Hayden & Adam

2020 marks the 9th year two 5th grade students from Veterans Park School were honored by receiving the Gus Adamopoulos Award. This special award is given each year in memory of Gus, a Veterans Park student, who lost his life in a tragic boating accident in August 2010; the summer before beginning 5th grade. 

Each year, in the spring, 5th grade students are asked to nominate classmates who emulate the positive qualities and characteristics that Gus demonstrated.  Staff are then entrusted with the task of reading each nomination and choosing the two recipients. 

The two students chosen this year to receive this coveted honor are Hayden Forrant-Morin and Adam Riley.

This year, like so many other school events, the 5th grade graduation was being held virtually, meaning this year’s recipients would not be walking across the LHS stage, to receive their award in front of their classmates, as traditionally done in past years.  

Having been Gus's 2nd grade teacher, Veterans Park Principal Melissa Knowles, has a special fondness for this award and was compelled to find a way to personalize and share this exceptional honor with the recipients.

“Gus was a remarkable boy. He was genuinely kind, hard working and always thinking of others,” said Knowles.  “Qualities that we now call Vets Park PRIDE, and are also inherent in this year’s recipients.” 

“It was important to me that this accomplishment be memorable for both Hayden, Adam and their families,” said Knowles.  “I wanted each of them to know how special they are to have been chosen for this honor and how proud the Vets Park community is of them. So together with the help of Gus’s dad (Jim Adamopoulos) and some of their teachers we took the presentation, Vets Park PRIDE and our congratulations, to them!” 

When learning she was one of this year’s recipients Hayden was filled with an array of emotions.

“I was really surprised, and started to cry, but was happy because I knew there were many other kids deserving of the award,” commented Hayden. 

“I was really shocked and so very happy to see all of my teachers, and Mrs. Knowles, come to my house to give me my award,” said Hayden. “I started to tear up because I was amazed at what they did for me. I also was very glad to meet Gus's dad.”

Like his classmate, Adam was also filled with several emotions when learning of his selection.

“There are tons of people who could have won this award so when I realized I was one of the recipient’s I felt astonished and excited,” shared Adam. 

“It felt good to see Mrs. Knowles and meet Mr. Adamopoulos,” said Adam, who was enjoying family time at a local ice cream stand when he spotted his principal walking towards him with balloons. 

“I also felt very proud knowing Gus’s dad wanted to give the award that honors his son, to me, in person,” added Adam. 

“Having Adam as a student and watching him grow over this year has been such a pleasure,” shared his 5th grade ELA teacher, Amy Brown.  “He carries his positivity, empathy, and perseverance with him wherever he goes, in his academics, sports, and social activities, making him very deserving of this recognition.”

“I'm excited to follow his adventures as he moves forward to middle school and beyond,” added Brown.

“Adam is very deserving of this award,” said his 5th grade Math/Science teacher Sarah Belson. “He is a great all around kid who is respectful of adults, supportive of peers, active in sports and maintains a great sense of humor about life. I am so appreciative that he was a member of my classroom community.”

“Noticing others' kindness and seeing everyone for their positive strengths is what Hayden reminds us all to do,”  said her 5th grade Math/Science teacher, Christine James.

“Students often say, there's always room with Hayden at recess or the cafeteria,” said James. “This is Hayden. She always makes room in her heart for others, and with Hayden, kindness always leads the way.”

As these now 6th graders head to Baird Middle School in the fall all who know Adam and Haley are confident they will continue emulating Gus’s legacy and honor his memory by staying positive, always helping others, being accepting of everyone, never giving up, reminding others there is always good and happiness in the darkest of times and encouraging and treating others with kindness. 

 CONGRATULATIONS!

Hayden & Adam with Mrs. Knowles and Mr. Adamopoulos.

Hayden with her family and Vets Park teachers.

Adam with his family.