Art II: Hometown Heros

Purpose: 'To identify the traits of positive and diverse role models who may be identified as heroes/heroines, and draw a portrait of that hero.                              

Objectives:          
• Students will consider the qualities and characteristics of heroes
• Students will identify heroes in their own life experiences or through personal research and share this information through artwork and written statement.
• Students will be challenged to foster the positive and supportive characteristics of  heroes in their own lives, and create portraits in tribute.
• Students will use grid to enlarge drawing of original photograph.
• Students will create statement explaining why their personal heros are heros!

Lyric Gonsalves.

I decided to do my Hometown Hero project on my little brother Lyric Gonsalves. Having younger siblings changes your perspective on life a lot. Sibling love is a love like no other, and it has taught me to better myself for the sake of both my sister and brother, because they look up to me more than I think. Lyric is always a positive person. I admire his innocence and the way he is always able to make me laugh. He’s so caring and is always there for the people he loves. He always knows how to cheer me up with his reassuring comments, and he says things only a little kid would say that would melt your heart. He always jokes around from the moment he gets out of bed in the morning, to the moment he goes to sleep. Even though a lot of his jokes are very random and make no sense, they never fail to make me laugh until I’m crying. My brother has kept me company throughout the long months of quarantine this year, and I have grown to learn that even though we have a six year age gap, we get along extremely well and we have so much in common. Throughout the time I worked on this project, my brother acted very unenthused and nonchalant, but I could tell that it made him happy, especially when he actually saw the final product.I know when he gets older, he’ll grow to realize how meaningful it is. I know that having this artwork in the future is going to be very important for my family and for myself. I have learned how empowering it is to dedicate a project like this to someone you love, and how motivating it is to push through and complete it. Art is a beautiful thing, especially with meaning behind it. The end result and the meaning behind the project feel so special.

Samuel Chagnon

I chose my boyfriend/ best friend, Samuel Chagnon, as my hometown hero because when I’m around him everything around me just vanishes. He makes me smile and laugh in ways no one else does. He knows how to calm me down when I’m having a panic attack, and he knows when I just need a hug. Everyday's a new adventure with him. He’s been my best friend since day one and I honestly don’t know where I would be without him. He’s the only one who has always stuck by my side, and has been there for me through everything and anything. Through the tough and easy times, I know for sure that I could always count on him. He is patient, kind, caring, and loving all around. He makes me feel like everything will be okay in this world. Hanging out with him or his siblings I know that there is a place I belong. He makes me laugh, smile, and see the good in all even when everything else is in black and white, he makes me see the color in everything. He puts up with my inner child and will sit through a whole Disney-athon with me which I totally love. I’ve never felt like I can be more myself, then when I am with Sam. He is the reason I not only smile more, but he is also the reason my self- confidence is back and the reason I'm a happier person than I was. He really has saved my life, in more ways than one. He wipes away every tear and is always there when I need someone. Samuel Chagnon is not only my hero, but he is also my best friend, my boyfriend, my rock, my world, my love, and my everything. He means the world to me and I have no idea where I would be without him. He’s the reason I got back to the old me, and the reason I am who I am today. 
Arianna D.
Donna DeTerra

 For my hometown hero I chose my mom because she is always there for me. She always helps me no matter what. She has inspired me to be the best person I can be and to always do whatever makes me happy. She helps me whenever I am stressed out about school or sports. I do want to be like my mom when I am older. She motivates me to be a better person and to be a good person to the people around me.
The hardest part of this project was to try and match the different shades of her skin and hair to make them fit with each other. The easiest part of it was the mapping out of all the features on the grid. Overall I think my project came out really good and I am proud of the work I did. 
 Chloe D.
Joshua Ryan

​The person I chose to be my ‘Hometown Hero’ is my cousin, Joshua Ryan. We’ve known each other for over a decade, and he’s been a big influence on me during my life. Josh, over these 17 long years, has helped me build a lot of confidence in myself, which has helped me make friends that I wouldn’t trade for anything. He has helped me during times where I felt as if I couldn’t talk to anyone about my issues, and through times I was stressed out of my mind. He has given me long-lasting, helpful advice that helps me through my day-to-day life, and he’s just a genuinely fun person to be around. Other than my immediate family, he is one of the people I talk to the most, and I’m thankful for him putting up with me all these years.
Samuel R.
Aaliyah Fonceca 

