| Middle school soccer coach Frank Angelo, second from right, was one of two Light the Spark Award recipients last week. He posed for a photo with his family, Donna Danielewski and Director of Student Services Ryan Place, following the award ceremony on Dec. 5. (Photo courtesy Medway Public Schools) |
MEDWAY — Superintendent Armand Pires and Director of Student Services Ryan Place are pleased to recognize two members of the Medway community who received the Light the Spark Award last week.
The award acknowledges community members who are not professional educators or school staff but who see and celebrate the spark in children and families and help it to shine more brightly, benefiting the child, their family, their peers and the Medway community. The nominators are families with students with exceptional needs, on an IEP or 504, to recognize those individuals (non-educators) who have made a difference.
The award is in honor of Kathleen B. Thomsen, the late grandmother of three Medway students, who never failed to recognize and celebrate the spark in those around her and who — with what seemed the smallest of gestures — helped it shine more brightly for all to see.
The award was first given out in 2019 and is sponsored by the Danielewski-Thomsen family, whose children have been supported at Medway Public Schools.
Frank Angelo and Lisa Conley were presented with the Light the Spark Award on Dec. 5.
“Congratulations to Frank Angelo and Lisa Conley on being this year’s Light the Spark Award recipients,” said Superintendent Pires. “Both have demonstrated great care for our students and a true dedication to our school community and have made a lasting impact on the overall well-being of our educational environment.”
“I think they really embody what this community is looking for,” said Director of Student Services Place. “People coming together, working together, making sure students have everything they need and achieving success to their highest ability. We look for our students to have these types of abilities; these are all the things we teach to our kids.”
Frank Angelo
Middle school soccer coach Frank Angelo was nominated by Shannon Hanegan.
“I am honored to nominate Frank Angelo for the Light the Spark award, which celebrates the rare ability to see, nurture, and amplify each child’s unique spark,” Hanegan wrote in her nomination letter. “Coach Frank is an extraordinary middle school soccer coach whose approach reaches into the hearts and minds of each player. He has an extraordinary gift for seeing beyond the game, touching lives in ways that extend far beyond the field.”
According to Hanegan, Coach Frank not only provides his players with soccer skills, “but also builds confidence, resilience, and self-worth in each player, honoring their individuality and creating an environment where everyone feels seen, understood, and valued.”
“From the first day of practice, Coach Frank goes out of his way to understand each player as an individual, taking the time to learn about their strengths, challenges, and personal goals,” Hanegan wrote. “He has a natural gift for recognizing when a child needs encouragement or a challenge, when they’re ready to lead or to take a step back. This approach builds confidence not only in the child’s athletic abilities, but in their self-worth and potential as a whole. Parents speak of Coach Frank as someone who ‘gets’ their child, who reaches across differences to understand and nurture the best in each player, leaving an indelible impact that extends beyond the soccer season.”
Coach Frank was a perfect candidate for the Light the Spark Award, according to Hanegan, because “he truly exemplifies what it means to see, celebrate, and amplify the unique light in each child.”
“Through every word of encouragement, every tailored approach, and every celebration of each child’s unique spark, Frank Angelo truly embodies what it means to honor and lift up our community’s children,” Hanegan wrote.
Lisa Conley
Tutor Lisa Conley was nominated by Kerry McCarthy.
According to McCarthy, Conley “has made an incredible difference” in her son Colin’s life since she joined them “through Club Z, a tutoring organization based in Massachusetts.”
“Though Lisa doesn’t have a special education background, she has approached her role with genuine care, openness, and dedication to learning,” McCarthy wrote in her nomination letter. “As Colin’s mother and 1:1 aide, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Lisa. Together, we’ve developed methods to maximize Colin’s abilities, including assistive technology, sign language, and personalized strategies. Lisa’s eagerness to learn has been remarkable; she’s always willing to understand new approaches to connect with and support Colin.”
Conley’s efforts have reached beyond the classroom.
“Lisa stands out as more than a tutor,” McCarthy wrote. “She has developed a robust, tailored program that includes life skills, arts and crafts, and academics, all of which help Colin retain what he learns, even as he faces the challenges of Down syndrome regression disorder. Despite the repetition required for each session, Lisa brings energy, patience, and optimism, often reminding me to let Colin try on his own, reinforcing his independence and confidence. Witnessing Colin achieve small victories under Lisa’s guidance has been deeply moving for us both.”
As young Colin grew closer to his tutor, McCarthy said she witnessed something special unfold.
“Their bond has grown into something extraordinary,” McCarthy wrote. “Lisa understands Colin’s unique way of communicating, and it often seems like they have their own language. It’s rare to find someone who connects so profoundly with a child who is mostly nonverbal, and her compassion and commitment have become invaluable to Colin’s progress and our family’s journey.”
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| Tutor Lisa Conley, second from right, was one of two Light the Spark Award recipients last week. She posed for a photo with her student, Colin McCarthy, Donna Danielewski and Director of Student Services Ryan Place, following the award ceremony on Dec. 5. (Photo courtesy Medway Public Schools) |