."
Paquette said, "I notice when I'm on the corner, I look at the house [where the standoff occurred] more often."
Rosado, McCollaum and Paquette called April 13 an eye-opening experience, one that makes them realize one thing: "Don't take a single day for granted."
