World Of Wellesley Writers Up, Up, And Away

Yesterday, local students honored by the World of Wellesley for uplifting writing got a lift of their own in a hot air balloon, courtesy of Sun Life Financial. 

In June, local students were recognized for writing movingly about a person of color or a personal experience with discrimination by the World of Wellesley, which aims to promote diversity and multiculturalism in town.

Sun Life offered 14 of the writers - those  judged the most effective - rides about 60 feet up in the air, and snacks and soda while they waited their turn. 

For most, it was their first time in a hot air balloon. About 12 of the writers were able to make the event. "They're good kids. Sorry we couldn't get all 14 of them," said Richard S. McGhee, Chairman of the World of Wellesley, Inc.

The kids climbed aboard, often with their parents, and spent a few minutes apiece floating above the lot at One Sun Life Executive Park off of Rte. 9. Among the young writers floating around was Olivia Gieger, 11, a student at Hunnewell School, accompanied by her dad, Mike. The two wrangled their way into the balloon's small basket and had a look around at the town from about 60 feet up.

Mike said they learned that Sun Life was offering the rides to Olivia and her fellow writers  about two weeks ago. The news was a pleasant surprise, Mike said. Olivia had already been honored at a ceremony in June. "It seemed like everything was over and done and then we get this," Mike said, indicating the Sun Life parking lot, filled with the balloon and eager riders lined up, as well as a table full of soda and snacks.

"It was really fun," Olivia said of the balloon ride.

The fun is well deserved, said Julie Dicarlo, assistant vice president of communications and philanthropy for Sun Life, a 145 - year -old international financial services firm which provides wealth, health and retirement products through individual and group plans. The company, which has its global base in Toronto, Canada, makes its US headquarters in Wellesley, where it has been since 1973. 

 "The kids have done a tremendous job in their essays for school," Dicarlo said. So, she said, she and the folks at Sun Life thought they'd give the writers a fun experience. Reports from the kids indicate they were successful.

"It was so cool going up high," said Grace Ronchetti, 11, of Sprague School, who was at the event with her dad, Jeff.

"It really gives them something tangible," as a result of their essays, said Phyllis Gimbel Schnitman, president of World of Wellesley, Inc. Also, said Melissa Clemence, World of Wellesley treasurer, indicating a group of media photographers, it's not a bad way to let people know about World of Wellesley.

For Brandon Chow, 11, a student at Fiske School, it was definitely his first time in a hot air balloon. He liked it, and went for a second try, this time solo, as Sundance Balloons operator Sebastian Msuya fired up the air with a burner and Jimmy Osmond manned the guide ropes from below.

There was barely any sense of acceleration as the balloon rose to the sound of Msuya firing the burner, heating the air that lifted the craft. Morning traffic on and off of Rte. 9 and Rte. 128 were visible from a birds-eye view, and the people watching below shrank to a third their normal size from the riders' perspective. Brandon looked down at his mom, Yet Wah, who pointed her camera up at him.

Once the balloon landed, Brandon said he enjoyed both rides. "I think it went up a little higher," the second time, he said. Which he also liked.