    I chose my sister because one day I hope to be her hometown hero and her write and draw about me, I put a city in the back to represent that she is my world. She changed my perspective from just being alive and having her as a sister it made me do everything for her. She has made me be a better me because now I think about her before I do anything and ask myself if it will affect her because I do not want her to have the childhood I had. Just her presence has helped me in every tough time because knowing she will be there when I get home is everything to me. Instead of me being inspired by her I want her to be inspired by me and become someone when she gets older. She motivates me to keep going and push through any battle I have.
Myles L.
Scott Kirby

For my hometown hero I chose my step dad, Scott, and to anyone else he’s probably just an ordinary man who has done nothing extraordinary. But to me, he is someone who can move mountains, and do anything. He is my hero.
As a small child, you were the one I told my friends about. I would brag about you all the time, maybe it was because we would play games together and you helped me with my homework like my actual dad never did. You would always sneak me candy and we would engage in tickle fights. Nothing you did was extra special but to me it meant the world. Beyond that, you were courageous and selfless. You made a wonderful life for yourself, without ever forgetting where you came from. When I tell people you’re my hero they probably ask me why. My hero doesn’t have to wear a cape or have to have powers. My hero has overcome every challenge a person could go through, and he came out better than he was before. In case I don’t tell you, I love you and I wouldn’t have chosen anyone else to be my hero. I don’t even have the words to say how much you mean to me. I have a passion and drive inside of me but you always lit the fire a little brighter. You have helped me discover that I can be pushed and exceed the limits I’ve set for myself. You have given me more hope and shown me through your own actions that there is no end to success. I have not only seen it through your drive and your victories but what you make me see in myself. I know when times get rough and I feel like I may never get better, you always push me away from the situation and you always try and find the positives. 
You have strong people behind you and beside you, but you, as one person, are stronger than an entire village. You couldn’t make me prouder of who you are even if you tried, but that’s why you know you can do it on your own and that's why you can do anything you set your mind to.When I accomplish something you’re the first one I want to tell. You are the person I go to when I need advice or just someone to listen to my life choices. With everything I’ve mentioned and the many things I’m sure I’ve forgotten to include, I want you to know that my success is my own, but I do appreciate all that you have done to get me here. I don’t know where I’d stand if I didn’t have a hero like you. So, to you, I say thank you. Thank you for being my real life superman. Thank you for giving me so much to look up to.Without you I don’t know where I would be. You were always there when I needed a shoulder to cry on. Thank you for teaching me, supporting me and loving me at my lowest. You showed me strength in ways I didn’t know existed. I will always look up to you and will always call you my hero, you deserve it. I will love you forever.
Faith B.
Kathryn Kenney

For my hometown hero, I made a portrait of my sister Kathryn. I chose to do her as my hero because I look up to her and all her successes. She has made me want to do better in school. She is always motivated and puts 100% effort into anything she does at all costs. When I’m down she always knows how to help me realize that I can be a better person. Even though I look up to her it doesn’t mean I want to be like her, I want to be my own person. But she makes me want to be a better person in the community and in school.
    The process of making this project was difficult. It was hard trying to match up all the feature to the lines that were made. After lining everything up to how it was supposed to be, it was even harder to make the features look like her. I feel like I got mad at this project because it wasn’t looking like her I made her face too big, but as soon as I started adding value in it started to represent her more.The easiest part of the project was probably adding the value because it was the easiest thing to compare it to the picture with.
Keira K.
Ryan Strumpfler

I choose Ryan Strumplfler as my hero. He is my band instructor and has given me some of the greatest pieces of advice I have gotten. His perspective on not just music, but life in general has really changed me in ways that I will remember for the reminder of my life. Ryan is a modest, hardworking and above all a really funny person, which just adds to his overall aura. He once told me,”Be more prepared than you need to be for everything.” That has made me a better student, musician, and overall person.
Nathan T.
Fionna Furtado

