(508) 943-4800 Newsstand: 75 cents www.auburnnews.net Friday, June 21, 2013 THIS WEEK’S QUOTE Brunelle earns “It is through creating, positive review not possessing, that life is SUPERINTENDENT DID revealed.” ‘EXCEPTIONAL’ JOB THIS YEAR Vida D. Scudder BY CHARLES KELLEHER HARRIS NEWS CORRESPONDENT AUBURN — Auburn INSIDE Public Schools Superintendent Maryellen Brunelle is doing a good job. CALENDAR ............A12 At least that is what three recent evaluations conduct- OPINION ................A6 ed by the School Committee SENIORS ................A5 revealed. “I think your evaluation is OBITUARIES ..........A12 excellent,” School Committee Chairman Jeff PORTS S ..................A9 Lourie told Brunelle at Wednesday’s meeting (June REGION 19), “In my opinion you did an exceptional job this year.” School Committee mem- ber Elizabeth Gribbons mir- rored Lourie’s comments, Maryellen Brunelle saying, “These scores were excellent. I’m so proud of our leadership, management and district, and it reflects its Jon Gouin photos operations, family and com- leader.” munity engagement and pro- Auburn’s John Kewley, left, and D.J. Scavone show their discontent after a heart-wrenching, 12-inning, Each year the School fessional culture. 7-6 loss to Hingham in the Division 2 State Championship game. Committee is required to Ratings from one to four conduct an evaluation of the are given one meaning superintendent’s overall per- “unsatisfactory,” two mean- formance in various areas ing “needs improvement,” during the year. So close three meaning “meets stan- This year, though, they dards” and four meaning were required to complete “exceeds standards.” three separate evaluations. Not your typical ROCKETS GROUNDED IN EPIC TITLE GAME In all areas, Brunelle Each evaluation is com- received an average three or neighbors BY JON GOUIN than the typical seven innings to decide a pleted by every member of above from each member of SPORTS CORRESPONDENT the committee and then the Page A7 winner. the School Committee. average score is presented to LOWELL — Typically, in baseball, only “I’m really, really proud to be here with In the category of curricu- Brunelle. one team gets to win the final game of the this group of guys, hats off to them lum lesson development sup- In addition, School season, and this year at LeLacheur Park [Hingham] because they finally did it, we port, Brunelle received an Committee members are SPORTS that team was the Hingham High School had our chances,” said Rockets head coach average of three. able to include individual Harbormen (21-6). Eric Swedberg following the conclusion of Brunelle earned between comments on their evalua- On Saturday,June 15, the Auburn Rockets the 3 hour and 28 minute, 12-inning 3.2 and 3.5 in the areas of (20-5) met Hingham in the Division 2 State tions for Brunelle. Championship, a battle that took far more The first evaluation pre- Please Read ROCKETS, page A10 sented gauged instructional Please Read BRUNELLE, page A16 ‘I enjoy helping Captains and angels Auburn Men’s Flag FROM THE ASHES OF TRAGEDY, Football League: in any way I can’ Friends, football, AN ‘UNSTOPPABLE’ INSPIRATION PAPPAS ENJOYING TENURE and fun Page A9 AS LEADER OF RECREATION “I enjoy helping in any way I can to all different age LEARNING groups,” said Pappas, “Having grown up in this town, it is an honor to work here.” Pappas, a mother of two, graduated from Auburn High School and went on to receive a degree in health education at Worcester State College. Before taking the helm at the Department of Recreation and Culture, Pappas worked as a physi- cal education teacher at Kristen Pappas Alhuda Academy in Pakachoag students Worcester. enjoy games at BY CHARLES KELLEHER HARRIS Since becoming director, NEWS CORRESPONDENT Pappas has greatly expand- Spree Day ed the services provided by AUBURN — Recreation Photo courtesy Mike DiDonato and Culture Director the Recreation and Culture Page A4 Dick and Rick Hoyt (left) and Mike DiDonato and Kyle Brodeur at the start line of a recent Kristen Pappas is busy Department. marathon. these days — very busy. “This summer’s activities With summer vacation include a seven-week sum- OPINION only weeks away, Pappas is mer camp, two-week theater BY CHARLES KELLEHER HAR- ic,” said his mother, Lisa all ended. preparing for her busiest program, girls basketball RIS Brodeur. On Nov. 1, 1997, Kyle’s GET YOUR season. league, high school outdoor NEWS CORRESPONDENT Kyle was involved with father, Michael, his moth- pick up league, co-ed soccer, POINT ACROSS Pappas, who has been When Kyle Brodeur, of an array of activities and er and his two younger sis- director since 2008, says water color painting and enjoying the misadven- ters Kimberly and Katie PAGE A6 adult basketball,” Pappas Charlton, was 10 years old, that “lack of time” is her he was like many boys his tures that