'We're Called To Reach Out:' Brick Hero Awards Emphasize Small Kindnesses

Brick, NJ. -- Never give up. Reach to others. Do the next good thing. Unite.

Those were just some of the messages to the community sent by the participants at the second annual Brick Hero Awards ceremonies.

For the second year, the fledgling program -- the brainstorm of Colleen Finnegan of Enspirited Projects and put on in conjuction with the Brick Township Schools -- emphasized the good works done in Brick Township every day, from the head bus driver who takes every child as her personal responsibility to the second-grader who was so inspired by the acts of others that he set up a lemonade and hot chocolate stand to raise money for cancer research and inspired others to do the same.

Two dozen people were lauded for the good things they do and the example they give to others.

The featured honoree was retiring Police Chief Nils “Rick” Bergquist.

“His countless hours of service and dedication kept our community safe and have played an instrumental role in making Brick a wonderful place to be,” said Councilwoman Andrea Zapcic, who presented the award.

Bergquist was lauded for his efforts to help the township battle the heroin crisis -- efforts that go far beyond his work in the police department and included an active role in the resumption of the Brick Municipal Alliance Committee, which is working on drug use prevention among the township’s youth; work with the DART Coalition, and other programs.

“We are not going to arrest our way out of this problem,” Bergquist said. He emphasized the role of the township’s DARE program and the newly instituted Lead and Seed program, which is being expanded to both high schools, “giving us a drug prevention program in every school in the district,” he said.

“It will take an entire village to fix this,” he said but added that the Hero Awards were a great way to support and empower young people to stay away from drug addiction.

The event was emceed by R.J. Hernandez, a recipient of a Brick Hero cape at the first awards night, held in December 2014. Hernandez said one of the most important messages was the need to create a kinder community and bring it together.

There have been increasing discussions about splits between the ”Old Brick” and ”Brick Memorial” sides of town that have gone from friendly sports rivalry to nastiness bordering on hatred. It’s a conflict Finnegan and Kevin Mosely, the school district’s anti-bullying coordinator and David Seegert of the Brick School-Based Program are aiming to heal through a new slogan: Brick United.

First presented at the Brick Township Board of Education meeting in November, a video presented by the Brick Youth program -- also known as the Society of Influencers and Game Changers -- started by Mayor John Ducey started emphasizing the message of one town, unified.

Ducey, who sent a video message to the recipients because he was out of state with his family, thanked them for their service to the township.

Interim Superintendent Richard Caldes, who presented some of the awards, praised the efforts of those involved.

“We should have done this a lot sooner,” he said.

In addition to honoring Bergquist, the night highlighted people such as Thomas Thieme Jr., a volunteer firefighter in the Breton Woods Fire Company; Jonathan Yoursh, a fifth-grader whose kindness is so ingrained that he said he didn’t understand why he was being honored, and Ronald Brooks, a member of the Brick Township Class of 1985 who lends his voice to many events, belting out the national anthem and other songs. Brooks, who was born without legs, inspired the crowd with his story of wrestling at Brick High School despite having no legs because he had the support of people such as legendary football coach Warren Wolf, who saw the possibilities instead of limitations.

“Never, ever give up,” Brooks said, to a standing ovation.

“We can all be a hero and we can change someone’s life,” Hernandez said.

Take a look at the presenters and the recipients:

The presenters:

Richard Caldes, interim superintendent of the Brick Township School District.

Natalie Gazdowicz and Emily Falcioni, Brick students and members of the Brick Mayor’s Teen Advisory Council

Marianne Kavanaugh, assistand principal at Brick Memorial High School and student Connor Buckley

Kyle McFadden and Alexandra Popovitch of Brick Youth

Brick Memorial graduate Tyler McKelvey and Herbertsville second-grader Gavin McCue

Guidance counselors Lauren Ianniello and Marie Walling

Brick students Luke Vescovi and Carly Colabella

Brick Township High School Principal Dennis Fillipone

Kevin Mosely and David Seegert

Andrea Zapcic

The recipients:

Dennis Fillipone. The principal at Brick Township High School has been a role model and a support for students for decades. He has been at the forefront of drug awareness efforts in the schools and had a positive impact on more students than he probably realizes.