I chose my sister Fionna for My Home Town Hero project. Fionna is always the person I go to for advice and is always there for me. Having a twin sister is like having a sleepover with your best friend every day. She has always been the first to tell me when I was in the wrong and always keeps it real with me. She has always been her own person and it is something I’ve always admired about her. I know that Fionna will be there for me for the rest of my life and I’ll always be there for her. Some people aren’t close with their siblings but I am really happy that mine is always will be my absolute best friend.
Francheska F.
Im Yoon Ah

My hero is a talented actress and singer. She showed me that nothing is impossible with hard-working. Through this inspiration, I could overcome my hard time of drawing. When I was younger, I was sick of drawing. I was impatient to finish every single detail of my artwork. At that time, she was one of my favourite actresses. In one of her interviews, she mentioned that her talent was nothing without
hard-working. This inspired me so much. After that I learnt to be patient on drawing and improved my skills.  
Heiman L.

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Jordan Butler

I used my brother in-law Jordan because I feel he's changed my perspective on life in general, he has helped me make better decisions in my life. He texts me and tells me to “do me” and not worry about others, and he leads me in a positive direction in life. When I was going through some dark things in life he'd tell me to keep my head up and he'd give really good advice to help me look at the problem from a different perspective. When I’m older I want to be a hard worker just like him and I want to have a good mindset like him. He inspires me to be a better person.
Nicholas M.
Sarah Cedno

I chose my close friend Sarah Cedno. Growing up, I only ever had a few friends at a time and by the time sixth grade came around I had nobody. Sixth grade was a very lonely year for me; I was isolated and seen as the ‘weird kid’ in my classes. By the time the seventh grade rolled around I felt it was a hopeless endeavor to even attempt to reach out and make friends. Then, Sarah came into my life. I always saw her as one of the more popular girls so when I cracked a joke under my breath and she broke into a fit of giggles, I was quite frankly surprised. Eventually we got closer through dumb jokes and shared intrests. She started to introduce me to her friends and that is when I met my other current best friend Angelica Patino. At the end of the year we were practically inseparable. Eighth Grade was by far my favorite year of middle school simply because I had amazing friends who always supported me. We made amazing memories of playing Just Dance until the sun came up, eating Taco Bell in Sarah’s driveway after a long bike ride, exploring the woods behind my neighborhood and just having fun in general. Once my family decided to move to Massachusetts I had to break the news to her. She was devastated but wished me the best and said she would support me no matter how far away we were.  To this day we keep in contact. She is the most amazing musician and one of the most beautiful girls I’ve laid my eyes on. When I came to visit last summer, she was at my side every chance she got. She is my closest friend and I appreciate her so very much. She gave the weird kid a chance when nobody else would. I could never hope for a better friend.
Sydney F.
Michael Richardson

My “Hometown Hero” is my ninth grade history teacher, Mr. Richardson. It is hard to say whether he changed my perspective, or changed who I am, because I change far too often to pinpoint the reason why, but what he did do was allow me to make it through freshman year with little difficulty. I looked forward to his class everyday, and even when things were rough I could always expect support from his class. He was charismatic, and interesting. He didn’t beat around the bush when teaching us, he was straight and to the point. He let us have healthy discussion even if it took up class time, and permitted every one of us to flourish. It was just a really healthy, warm environment where I did well even when I wasn’t doing so hot in my other classes. Without his class, I find school to be far more dull, but I suppose that’s an unfortunate sacrifice that comes with passing grades. 
Mr. Richardson was just like us, even though he was several years older, and that was always a comfort. He related to our plights, gave us solutions to everyday problems, promoted our ideas, and, if it is reasonable to say, acted more like a parental figure to us than any of the other teachers did. There was wisdom that came from taking a different path, from experiencing more than anything we had, from natural curiosity, and I will be forever thankful for everything he taught me in the short time he had me.
Allana P.
Jamie Lynch

Lynch has changed my perspective in so many ways and has helped me see things in a much better light and help me be a happier person over all. She has taught me so much and how to take care of myself as well as love and take care of people in a way that doesn’t take away from my own well-being. Lynch has helped me through more difficult times than most others. I aspire to be like her because she is so kind and so loving and so caring. She is an amazing mother to not only her kids but she takes on a motherly role with her students as well and always has our well being in mind.
Emma P.
Christine Neville

