This year’s Rindge Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year are the epitome of everything great about the town of Rindge, according to those who presented the awards during the town’s tree lighting ceremony on Friday.
The 2018 Citizen of the Year Heidi Graff has left her mark on the community through the Jaffrey-Rindge School District as a former Spanish teacher at Rindge Memorial School and more recently as a school board member among other things, according to award presenter Greg Hodgson of the Rindge Athletic Men’s Social Club (R.A.M.S.) – one of two organizations that hands out the annual awards in addition to TD Bank in Rindge.
“Heidi exemplifies what it means to be a good neighbor and a good citizen, whether caring for those who live next to her or those in Mexico,” Hodgson said. Hodgson said the Graff family takes an annual mission trip to Mexico through their church to help those in need.
“I really care about the quality of education in our towns. We are a small school and I feel passionately about giving students a quality education,” said Graff in a press release from the school district after being elected to the school board in March. “We need to do our best to prepare students for their future after graduation, whether that means immediate employment or attending a two-year or four-year institution of higher education.”
In addition to her work with the school district, Graff has been an avid supporter of the music, arts, and recreational programming throughout town.
“When I approached her after she received the award, her first reaction was to mention other people in town that she thought were deserving of the award,” Hodgson said. “That typifies her, she was quick to acknowledge that there are so many wonderful, giving people in Rindge. She’s humble and unassuming.”
Graff is actually the second person in her family to be honored at the annual tree lighting ceremony, as her daughter Elizabeth Graff was named Young Citizen of the Year in 2017.
“It’s easy to see where her three daughters get their hearts to serve,” Hodgson said.
This year’s Young Citizen of the Year award recipient Hannah Bernier is a lifelong resident of Rindge and a senior at Conant High School.
“She has a great heart for those with special needs and with healthcare needs, which is leading her to study nursing following her graduation from Conant this spring,” Monika Diab, store manager of TD Bank in Rindge, said. “If you have ever met Hannah, what you will remember most is her enthusiasm and love for others.”
Both Diab and Hodgson said Bernier has drawn comparisons to Hammy – an energetic, friendly, and curious red squirrel voiced by Steve Carrell in the the 2006 computer-animated film “Over The Hedge.”
“She’s almost ad nauseam encouraging,” Hodgson said. “She’s such a delightful, plentiful, and positive person.”
Bernier is involved in a number of activities and initiatives in the community, including Conant High School’s Interact Club, school plays (both dramas and musicals), her church’s youth group, the Monadnock Mountaineers 4-H Club, and as a babysitter.
Hodgson – who is the director at Toah Nipi, a Christian-based retreat and camping center located in Rindge – said Bernier works at Toah Nipi cooking and cleaning.
“She typifies the involvement factor in community service, whether at school or within the community at large,” Hodgson said.
As with every year, the 2018 class of recipients showcased the best the town of Rindge has to offer.
“I’ve been blessed to know both of these individuals for years,” Diab said. “They exemplify in their day to day lives what is best about living in the town of Rindge.”
Hodgson said worthy recipients always end up emerging every year, but that didn’t stop him from putting out a call for the next crop of candidates during an interview Monday.
“What’s most difficult is to get people to put others forward,” Hodgson said. “We often lack on folks within the community saying this is a deserving individual.”
The awards are handed out annually at the town’s tree lighting ceremony, typically held on the first Friday in December.
The awards are given to a citizen and young citizen that exhibit strong values and has made lasting contributions to the town.
The event also features singing, desserts and hot chocolate, fireworks from Atlas Pyrovision Entertainment Group, Inc., and an appearance from Santa himself.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com.