Lions salute eight for service to Tiverton

Janice Gomes wins ‘Heart of a Lion’ award

Posted 3/26/17

The Tiverton Lions Club honored eight citizens — teachers, a police offer, firefighter and the recently retired senior center director — at its annual Community Recognition Night Saturday at …

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Lions salute eight for service to Tiverton

Janice Gomes wins ‘Heart of a Lion’ award

Posted

The Tiverton Lions Club honored eight citizens — teachers, a police offer, firefighter and the recently retired senior center director — at its annual Community Recognition Night Saturday at McGovern’s Restaurant.

Honorees

(Excerpts from Tiverton Lions Club )

Educator of the Year — Ranger School

Christine Griffith is a Kindergarten teacher at Ranger Elementary School. With 14 years of teaching experience, Christine is an outstanding teacher. She is thorough, thoughtful, and caring.  Her students learn in an organized, welcoming, and safe environment . Like many teachers, Christine spends many hours preparing her students’ environment and lessons. This year, Christine and another Kindergarten teacher have taken on a pilot program that has required her to revise much of what she had prepared. She has embraced the change because she knows that the children come first.  We are fortunate to have such an amazing, kind teacher building strong foundations for our students.  She is a staunch advocate for students’ needs, always willing to go the extra mile. Her supportive nature makes her a colleague with whom other teachers enjoy working. Her dedication to her profession and her students exemplify what is to be a good teacher.

Firefighter of the Year

Fire Marshal Tom Mello was nominated by his peers as he is a member of character and compassion.  He is always ready to serve his community in even the smallest of ways.  He has worked hard to shape the position of fire marshal into one where all can seek guidance and information on their concerns.

His recognition however is for so much more.  Fire Marshal Mello is a pastor of Solomon’s Porch, a church in Fall River, where he quietly works to help those in need.  A humble person who operates an overflow shelter for the homeless in the Fall River area, his efforts have led to a volunteer group of over 175 people who work to help those in need.  Many evenings he leaves work and spends hours at the shelter. Tom has also served the people of Haiti, travelling there to assist pastors in helping the less fortunate. He continues to gather supplies and essentials for those affected by hurricane devastation and working to support the homeless and less fortunate.  Yet you will never hear him speak of these things — his quiet, soft-spoken demeanor says it all.  

               

Educator of the Year — Fort Barton School

Beth Kilborn is a motivated, exemplary collaborative teacher and colleague, who exemplifies school spirit and dedication to all students at Fort Barton School. Mrs. Kilborn teaches remedial reading to students in Kindergarten, first, second, third, and fourth grades. She also works with teachers to support and challenge our highest achieving students in second, third, and fourth grade as a true interventionist to provide traditional and online resources, lesson modeling, and other support. Beth is one of two “Response to Intervention” coordinators, and is the school’s point of contact teacher who works with and covers for the principal when the principal is at a meeting. Beth always volunteers with a smile to help cover for other teachers’ classes. Her students describe Mrs. Kilborn as: “great, sweet, kind, fun, very intelligent, patient, understanding,” “she makes everyone want to be involved and do their very best, that “she helps us every day, shares great chapter book recommendations” … “She is the reason why I keep reading chapter books.”

Educator of the Year, Tiverton High School

Lee Ann McCarthy teaches English to Grades 11-12 at Tiverton High School. She is a passionate educator in every sense. Whether in the early morning as she stands by the entrance greeting students, in class during lessons, or in the hallway between classes, Ms. McCarthy makes every interaction with students a teachable moment, always finding words of encouragement or wisdom. Where she shines, however, is in the classroom, as a dedicated, caring professional with high expectations for herself and her students. She finds creative opportunities for students to share ideas, voice opinions, or spark students to write their ideas on paper (or screens). She is our Senior Project coordinator, a big job as all seniors must pass their senior project in order to graduate. She does an amazing job supporting our seniors throughout the year. 

Police Officer of the Year

Corporal Joseph J. Wieszbicki Jr. is a lifelong resident of Tiverton. He graduating from Tiverton High in 1984, from Bristol Community College with an associate’s degree in criminal justice, and was hired as a Tiverton police officer in 1987. He graduated from the RI Municipal Police Academy in 1987. Officer Wieszbicki was promoted to corporal in 2012. During his nearly 30-year career, Corporal Wieszbicki has received many commendations and letters of recognition, and is the recipient of thank you cards and letters from citizens he has helped. Corporal Wieszbicki is recognized this evening for the heroic action he displayed on June 13, 2016. At approximately 6 p.m., Corporal Wieszbicki, along with two Fall River officers exchanged gunfire with a suspect who had allegedly shot and killed a person a short time earlier in Pocasset Cemetery. Corporal Wieszbicki had no cover, completely exposed he continued to returned fire towards the suspect, who did not survive. Fortunately no officers were injured.

Educator of the Year — Pocasset School

Carl Reid, is Pocasset School’s health and physical education teacher, dedicating 27 years to improving the physical and emotional well-being of children. Staff members who have worked with Carl say that he always treats every student as if they were his own child. His kind and friendly manner makes each child feel special. Carl celebrates birthdays joyfully, deals with disputes fairly, and welcomes each student by name . No matter how physically gifted or challenged a child is, Carl encourages each to reach his or her personal best. No bullying is ever permitted but cheering or high fives are strongly encouraged. The playing field is leveled in gym class — here you are just part of the A team.  He never complains, he covers duties without being asked, fills in if you need him to, and even runs the infamous "field day.”  Carl Reid is a quiet hero leading by example.

Educator of the Year, Tiverton Middle School

Kristen Destremps is a hardworking, dedicated 6th grade math teacher at Tiverton Middle School whose service has spanned more than 20 years. She has taken lead roles as accelerated math instructor, math coordinator, curriculum writer, and most recently, math coach. Kristen works to meet the needs of learners at different levels and abilities. She engages students with interactive math notebooks, math learning stations, and online math challenges. Kristen not only researches, purchases, and provides teachers with the resources needed for the school year, but she masterfully works as a mentor with the school’s ten math teachers and interventionists. Kristen’s support has been instrumental in seeing that the math curriculum at Tiverton Middle School follows a cohesive pathway from grade to grade.

Citizen of the Year — Heart of a Lion Award

Last, but certainly not least, is our Citizen of the Year —“Heart of a Lion” award. This is an award for a non-Lion citizen who has given to the community in an outstanding way. This year, we recognize Tiverton resident Janice Gomes for 25 of devotion to the town’s senior citizens, and for being a true advocate for them. Her efforts were done quietly, without desire for recognition. When she decided to retire, she stayed on until another qualified individual could be found. She willingly agreed to extend her “tour of duty” another year for the senior citizens’ sake.

Janice has always been available to help, from procuring a walker or wheelchair, to helping with transportation. She always got the job done — organizing trips, coordinating meals, running Bingo, acquiring entertainment or managing the budget. She treated seniors as if they were her own family. Janice would willingly lend an ear to any senior, and knew how to find them helpful resources. Her helping hands will be greatly missed and forever cherished at the Tiverton Senior Center.

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