My hometown hero is Mrs. Neville. I first had her as a teacher freshman year and after my first class with her, I knew I needed to have her as a teacher every chance I got. She has always taken me under her wing, helping me with whatever whenever. She’s made me find a passion for photography and learning more about it. She has motivated me and pushed me to do more and go beyond what I thought I was capable of. She has always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. She puts in the extra effort to make sure students leave the classroom understanding, and learning something new. I aspire to be how hardworking, loving, caring, and motivated Mrs. Neville is. Mrs. Neville is one of the most influential people I’ve met and for whoever doesn’t know her is missing out on an amazing, and kindhearted soul. 
Kenna C.
Monica Lee Rodrigues

To me Monica Lee Rodrigues is something similar to comfort, something close to what I call home. Having known her prior to being able to speak, I would say we’re quite close. Almost every weekend of my life has been spent blinking tears out of my eyes, and trying desperately to regain my breath after fits of cackling together with her. However, I did not choose to draw Monica because she’s hilarious, or because she’s intelligent, or beautiful, or maybe the most talented and likable person I’ve ever had the honor of meeting. I chose her because during all the times my tears did not come from laughter, and all the moments that I don’t like to remember; she sat with me and held my hand. I knew she would be perfect for this because when I looked back on my story, I realized that she was the only person that was not only in it, but helped write it. She has always encouraged me, lifted me up, and made me so proud to play a role in her life. I only hope that I will always return the favor, always make her laugh, and always make sure she knows the immense amount that she means to me. Thank you Monrod, for being my hero.

Alice M.
Denise Silva

    I chose my mother, Denise Silva, as my hometown hero because she made me the person I am today. My mother recently committed suicide in May and I saw this project as a way of spending time with her. While my mom was alive she was the most outgoing and generous person to anyone. She put everyone else’s needs before hers. My mom loved going on family vacations and made sure we went on one at least two times a year. She just loved to always be on the move and have fun. She worked as an accountant for PACE in downtown New Bedford for pretty much all of her life. Despite work she always made the time for me. From bringing me to all my basketball tournaments and practices, making the best dinner every night, calming me down when I would get mad, to cheering me up when I was bummed. She did every little thing in her power to make me happy and to make sure I was always doing my best in everything. She brought out the good side to me.

Jacob S.
Chelsey Goldrick

    I chose to do my project on Chelsey Goldrick, because she is not only my cousin but my best friend. She has done so much for me and I know she will always be here for me in both good and bad times. She also make me a better person because I am there for her whenever she needs me. She looks up to me as her older cousin and I honestly look up to her too even though she is younger. Blood couldn't make us any closer.  I still will always love and appreciate her in ways I couldn’t with anyone else.

Victoria P.
Conrad Roy III

    My drawing is of my cousin Conrad Roy III, I was close to him, and we got along very well. My other cousins were close to him as well. But then he committed suicide in Fairhaven in 2014. His death affected my life in a negative way for almost two years. But then began to change how I treat others, how I responded when someone was in a negative state. Now, his death changed my life and my other cousins lives in a good way. Which is why I call Conrad my hero. In honor of Conrad's life there is a chance to create awareness,  changing people in a good way, which can help others be a better person than they were before.

Kyle B.
 José Altuve

The person I drew as my hero was José Altuve. I am one of the smallest kids in the grade and people make a lot of jokes about my height. However these jokes have never hurt my feelings because I know small people can achieve great things. This perspective comes from José Altuve being one of the smallest but best baseball players in the league. This view allows me to be comfortable with myself. I admire his hardworking personality that has inspired me to always try best no matter the situation. He has inspired me to work hard and put myself out there. Without his hardwork and success I would be really uncomfortable with my height and take jokes really offensive and painful, that is why José Altuve is my hero.

Colby B.
Jennifer Brown

The person I selected as my hero was my mother, Jennifer Brown. I selected my mom as my hero because she raised me, and she was responsible for most of my views of the world. As a child, she always encouraged me to try new things and become a well-rounded person. She taught me that education was important, and I treated my education seriously because of it. She always encouraged me and my siblings when we were doing well in school. During high school, she supported me in sports coming to games and meets. She is hardworking and caring, and she is someone that I look up to. That is why she is my hometown hero.