Rhonda Pandolfi-Malone. A para-professional at Warren H. Wolf Elemenary school, she has worked in the preschool disabled class in Brick for 13 years. She is volunteers for a variety of special events: Breast Cancer Walk and Fundraising, School of Sunshine Community Coordinator, Local Families of Need Fundraiser Coordinator, Week of Respect Coordinator, decorates front of the school each season and organizes Paint the Town Pink each May.

Dorcas “Dori” Prejes. Dori has been volunteering many hours every month serving the senior community in Brick. She is a valued volunteer with the Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey with whom she has done more than 2,400 hours of community service.

Liam Marino. The Lanes Mill student is battling cancer but puts the well-being and care for others above his own. He has clearly demonstrated a compassion for his peers and the community as well. He has touched many staff members and students with his kindness.

Grainne Marino. She has met the challenges of having a sibling with a severe illness with great strength and compassion. Not only does she support her brother through difficult times, but her compassion for other students is just as strong. She has developed an independence that has allowed her to grow as a student as well as a good citizen.

Gia Palleschi. The Brick Memorial senior is always willing to go the extra mile to befriend those students who appear to be loners. Gia is a peer leader and a varsity cheerleader, and can always be counted on to invite a student she sees as alone to either sit at her table at lunch or join an activity that she is involved with. Last spring, Gia offered to escort a special needs student to the Junior Prom if he wanted to attend.

Brett Novick. He has been a school social worker providing counseling, parenting programs, resources and support to children and families since 2001. He is also the Homeless Liaison and Anti-Bullying Specialist at his school, as well as the district supervisor of the Extended School Year Summer Program for special education students.

Michelle Hulsart. The owner of Standing Ovation School of Dance has used her dance school as the venue for Avery’s carnival. She and her team of volunteers organizes the event, gathers the donations, and has raised over $80,000 to help local families who are battling cancer.

Nicole Kuhl. Nicole is a fifth grade student who is very involved in her school. On a daily basis she assists the kindergarten students find their buses. She is also always attentive and helpful in the classroom. Her caring and helpful nature makes her a hero.

Jonathan Yoursh. He is the epitome of kind and gentle. He is always willing to help a friend and provide support to students if they are sad. Jonathan participates in chorus and band as well as piano lessons and shares his kind sensibilities to all.

David Torres. He is a second-grade student. He is a kind and caring student who after the Week of Respect was inspired to create a lemonade and hot chocolate stand to raise money for sick children at the Children’s Hospital. As he is learning the Six Pillars of Character in school, he displays respect, citizenship, responsibility, fairness, empathy, perseverance, trustworthiness, and leadership. He inspired his friends at taekwondo and his taekwondo master to hold a second lemonade stand at the US Taekwondo Center in Brick.

Tracey Kenney. Honored for the second year, she is a head bus driver for the Brick Township School District. She always places students first and genuinely cares about each and every one. As a head bus driver she manages all of the drivers’ concerns, parental concerns and staff concerns in a professional and timely manner.

Donovan Fraser. He is a dependable and respectful fifth grader. He can be counted on by his peers and adults alike. He is an active member of Early Act and a Student Council member at Drum Point School. Donovan’s kindness to his school community has been noticed by students and faculty alike.

Donovan Brown. He not only works hard for the school district but averages 70-80 hours per week as the Brick Ocean Beach Lifeguard captain during the summer. He is an extraordinary role model for all who have been fortunate to be in his midst. Donovan has been a consistent dedicated, hard-working employee. He remains a notable, revered celebrity to his middle school students. On his own time, he frequently stops by the Recreation Office during off-season to discuss the upcoming beach season. He would give the the shirt off his back for any youth he is in contact with and has proven his caring workmanship and humanitarianism consistently.

Olivia Hermance. She can always be found helping out a classmate in need. She’s kind, compassionate, and a genuine person. Olivia is a true hero and we hope that she inspires the other kids in Brick.

