Heroes, big and small, shape lives SeDoMoCha Middle School pupils hear about speakers’ role models

DOVER-FOXCROFT – Four men shared their “heroes,” people who influenced them in their lives, with eighth-grade pupils at SeDoMoCha Middle School Wednesday, as part of a weeklong character-building study.

One of the speakers familiar to the pupils said he had taken bits and pieces of “character” from different individuals over the years and used a combination of those to help him. Most influenced by his dad, SeDoMoCha Middle School Principal Paul Stearns said he was thankful for his father’s unending support. Although three generations on his father’s side had attended Bowdoin College and Harvard University and had become respected judges, Stearns told his dad that he wanted to be a physical education teacher. His father said, “Go for it.” “I’ve always respected him for doing that for me,” Stearns remarked, pausing midsentence to compose himself.

The late Sen. Margaret Chase Smith and Red Sox outfielder Carl Yastrzemski also were considered heroes by Stearns. He said Smith overcame obstacles, including a world dominated by males, to become one of the leading politicians in her time. “She had tremendous value and drive,” he said.

Stearns said he wanted nothing more in the world in his younger years than to be like Yastrzemski, who hit 44 home runs in one year for the Boston Red Sox. Then he learned that the baseball great smoked, which horrified him but made him realize that heroes are human.

The principal also found a hero in a former Guilford pupil who was handicapped but determined to do what other pupils did. When pupils were required to do a mile run, the boy hopped around the track four times and did it faster than some who ran the course, he said. “He’s been a hero to me, too,” Stearns said.

SAD 68 Superintendent of Schools John Dirnbauer said he has had a lot of heroes in his life. He expressed gratitude to his family and teachers. Dirnbauer said he also was influenced by John F. Kennedy, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Even some business executives are heroes in his mind because they have invested millions of dollars in school programs. Dirnbauer added, “We’re all shaped by the people we come in contact with day to day.”

Two other speakers, Ric Hoffman and Ben Bragdon, both of Dover-Foxcroft, said their heroes included great athletes, including some local individuals.