Nicholas B.
Duncan Stewart

Duncan Stewart is a gentleman and a scholar. He is man who is not afraid to display his intellect, yet keeps it hidden away for most of the time for clout. Smart people can’t get clout unless you are Elon Musk. Duncan can finesse like a god, yet he worries not about the feeble desires of any normal man. He focuses instead on the moment. A true man of transcendentalism. Truly on the level of enlightenment of Lu Sheng-yen, Acharya Rajneesh, or even the great Buddha himself. Even writing this paragraph, I quiver in fear of the shear power of this man, but he would never hurt a soul. And the is why he is my hero: he has the means to be worshipped, and yet humbly withdraws himself from the limelight whenever he gets the chance. On the day this picture was taken we weren’t doing anything. Nothing! How brilliant of a man is he! It think of Duncan not only as a man, but as an ideology. It is the idea of being able to, but not. It is a beautiful and powerful ability; and that is why Duncan Stewart is my hero.

Andrew D.
Jody Tavares

For my Hometown Hero I decided to pick my mom, Jody Tavares. I chose my mom because she is the most independent, hard working, selfless woman I know. I truly do not understand how my mom manages to balance all she does including working a full time as well as a part time job, going to school to get her master’s degree, raising four children, and being on two town committees. This is a reason why I picked a photo of her with her cap on from graduating with her bachelor’s degree, because she will be graduating this spring with her master’s degree. She shows me that anything is possible and not to give up. Jody has the most GRIT and determination which has given her a successful life. I hope to be half the woman my mom is one day.

Elyse R.
Dylan Fonseca

    To me, a hero is someone who puts others before themselves. They have a huge heart and they always try to lend a helping hand. In my life, my hero is Dylan Fonseca. Dylan has changed my perspective on people and has shown me true happiness. He helped me out of a bad place and has always been there for me through my ups and downs. He is one of the most influential people in my life and has brought joy and light into my life. No matter what I am going through Dylan is always there for me, and that is why he is my hometown hero.

Madison S.
Lauren Bernardo

For my hometown hero I chose my sister, Lauren Bernardo. She is the funniest, smartest, sassiest 12 year old you will ever meet. She is always there for her friends and family. She has taught me to give to others even though you may not get something in return. She goes out of her way to make sure everyone is okay. She is the most hardworking kid I know, and is always eager to learn more. She is my hero because she makes me laugh in any type of situation, and makes me want to be a better person, and role model for her. She always makes sure that I am doing the right thing, and pushes me to be a better person overall. She is my absolute best friend.


Olivia B.
Kayla Cosmo

    My Home Town hero is my sister Kayla. I look up to her because she is smart, independent, determined and no matter what tough times she goes through, she always manages to push through doing the best that she can. Kayla put hard work through many years of nursing school and succeeded. We have been through many experiences and whether we are on good or bad terms we always are brought back together. She is always there for me when I need her, protective and is willing to do almost anything for me.

Kelsey C.
Alex Dunwoodie

    For my project I decided to draw my aunt, Alex Dunwoodie. She inspires me as an artist with her work. She has paintings on display in multiple galleries and sells artwork in her free time. Her oil paintings could pass off as photos because of how detailed and realistic they are, but she’s also shown me how tough and time consuming they can be to paint. She’s helped me work rough patches with certain projects that I don’t feel too confident making, such as water color, and has proven that not all artists enjoy every type of art. During the summer she taught me how to use oil paints and I was instantly hooked, but I didn’t realize just how long it would take to fully dry. I had to be patient, which was hard but worth it in end. Overall, I look up to an aspire to be like her in the future.

Braley V.

Chloe/Toni Robar

The reason my girlfriend is my hero is because she is way more important to me than anyone one else besides my best friend. The reason she is so important to me is because she talks to me when I need her to, loving me for who I am, and making me feel like I'm wanted by someone. She’s been struggling with cancer for a while now and has been living her life as positively as she can. She has maintained her strength even during last summer when one of her best friends ended her life, which made her feel more depressed. I have tried my best to help her with the struggles at hand and hope to enlighten her motivation. We have grown closer to each other everyday and hope to see each other because she only lives in Vermont but is about 2 hours away or so.