Tom Nerny. He is the president of Brick American Baseball League. He has selflessly dedicated his life to making Brick a better place for every kid who has come through the Brick American program for more than 30 years. His focus has always been to improve the experience of every player who has come through the program. Brick American has been more than a volunteer baseball program to Tom, it has become a part of his family.

Joseph Panek. He has aided dozens of Boy Scouts from Troop 6 and throughout all of Scouting in achieving their Eagle Scout status. He has helped develop organizers to help kids swiftly and efficiently get through the countless stacks of paperwork the project entails (both before and after completion), develop creative fundraising and project ideas which have helped make Brick a better community time and time again, and been an outlet for countless questions and direction, helping all these boys attain Scouting’s most rigorous and coveted rank. He has developed young leaders and guided service projects that have helped make Brick the best it can possibly be.

Tracey Oliveira. Tracey came to the United States from Brazil when she was in 4th grade. Through hard work and perseverance, she improved her English skills and strived for academic excellence. She has always acted as an “ambassador” for new students and helps them acclimate – no matter who they are or where they come from. She’s sensitive to the needs and concerns of others. She is a leader in class, is confident in expressing her opinions and standing up for what is right as she always tries to do the right thing, even if it’s not the popular thing to do.

Cheryl Cohan. She has been employed by the Brick Township Public Schools for more than 26 years. Through her time as secretary, Cheryl always gives her very best while being grossly underappreciated. She handles scheduling, rescheduling and more rescheduling of Child Study Team meetings of three schools. Cheryl has an integrity and genuine care for others that are second to none. She has been dealt some difficult cards in her lifetime. She always comes through with resiliency and conviction, determined to live a full life and provide love for others and in so doing inspires those around her.

Ethan Voorhees. A computer wiz, he has lent his expertise freely, helping teachers, staff and administrators throughout Brick Township High School with issues as they have adjusted to new computers and new operating systems. “I’ve had to send a memo to the staff reminding them that he’s supposed to be in class,” Fillipone said, because Ethan never shies away from helping.

Debbie Laird, Ginger Rheinhold and Cathy Lindenbaum. This trio has been the backbone of the Parent Teacher Association at Brick High School, keeping it vibrant at a grade level where PTA participation generally falls off. They have provided teacher grants, treats for students of the month and staff of the month and more.

Thomas Thieme Jr. He is a volunteer firefighter in the Breton Woods Fire Company. He became a junior firefighter at age 14 and while still in school went to fire academy at night and graduated fire fighter 1. He is a great example of how young people can give back to their community and make it a safer place for us all.

Ronald Brooks. Ron, a member of the Brick High School Class of 1985, is a familiar friendly face in Brick at many events. He is a customer rep at Walmart but lends his beautiful voice grace many local causes. Recently he has donated his talents to The Run for Fallen Heroes, Brick Elks Lodge, Point Pleasant Moose Lodge (Hope for Robert Santana Benefit), Lacey Elks (Army of Hope Picnic in Honor of the Fallen), just to name a few.

Pam Ruggieri. She is the main office secretary for Herbertsville School. She consistently welcomes each person that enters the busy main office with a warm smile. Every person young and old are treated with kindness and respect. She has superior work ethic, often staying after school hours to finish tasks.

John Lolla. He is the sound technician for township meetings and events, arriving well before everyone else to set up the equipment, and staying well after everyone else to pack up afterward. He is the quiet guy in the background who makes everyone look good. He arrives early, stays late and always works tirelessly on town events and projects. We have been grateful to have his help tonight at the Hero Awards and always. He is an incredible person.

Organizers issued special thanks to: Mayor Ducey, Dr. Caldes, Principal Fillipone, David Seegert, Kevin Mosely, The Mayor’s Teen Advisory Board also known as the Society of Influencers and Game Changers, Dan and the staff at Brick Recreation and Brick Township, Joanne Bergin, Enspirited Projects, The Finnegan Family, Stacey Patella, the cub scouts, John Lolla, Molly and Susan Finnegan, Rich’s Automotive, Added Touch Florist, backstage crew led by Nicole Merenda.