Harford Day School student Nicholas "Nicky" Tamberino, who dreams of one day being a professional baseball player, was recognized last week with a Student Achievement Award from the Town of Bel Air.
He was honored at the Bel Air Town Commissioners meeting May 2, along with a surprise proclamation to Director of Administration Michael Krantz and recognition of May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month and Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
Nicky "epitomizes all of the positive values that are taught at Harford Day School," according to the proclamation, presented by Commissioner Robert Preston. "He is a diligent student, an excellent athlete and an outstanding citizen. Nicholas is kind, compassionate, humble and loyal in all situations. He willingly volunteers to help with any activity without thought of reward."
He is a leader by his example in the classroom and on the playing field, Preston read.
"It's always a pleasure to recognize students," Preston said. "I look at these future leaders and I can tell that we're in good hands."
The commissioners surprised Krantz with a proclamation recognizing his work in coordinating the Bel Air Kite Festival this year. The former organizer, Allan Ault, retired after last year's festival and Krantz stepped up and took it over.
"It's an event that is near and dear to me and my family," Commissioner Brendan Hopkins said in presenting the award. "It's a fun event families can go to."
His family, Hopkins said, has ben going for years.
The certificate recognizes Krantz's "dedicated service" to the Kite Day Festival and the town's appreciate of his efforts.
As town administrator, Krantz is responsible for taking the award presentations. Because he was the subject of the award, he turned the camera on himself and took a selfie with the town commissioners.
The town recognized May as Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and presented a proclamation to Harford County Health Officer Susan Kelly.
Harford County's suicide rate is greater than the state average, with the eighth highest suicide rate in Maryland, according to the recognition. Mental health groups across Harford, including through the health department, "are working together to end suicide," Kelly said.
The Town of Bel Air, she said, is contributing as well, with the installation of signs for hope and support to people in crisis at the Bel Air parking garage, the site of three suicides in 18 months.
A work group is trying to spread the message to people suffering from mental health illnesses that "you are not alone. There is hope and help and resources available. Reach out to someone, anyone," Kelly said.
Anyone who needs help can contact the Maryland Crisis 24-hour hotline, 800-422-0009 or the Harford County Mobile Crisis line, from 8 a.m. to midnight at 410-638-5248.
Lyme Disease affects 300,000 people a year in the United States and is the most common tick-borne disease in the country, according to Janet Jensen, of Harford Lyme Advocates, the group receiving the proclamation from the town recognizing May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month.
Jensen's daughter was diagnosed too late, and went from fencing and playing in a rock and roll band to being stuck in bed and needing help to walk.
Jensen and Lea Opkyke founded Harford Lyme Advocates in 2013 and have worked together to offer patients and caregivers in the community a "supportive, compassionate, safe environment to learn and share information about Lyme Disease and related co-infections," according to the proclamation.
The group meets the third Wednesday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Chesapeake Conference Room at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air.