2014 Brick Hero Awards – Pay It Forward

Last Saturday night, I was honored to present awards at the 1st annual Brick Hero Awards at Brick High School.

This event was dreamed up by Colleen Finnegan of Enspirited Projects and David Seegert of Preferred Children’s Services’ Brick High School school-based program in conjunction with the Society of Influencers and Game Changers, a club at both high schools.

Colleen and I had worked in the past on the 100 Reasons to Live project. To this day, it is one of the most important community projects I've been a part of. Colleen is always working tirelessly for children at the Shore. She was at the forefront of the "anti-bully movement" in Monmouth and Ocean counties, or as she likes to call it, "pro-kindness."

The night was a mix of recognizing everyday people in Brick Twp who go above and beyond for the community and performances spotlighting the talents of students.

The Brick Patch was on hand to chronicle the evening. Here's a rundown of Brick residents who were honored.

1. Gulnora Kuchkorova, third-grader at Emma Havens Young School, who mentors a kindergartner and writes poems and songs about helping others. “She is a great example of how young children can show us how to be heroes,” said Uszenski, who presented her award.
2. Alana Colabella, a student at Brick Township High School, who Uszenski said gives freely of her time and “lights up a room with just her personality.”
3. Breen Meyerle, secretary at Warren Wolf Elementary School, who worked long hours and picked up extra work when a co-worker was ill to ensure the school would be ready to open on time this fall, Caldes said.
4. Susan Suozzo, school counselor at Veterans Memorial Middle School, who came out of retirement to assist the school “in a time of crisis, after the death of a staff member,” Caldes said.
5. Colin Riley, Lanes Mill Elementary School. Presenters Maddie Allen of Brick HS and Tyler McKelvey of Brick Memorial said he always lends a helping hand and participates in Lanes Mill Buddies, a program that matches students with special-needs students.
6. Isabella Jacobs, Lanes Mill Elementary School, also participates in Lanes Mill Buddies and spreads kindness wherever she goes, Allen and McKelvey said.
7. Dan Cullen, head custodian at Osbornville School, who, Finnegan said, “is everywhere in the school, fixing things and making sure things run smoothly.”
8. William “Bill” Groves, custodian at Midstreams School, who is engaged with the students on a daily basis, Finnegan said, sometimes sitting to eat lunch with them, and as the kids’ favorite staff member has won the Principal’s Award.
9. Brick Township Police Officer Tara Schinder, the DARE officer at Lake Riviera Middle School, who Capt. Ron Dougard of the department said was being honored for her commitment to the children. “That’s my mommy,” her son Matthew, 4, said as she stepped to the stage. “I love what I do,” Schinder said.
10. Visitation Relief Center, represented by Deputy Director Moira Edge, volunteer coordinator Adele Leonard, care counselor Angela Grillo, and volunteers Carolee Moore, Jane Cavallaro, Betty Vestuschi, Trish McAvoy, Tommy Spanedero, Lexi Adams, Danielle Prachthauser, and Tabitha Gray, “who represent just a portion of our volunteers,” Edge said. The center was honored for its ongoing efforts to help residents impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
11. Tracy Kenney, school bus driver and interim supervisor, Drum Point Elementary School, who Seegert and Kevin Moseley, the anti-bullying coordinator at Brick High School, said has been a strong advocate of the district’s anti-bullying programs.
12. Nancy Guidice, school bus driver and supervisor, Herbertsville School, who was cited for her patience and understanding of students’ needs.
13. Master Sgt. David Tierney, head of the district’s Junior ROTC program. “His wisdom and the guidance he gives to our kids every day makes a difference,” Moseley said.
14. Denise Wirth, FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, for her commitment of helping to feed those in need.
15. Kurt Weiboldt, volunteer assistant football coach at Brick High School, who Fillipone said has given of his time and “reached into his pocket” for kids who needed it for 20 years. “There’s a simple answer to stopping things like what happened in Sayreville from happening,” Fillipone said. “You put someone like Kurt in the lockerroom.”
16. R.J. Hernandez of Brick Memorial High School, who recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout for his hours of community service to Brick, and promptly thanked his mother, Bobbi, who celebrated her birthday by watching her son don his hero’s cape on stage, to a round of cheers and applause.
17. David Schmelz, a member of the purchasing department in the school district, who helps keep things running smoothly, Ducey said. “I was given the nickname ‘Super Dave’ years ago,” Schmelz said. “It’s nice to have a cape to go with that.”
18. Dean Canfield, fifth-grader at Drum Point, for his good character and kind deeds. “Thank you, Drum Point,” he said, “You rock!”

Also honored but unable to attend were iHop Restaurant for its commitment to its staff; Arthur “Artie” Vermeal, a custodian at Lake Riviera Middle School; and Karen Yaegel, the anti-bullying coordinator at Brick Memorial High School.

See a photo gallery, and like the Brick Hero Awards on Facebook, here.