The Rhode Island reds Heritage Society has selected Unsung Hockey Heroes from the Rhode Island Interscholastic League. Among them is Sean Martin, a Smithfield High School senior who attained a 4.2 GPA while playing two varsity sports and Emma Byrnes who was a four-year member of the French Honor Society and a member of the Science Olympiad team in addition to standout ice play.
The Heritage Society describes Unsung Heroes as high school hockey players who contribute to their teams in ways that only their coaches and other players are aware of. Often, they exemplify the term, "student athlete" but there is usually more than that. Often, they have overcome personal hurdles and have inspired their teammates to push through their struggles. Sometimes, they are natural (or conditioned) leaders on and off the ice. Many are civic-minded and go above and beyond to serve their community and still maintain their focus on academics and hockey. The stories are as varied as the athletes. Three awards are given to both male and female hockey players in memory of three former Rhode Island Reds stand out players.
Sean seems to have been born to help others in productive ways. With grades like his, he is a member of the National Honor Society and volunteers tutoring other students in math and science. He also participates in donation drives such as sending supplies to soldiers overseas and jackets and blankets to those in need during winter. he also works on the Holiday Parade for the hockey team and helping his church.
This was Smithfield's Emma Byrnes' first year of varsity hockey, playing for coach Kerri Nadeau's Smithfield/Coventry/Moses Brown Co-op team. In addition for her standout ice play, she was also Vice President of the National Honor Society and a four-year member of the French Honor Society and Science Olympiad.
Congratulations to Emma Byrnes and Sean Martin!