Brandon C.
Jamie Hewlett

    Jamie Hewlett is the co-creator of the well known virtual band, Gorillaz, director of the opera Monkey: journey to the West, and co-creator of the comic cook series Tank-Girl. Jamie is very well known for his style of art. People often praise him for his originality and creativity in his art and stories; even the creator of Ren and Stimpy, John K., commented about how his style was incredibly unique compared to so many other cartoonists. Hewlett not only has a distinct and original art style, he also preaches about individualism, free will, and originality in art in a very down to earth sort of fashion. Jamie also warns people that an ego can be a dangerous thing. From experience, people go up to him and say how amazing his art is, that he’s on the level of Picasso, however, he appreciates all compliments but stays humble and I really respect that about him. Hewlett inspires me because of his art but also what he stands for and it inspires me. I always worried whether or not people would like my art and I felt like I needed to stay in the boundaries of what people liked. But from listening and reading his interviews, I learned I didn’t need to do that. It was okay to do what i wanted in art and I could break away from those boundaries I boxed myself in.

April B.
Iskandar Sarkis

    For my hometown hero, I chose my father. He grew up in Lebanon and came from practically nothing. With barely any money, his parents had to find a way to put food on the table for him and his seven other siblings. Despite his setbacks, he worked hard and eventually migrated to the United States at the age of twenty-five, not knowing a word of English. His hard work paid off and eventually he built up everything he has today. Now, he is very successful and has started a family; not to mention he is the most humble man I know. I am proud to have such a father like him and I admire his work ethic and morals.

Aline S.
Jessica Budreau

    Jessica is my home town hero because she taught me a lot of life lessons and was there for me when I  needed her the most. She always worked hard to provide for her family. She worked with mentally challenged adults and helped them. She was always there for her friends and family, and she definitely taught me to give to others even though you might not receive. She taught me that imperfections are perfect. Jessica showed me what a real friend should be like, we had our ups and downs but she was always there for me and helped me so much through a personal problem. She is my home town hero because she taught me so much about life even though her time was short.

Melissa S.
Jaqueline Costa            
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    My mom, Jaqueline Costa, is one of the most important people in my life. My mom has positively influenced me so much as a person. Every day, she tries to look at life optimistically. She always encourages me to look on the bright side, even when times are tough. 2016 was a rough year for both of us, but she approached each day with an open mind. It was so much easier to get through such a stressful year with her constantly reassuring me that life would get better and that 2017 would be a massive improvement. Whenever I am in any kind of slump, whether it be with grades, emotions, or art, she pushes me forward so I can regain my motivation. My mom is also one of the biggest supporters of my love for art. She is constantly encouraging me to draw more and improve. Often, I have found myself uncertain about pursuing a career in art because of the stigma around “struggling artists”. I get good grades, so sometimes others convince me that I am “wasting my potential” when I say I’d like to be a storyboard artist. My mom has never made me feel this way. She always tells me to pursue what I love and look for happiness in my life. Her encouragement has pushed me not to give up on my dreams. My whole life, my mom has taken care of me and given me everything I need. I am so grateful to have someone so supportive and encouraging in my life. The constant positivity that my mom brings everywhere she goes makes me proud to call her my personal hero.

Samantha C.
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​Corrina Kucera

    Corrina Kucera, one of the most selfless, caring, and amazing women on this planet. At 18, fresh out of high-school, she helped me escape abuse and start to live a better life. Taking on such adult responsibilities at such a young age was a struggle for her, and that’s why I applaud her. Between splitting rent with me in her first apartment, struggling with people who weren’t worth the effort, and coping with the abuse from our previous lives, she pushed through and helped me do the same. Though I helped to break her out of her shell, she helped me survive. She helped me live my life and, without her, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
I love you Renis, and I always will.

Trinity L.
Lucy Duarte
    
    A hero is someone who positively influences the lives of others, and my mom does just that, especially my life. My mom is my hero because she motivates me to be a better person everyday. She’s always been so supportive of me with everything I do and she’s always cheering me on. On top of being my biggest motivator, she’s so selfless and caring and always puts me and my brother first, I don’t know how she does it. I can tell her anything and everything and she always knows what to say to make things better, she’s one of my best friends. She’s gone through so much and has so much to deal with and still manages to make time for everyone else. My mom is my role model and I hope to grow up to be as strong, selfless, and wise as she is someday.

Kaitlyn D.
Jose Borges

    Jose is my little brother and he is my hero. He is the best person I know. He always knows how to make me laugh and he is so kind. I adore him and would do anything to protect him. He is so adorable. He is my forever hero.

