Holley district recognizes dentist and student for good deeds
Photo by Kristina Gabalski: Dr. Daniel Schiavone accepts a Soaring to New Heights award from Brenda Swanger, president of the Holley Board of Education.
HOLLEY – A young student and a Holley Central graduate were honored with Soaring to New Heights Awards at the Holley School Board of Education meeting Monday evening.
Elementary Principal Karri Schiavone told board members she nominated fourth-grader Sheelsy Gonzalez, who eagerly stepped up to help last week with two new students at the school. The two new students are sisters, in grades 5 and 6, who have come to the Holley School District from Puerto Rico in the wake of the devastation of Hurricane Maria, Schiavone said.
The two girls do not speak or understand English and Sheelsy, who came to Holley from Mexico at the age of five, is helping the girls to adjust by translating for them and explaining how the school day works in Holley.
Schiavone said Sheelsy has shown the girls how to navigate the cafeteria and has, “attached herself to the girls,” helping them in any way she can. Additionally, other students have taken the girls, “under their wing” and are making sure they feel welcomed, said Schiavone and Tim Artessa, assistant elementary school principal.
Sheelsy was not able to attend the board meeting to receive her award.
Board President Brenda Swanger presented the second Soaring to New Heights Award to Daniel Schiavone, a Holley Central High School graduate and dentist in the village, for his generosity to the Holley Days of Shopping and Food for Families programs.
Schiavone thanked Swanger for the award and noted that he is one of many people in the Holley community who give to those in need.
The 2017 Holley Days of Shopping took place Dec. 7 and 8 in the Elementary School primary gym. Parents and guardians were welcome to come and select a limited number of gifts, free of charge for their child. The program allows one parent or guardian to shop per child and all parents/guardians in the district are welcome to take part.
