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VOL. 86 NO. 151
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“Time is The only criTic wiThouT ambiTion.” JOHN STEINBECK
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TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017
City teen ‘earns’ congressional recognition By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-Mikayla Steele was one of 373 young people across the country who recently “earned” the highest honor Congress bestows upon a youth civilian – The Congressional Award Gold Medal. Steele was joined by her parents, Rev. Jason S. Steele and Sandra Steele, and her adviser, Jen Lavoine, on June 21 during the award ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center’s Congressional Auditorium in Washington, D.C. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer served as Master of Ceremonies as members of the Senate and House presented their constituents with the award. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, presented Steele with her award. “I was thrilled to be in DC last week to congratulate Mikayla Steele from Westfield for winning the Congressional Gold Medal Award,” said Neal. “It is so important to recognize young adults of her caliber who are doing such great work in their communities. They are the future and I am happy to pro-
mote their success.” For a minimum of two years, each gold medalist logs at least 800 hours across four program areas – voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration. The 2017 Gold Medal class was the largest in the program’s 38-year history – representing 178,384 service hours, 164,534 fitness hours, 3,357 days of exploration, 408,362 development hours, and 175 youth-service organization partners. Established by Congress as a public-private partnership in 1979 under Public Law 96-114, the program encourages and recognizes initiative, service, and achievement in youth ages 14 to 23. As participants successfully achieve their goals, they earn bronze, silver, and gold certificates and medals. After observing her sister Cassandra’s perseverance in earning the gold medal in 2015, Steele was all in. “We were more surprised she wanted to pursue it since it seemed like a daunting task,” said Rev. Steele during a recent morning interview in their home on Gloria Drive.
Steele noted that once she discovered what she was “passionate” about, setting goals on ways to enrich her community and better herself fell into place. With several members of her family touched by cancer – her first project under “volunteer public service” – was creating caps for women who had experienced hair loss since two of her aunts and her greatgrandmothers had experienced breast cancer. “I raised funds to purchase soft, bamboo yarn, organized a knitting event at Christ The King Church on Russell Road, and knitted more than 50 caps,” said Steele, noting that after several local organizations did not choose to accept the caps, she reached out to the national organization, Knots of Love. “The knitting event included my friends and church members who wanted to learn how to knit,” she said, noting she was able to send 62 caps in all to Knots of Love. “The organization provides caps to women at the D’Amour Cancer Center in Springfield
(Submitted photo)
See Steele, Page 3
Church Street demolition bid chosen
Band marks rock ‘n roll milestone By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-Since the Summer of Love – 1967 – Cory DeGray and the Knightsmen Band have been making music – and relishing every moment. That love for performing was center stage on Friday night at the Westfield Senior Center as a packed cafeteria cheered on the legendary band during a 90-minute rock ‘n roll concert that celebrated fathers, grandfathers, godfathers and father figures in our lives. During last-minute sound checks before the concert started at 6 p.m., DeGray and his fellow musicians shared their thoughts on what makes this band so special. “When the band started we played country music,” said DeGray, noting that during performances he would also receive requests for songs from the 50’s and 60’s and knew they needed to add them to their song list. “If we didn’t know the song, we spent time learning it,” said DeGray, who is also known around the city as the owner of DeGray’s Service Inc., an auto and repair shop on Meadow Street – now in its 42nd year of business. DeGray and his wife See Milestone, Page 8
Cory DeGray, founder of the Knightsmen Band, marks 50 years this summer in the music business.
Congressional Award Gold Medal winner Mikayla Steele of Westfield is seen with her adviser, Jen Lavoine, in Washington, D.C.
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—A winning bid has been chosen for the demolition of the former Romani’s Bowling Alley site on Church Street. The Westfield Redevelopment Authority (WRA) voted last Friday to allow the city’s purchasing agent to award the contract for demolition to the lowest bidder, Springfield-based Associated Building Wreckers. The company was one of five who provided qualified bids. According to Joe Mitchell, city advancement coordinator for Westfield, the demolition is expected to begin within the next two weeks, See Demolition, Page 3
Christian Verdon receives a bronze medal at SkillsUSA national competition. (Photo submitted)
Christian Verdon being tested on electric wiring at nationals. (Photo submitted)
‘Top dog in Mass and third in the nation’ By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – “Top dog in Mass. and third in the nation,” is how SkillsUSA advisor Maureen Baillargeon described Westfield Technical Academy senior (Class of ’17) Christian Verdon of West Springfield, after he received a bronze medal in the national SkillsUSA tournament in Louisville, Kentucky last week. Verdon and fellow graduating senior Kyle Hadley participated in the national tournament after placing gold in electrical wiring and automotive service respectively in the SkillsUSA state competition in Marlboro in April. For Verdon, it was his second gold state medal, and second trip to the nationals. Hadley participated for the first time in SkillsUSA competitions this year. “I was more prepared, knew what I was in for,” Verdon said about his second trip to the nationals. He said on the first day, he was tested on pipe bending, trouble shooting, logic diagram and an interview. He also had a written exam on the electrical code and math. On the second day, Verdon said he was given a line diagram. He had to lay it out, build it and wire it completely in six hours. He said only four out of twenty competitors were able to finish the project.
Hadley competed against 50 finalists in his first year of SkillsUSA competition. It was also the first trip to the nationals for Baillargeon. “It was the first time for me. It was awesome,” she said, describing what she called “the thrill of competition.” She said the boys were competent, and focused on their tasks. “My chaperoning job was very easy. They were one step ahead of me,” she said. For example, she told them to meet her at 7:30 a.m., and when she knocked on their doors at 7:31, found they were already down in the lobby waiting for her. “They did a great job,” she said. On the last day, Verdon said he didn’t know that he had placed until they called his name during the awards assembly. “It was really exciting when they called him,” Baillargeon said. Besides the bronze medal, Verdon received a tool box and tools worth $1,700. He also received a full scholarship to Lincoln Tech, which has a campus in East Windsor, CT. Verdon said he plans to attend. “I’m not sure if I’m going for electrical or HVAC,” he said. Since graduating, Verdon is working full-time at MCL Mechanical Services in West Springfield, where he began working during a co-op for See SkillsUSA, Page 3
Elm Street Urban Renewal (WNG file photo)
Crumb rubber moratorium resolution heading to city council By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The Westfield City Council is expected to vote on a moratorium on the use of crumb rubber on city property next week, after the Council’s Natural Resources Committee voted to recommend the city adopt a resolution regarding the material yesterday. The Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously to bring the resolution to city council during their next meeting July 6. If successful, the resolution would place a three-year resolution on “the construction or installation of certain synthetic See Crumb Rubber, Page 3