There were many heartwarming moments during the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce Kickoff Dinner and Community Awards Night held Jan. 23 at the Hyatt Harborside, Logan Airport. We could sense that Attorney Jerome Falbo (Lifetime Achievement) and Bob Driscoll Sr. (Community Service) were truly touched by receiving their awards in recognition of get ready for this — their nine decades of combined service to our town and the Airport Hazards Committee, among other boards.
One of the moments we enjoyed was when Christine Millerick — who was set to make a presentation to the Blackstrap BBQ as the Business of the Year — spoke of the great education her daughters had received from being in Mrs. Dawn Letterie’s class. Millerick said one of her daughters had the honor of having Mrs. Letterie for a teacher for two years in elementary school. Millerick spoke from the heart in recognizing Letterie, who from all reports is a superb teacher whose students — as noted by teachers Mike Kirby and Bernadette Carsley in their introduction of Letterie for the Educational Excellence Award — admire Letterie so much. We have many excellent educators in Winthrop and it was great to see Mrs. Letterie recognized for her dedication and daily commitment to giving each and every student a maximum educational experience.
Mrs. Letterie’s speech — which appears on this page — was an A-plus address and we think you’ll agree. It was a great night for Mrs. Letterie, her husband, Councilor James Letterie, and their two children, Jake and Jenna, who couldn’t have looked prouder of their mother.
Congratulations, Dawn Letterie, and the parents, students, and your colleagues truly appreciate your presence in the Winthrop school system.