Teen carries on Sister Catherine’s legacy of kindness

Academy of the Holy Angels student Breanna Hetzer, of Nutley, has been named a recipient of the Sister Catherine Green Kindness Award in appreciation of her inspirational attitudes. Hetzer was honored during the Nov. 21 Thanksgiving prayer service at the school in Demarest for exemplifying the kindness for which Sister Catherine was known.

Sister Catherine, of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, was a member of the AHA Religious Studies Department from 1982 to 2014. She is remembered for her ready smile, nurturing spirit, and ability to offer a sympathetic ear and warm encouragement.

Hetzer, a senior, earned her award for her positivity, helpful nature and sense of humor.

“She has a very positive attitude and energy, which automatically brightens my day when I am with her,” one member of the school community wrote about her. “She can always cheer me up when I am feeling down and cares so much about her friends.”

Hetzer credited her positive traits to her family and a lesson from Pamela Batchelder-Mitchell’s classroom at Yantacaw School.

“I am thrilled and grateful to receive the Sister Catherine

Green Kindness Award for this quarter,” Hetzer said. “My family raised me to be kind to all living things. My kindness was further reinforced when I read the book ‘Wonder’ in Mrs. Mitchell’s fifth-grade class at Yantacaw School. When given the choice, I choose kind and hope others will follow my example.”

A friend said of Hetzer, “Personally, she has been so helpful to me. I’ve been recently injured, and, without even asking, she has volunteered herself to help me with everything, even when she is inconvenienced. She also committed her time to help a girl understand her math homework during community time instead of (doing) her own work.”

Another peer called Hetzer one of the kindest people she has ever met, saying, “Whether it’s compliments or hugs, she shows that she cares for her friends constantly. She loves to help out and uplift her friends and peers, and I couldn’t think of someone more deserving of this award.”

“We are very proud of Breanna and congratulate her for the award,” Nutley Mayor Joseph P. Scarpelli said. “It’s great to see our township’s youth being acknowledged for their kindness and caring for others.”

Stay vigilant and don’t be fooled by suspicious callers

Nutley Police Director Alphonse

Petracco and Chief Thomas Strumolo released a joint statement on Jan. 17 to warn residents to be wary of suspicious phone calls.

Strumolo stated that, on Jan. 17, the Nutley Police Department received several reports from residents believing a police officer had attempted to contact them from the police department’s own number. After determining Nutley police officers did not make the call, it appears the police department’s phone number was “spoofed,” meaning the fraudulent caller was able to make it seem as if they were calling from the police station.

According to Strumolo, the motive for these calls is unclear; it could possibly be the beginning of a fraud attempt, however, these residents contacted police and learned of the attempt. Strumolo said there are phone applications available that will disguise the caller’s number and allow them to put any number/name they wish for the receiver to see — in this case the residents observed “Nutley Police” on their caller ID and believed the call to be credible. In all incidents, the resident was advised to contact Officer “XYZ” at a number that was not a Nutley police number. At this time these calls remain under investigation.

Petracco warned residents that there are people out there who are very clever at leading innocent people to believe what they want them to; these unscrupulous individuals will then attempt to take anything and everything from their victims. Be cautious and call police directly at 973284-4940 to determine validity of any unknown caller.