boyhood has to were driving on Route 20 biggest problem right now. said. offer. “[Department of age. HAT O O But this doesn’t detract “My son was so athlet- But in an instant, that W HAT T O D O from her joy. Please Read INSPIRATION, page A18 Please Read PAPPAS, page A16 A CALENDAR OF AREA EVENTS PAGE A12 Grant aims to prepare, train emergency volunteers BY CHARLES KELLEHER HARRIS Massachusetts Emergency Jacobson, of that number, which will make them inter- up cooling stations, which NEWS CORRESPONDENT Management Agency only around eight members operable in case of an emer- provide water and air condi- AUBURN — The town has (MEMA) for $7,500. are active and of that num- gency. tioned locales for residents applied for two different “This is a competitive ber, only five are properly CERT’s responsibilities who may not have cooling grants that will improve the grant that will provide trained. vary depending on the amenities. local emergency response training for the Community Jacobson’s hope is that emergency at hand. For CERT members can also service. Emergency Response Team with the money all CERT instance, in the face of a tor- be called upon for traffic According to Town (CERT). volunteers as well as CERT nado or hurricane, CERT control. For instance, at the Manager Julie Jacobson, The local CERT team members from neighboring may set up and staff an upcoming July 4th celebra- the town has applied for a includes some 30 volunteer towns can receive training emergency shelter. During 6 56525 10391 9 competitive grant from the members. According to from the same curriculum, heat waves, CERT often sets Please Read GRANT, page A18 2 • THE AUBURN NEWS • Friday, June 21, 2013 Local Army Ranger dies in accident BY JOY RICHARD unmatched selfless service. He tary. soon. Our thoughts and prayers STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER will forever be part of this unit According to Bartel’s services are with his family at this difficult DUDLEY — A community con- and an inspiration for the Rangers for Christopher will be held at St. time.” tinues to mourn the loss of its own of today and those yet to come. Anthony of Padua Church, 24 Dudley-Charlton Regional American hero after the acciden- Our thoughts and prayers are with Dudley Hill Road, with full mili- School Superintendent Sean tal death of Pfc. Christopher P. the Dona family.” tary honors. Calling hours will be Gilrein also expressed has sadness Dona. According to the Army, Dona at the Schofield Avenue funeral for the Dona family. He said Dona, 21, a United States Army enlisted in January of 2012. His home, times for both services are Christopher was a member of his Ranger, was a recent veteran of awards from the military include forthcoming. son’s class and Gilrein knew him the war in Afghanistan, returning the expert infantrymen’s badge, In lieu of flowers the family as a “terrific young man with from his first and only tour of the parachutist badge, the U.S. would like all donations to be great promise.” duty in May. Army expert rifle marksmanship made to militaryfriends.org. “He was a quiet, yet smart indi- According to the United States qualification badge, the Army Speaking with Shepherd Hill vidual, and while he was reserved, Army Special Operations good conduct medal, national Principal Mary Pierangeli it was he was an individual who had a Command News Service on defense service medal, clear that the entire district will positive outlook,” said Gilrein. Saturday, June 15, Dona passed Afghanistan Campaign medal, miss Christopher. “There was a bright light about away after he “was found on the Global War on Terrorism service “The entire Shepherd Hill com- him.” drop zone unconscious and with- medal, the Army service ribbon, munity is deeply saddened to Webster-Dudley Veteran’s Agent out a pulse.” and the NATO medal. According learn about Chris’s tragic death,” Richard Holewa said Dona is the According to the press release, to the release hr will be given the said Pierangeli. “He was a highly first casualty for Dudley who the incident, which took place on Army commendation medal regarded member of the Class of served in the war in Afghanistan. Thursday, June 13, is still under posthumously. 2010 and was a quiet, respectful He said he and the members of the investigation. “A superior Ranger, combat vet- young man who had a genuine local veteran’s groups will give According to the Army, Dona eran and extraordinary Christopher P. Dona concern for others. He was a good him the sendoff he truly deserves. was a member of Company D, 1st American,” said 75th Ranger honors student and completed a student, had perfect attendance for Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Regiment Commander Col. Mark year at Western New England three consecutive years, and Joy Richard may be reached at as an automatic rifleman.