Jayleana B.
Austin-John Freitas

    My hero is my boyfriend, AJ.  He’s patient, caring, hardworking, and driven. He has the patience to listen intently to the long drawn out stories of his baby sisters. He is always trying to help out his family and friends, listening to their problems and offering help when he can. He joined the Air Force and plans to make a career out of it. He is continually working to better himself as he serves his country. He is supports me in everything I do and encourages me to try new things and to better myself. He’s my best friend and my hero.

Rhianna D.
Arthur Moniz

    My hero is Arthur Moniz. He is my hero because of his success as a painter. We have a collection of Arthur’s paintings in my home.  It also seems that there are lot of places that I go to seems to have paintings by Arthur Moniz, there are even paintings of his here at Fairhaven High.  Arthur Moniz is very well known in the Fairhaven and New Bedford area. Arthur has his own gallery in downtown New Bedford where he sells most of his paintings. He is my hero because it seems like he has a pretty nice life, he lives in a nice house and he paints for a living and also has a nice family. Arthur has a pretty chill life doing what he loves and that is something that I would like to be doing when I am older.

Ian G.
Thomas McElroy

    My hero is my Uncle, Thomas McElroy. He was the best friend of my father and mother and even though we were not related, he still treated us like family. He was always the first person I went to when I needed guidance and help with my faith. He was the Priest of Saint Joseph's Church in Fairhaven and a friend to all. He passed on very recently and I hope that the memory of him will live on in the hearts of everyone that knew him.

Justin D.
Jaden Velez

    My hometown hero is my best friend, Jaden Velez. She inspires me all of the time. After going through so much at home and school she is still able to be happy and to make others happy. She is hardworking and one of the most generous people I know. Jaden would do anything to help others out and would go out of her way for them. I look up to her for all of these reasons. Plus, she will always listen and give advice whenever you need it.

Heaven S.
Riley Bouley


My hero is Riley Bouley, he is my hero because he is always there for me when I need someone to talk to. We always have fun and never fight. We've been friends since 9th grade and we hang out all the time. He supports me whenever I do something. Sometimes he can be a handful but he always means well.

Paige S.
Jim Stevens

    My hero is a man named Jim Stevens. Jim is the founder/CEO of the charity GiftsToGive, which is currently based out of Acushnet, my own hometown. I first met Jim about three and a half years ago. My 7th grade class went on a field trip to the GiftsToGive factory, to volunteer. I’d just been inducted into National Junior Honors Society, I was grateful to find a place to spend my time volunteering. .  On my first day volunteering independently, I met Jim, he assigned myself and my mom to filing orders, a task usually reserved for long-time or employed volunteers. In short, an order is a form requesting items, usually clothes and toys, for children in need. I fell in love with the job- three and a half years later, I am now considered staff at the factory.
    Admittedly, I was scared of Jim at first. He’s tall and sort of… stern looking. In time though, I found myself interacting more closely with him. He is an amazing man. Jim gives frequent tours of the factory, to volunteering groups. I have often found myself listening in on these tours. A frequent point Jim touches on is the power of youth to make change. He believes that the next generation has power and influence, that we (I say we, because it is my generation he is talking about) have potential to shape the world for the better. Needless to say, I love this.
    Jim has inspired me to change the world for the better in any way I can. He is such a positive role model to me and to many kids like me. Jim believes in the good of everybody- that we all have Gifts to Give.

Olivia M.
Cheryl DeSouza

    My mom is my personal hero because she perseveres. When I was young, we struggled a lot; my mom had to find a way to adjust to the difficult situations that arose. She always kept a brave face and tried to give me the best childhood possible. It did not matter where we were, she always made sure that we were happy and healthy and safe. My mother is resilient, she has not allowed difficulties or bumps in the road to stop her from being the best mom that she could be and for that, she is my hero.

Kathryn B.
Zachary Guillotte

    I am my own hero. I persevere to be the best I can be. I was bullied until the 7th grade. After that I promised myself to get good grades,start lifting weight, and improving my sports skills . I’ve have retained skills and I have attended football camps and even football school during the summer. I have replaced my relaxed approach with hard work and dedication.

Zachary G.