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‘Ordinary Heroes’ Recognized By The Students Of Morse Pond School

Posted: Friday, June 5, 2015 10:27 am by LANNAN M. O’BRIEN


GENE M. MARCHAND/ENTERPRISEThe Ordinary Heroes Breakfast At The Morse Pond School
Sixth grader Sam Cavossa walks over to give his father and his teams choice for ordinary hero, Carl Cavossa, a hug after giving the presentation.

When Falmouth resident Lori M. Burridge was in and out of Falmouth Hospital this past winter, she learned to accept the help of others. To give back to the community, she knitted hats and scarves for people in need. She brought some to local clinics and hung others on trees in Peg Noonan Park, never expecting thanks or recognition.

On Wednesday, June 3, she was one of 16 “ordinary heroes” honored in a presentation at the Morse Pond School.

“Their work is not for them, it’s for others,” principal Patrick Dillon said of the individuals, who were seated before students in the cafeteria. As part of an Ordinary Hero Project through Project GO (Generation On), a service learning project, he said that students in the 5th and 6th grades had nominated the men and women as “outstanding members” of the Falmouth community.

Stepping up to a microphone, students offered brief descriptions of each of their heroes.

Sixth grader Samuel Cavossa spoke of his father, Carl F. Cavossa Jr., as a person who helps the community and “works hard every day.” After the speech, Mr. Cavossa’s daughter, Mia Cavossa, ran over to him for a hug.

Brenda Swain, the executive director of the Falmouth Service Center, and Deborah Netto, a member of the service center’s board of directors, were thanked for their contributions to local people in need through the service center.

Maintenance worker John Netto and Donna Domingos, a secretary to the principal, were described as “always helping” people in the school and in Falmouth.

Falmouth resident Doug Patterson, a United States Marine who has served twice in Afghanistan, could not attend the ceremony.

“Even though he couldn’t be here, he is a true hero,” 5th grader Gavin Afonso said.

The youngest of the heroes was 14-year-old Tyler C. Smith, a Lawrence School student who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2011. Last school year, he shared the story of his diagnosis and recovery in a presentation to his classmates.

Others recognized at the event included Joanne M. Holcomb, Winnie C. Mackey, Trish Johnson, Gina Shinkle, Daniel Lima, Joseph Olenick, and Ronald Hoffman.