Gwynnetta J. Sneed, founder of the Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover Foundation, kept her address short to the crowd of more than 300 people gathered for the foundation’s 2012 anti-bullying scholarship gala on April 15 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

“We do if for the kids. It’s all for the kids,” said Sneed of the gala held for the second year to give scholarships in memory of the Springfield sixth-grader who took his life in April of 2009 after repeated school bullying.

It was the same sentiment that led Sneed — with the blessing of Sirdeaner Walker, Carl’s mother — to establish the foundation in May of 2010. The mother of two grown children, Sneed wanted to honor the memory of Carl, an avid reader who had wanted to go to Georgia’s Morehouse College, the only all-male, historically black institution in the United States, in a way others could celebrate.

With a grass-roots executive committee of about a dozen members, the non-profit managed to hold its inaugural walk-run four months later in Forest Park, raising $10,000 for the first 11 scholarships — five for $1,000 and six in the amount of $500 — given last spring. A second walk-run was held last fall and also raised about $10,000.

This year’s gala raised more than $13,000 for the foundation — $2,000 more to date than last year. The increase in revenues allowed 15 scholarships to be given in recognition of the fact that Carl would have turned 15 on April 17.
“In just our second year of existence, we have awarded $23,000 in scholarships. Carl will never have an opportunity to attend Morehouse College, but we are helping to send students to college in his memory,” said Sneed who thanked supporters and committee members, many of whom were wearing the foundation’s trademark blue wrist bands with the slogan, “Be A Buddy Not a Bully.”

Sneed’s son, Nicholas, a Morehouse graduate, and daughter Lauren, a graduate of Georgia’s Spelman College, have both helped with the foundation work and were in attendance. Sneed said she felt the foundation’s message is being heard and is helping young people with their anti-bullying work.

The foundation had some 50 applicants from around New England for its 2012 scholarships and these were judged by committee members Regina Jeames, Sister of Providence Senga Fulton and Nicholas Sneed. Eight of the winners were from Springfield schools.

“We are getting our message across by encouraging our children to ‘Be A Buddy Not A Bully’ and if you see something, say something. Our scholarship applicants must write essays which describe their personal efforts to combat bullying in their schools and communities,” said Gwynnetta Sneed, noting that some of the winners read their essays at the gala.

“Some of our young people are doing amazing things to help rid our society of this epidemic. If we only reach one person at a time, the work of the Foundation is not in vain.”

Others attending the gala included Sirdeaner Walker, who brought son Charles and daughter Gloria. She received a standing ovation for her ongoing work in the area of anti-bullying legislation. Nick Riley whose construction company helped oversee Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s rebuild of the Walker home, attended with his wife and told the audience he was honored be there. Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno praised the foundation’s work. Shannon Hegy of abc40/FOX 6 served as mistress of ceremonies.

Other foundation committee members on the program were Helen Caulton-Harris, Linda Belton and Sheila Goodwin and Andrew Cade who served as the DJ. The Lyrics of Longmeadow High School performed under the direction of Kayla Werlin.

Sneed reminded those present that the foundation’s Anti-Bullying Back-to-School 5K Road Race and 2K Walk is scheduled for Sept. 15. More information can be found online at http://carljoseph11.org/

The recipients of the Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover Foundation scholarship with their award amounts are as follows:

Brianna N. Hartford, a student at Littleton (N.H.) High School, who worked for the passage of anti-bullying legislation in her state, received the top award of $2,000.

Tess G. Domb Sadof, of Amherst Regional High School, and a student researcher and anti-bully advocate for Amherst Regional Public Schools, Raul Centeno Pedraza, of Springfield High School of Science and Technology, and member of youth club where he works on anti-bullying issues, and Corey Allan Rapa, of Springfield Central High School, where he is an athlete and member of the Air Force Junior ROTC , all received awards of $1,500.

Melanie N. Gomes, who has been a student council president, and Monica E. Czausz, a co-president of Peace Jam, both of Chicopee High School, Rushawn A. Walters, of Cathedral High School, where he is a member of the art club and is team manager for the football team, Dominic J. Mondon-Poirier, of Springfield Central High School, where he is a member of the debate team, and he has also participated in wheelchair soccer for 10 years, Briana C. Carter, of SABIS International Charter School, where she is captain of the varsity cheerleading team, and she has participated in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, and Michael K. Ames, of Frontier Regional High School in South Deerfield, where he is an athlete and a teacher assistant and math tutor, all received awards of $1,000.

Jessica L. Fournier, of Chicopee High School, where she is on student council and an athlete, Carrie-Ann C. White, of the Metropolitan Learning Center in Bloomfield, Conn., where she is a member of the Gay Straight Alliance and has lead anti-bullying efforts, Bianca L. Couture, who is vice president of Key Club, and Patrick Johnson-Housey, an athlete and MassMutual Academic Achiever, both of Springfield Central High School, and Lawanda S. Ross, of the High School of Commerce, where she is a MassMutual Academic Achiever and co-commander of the Army Junior ROTC drill team, all received awards of $500.

Allen has donated an autographed jersey to the foundation that raises money for scholarships in memory of the Springfield youth who committed suicide after repeated school bullying.

“I asked him if he would donate an autographed jersey for a silent auction item for the gala. He said absolutely, and gave me his contact information,” said Sneed, who met Allen and his family when they attended the foundation’s Anti-Bullying Back-to-School 5K Road Race and 2K Walk last year.

“What it means is that Ray Allen and his wife believe in what we are doing to bring awareness to bullying,” said Sneed. “Both he and his wife talked with us about the epidemic that has affected all of our lives in one form or another. Hopefully, some generous donors will attend the gala and bid for the jersey of the future Hall of Famer Celtic legend. The more funds we raise will help to increase our scholarship giving in honor and in memory of Carl.”

The foundation’s scholarship gala is April 15 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. To learn more about the foundation and its programs, go online to www.carljoseph11.org.

The non-profit’s scholarship gala will take place at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House in Holyoke on April 15 and the Anti-Bullying Back-to-School 5K Road Race and 2K Walk is scheduled for Sept. 15. The foundation is also seeking individual donations of $15 in memory of Walker-Hoover, who would be 15 on April 17. Last year the foundation awarded five scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each and six $500 scholarships in memory of Walker-Hoover, who was a sixth-grader at New Leadership Charter School when he hanged himself at home on April 6, 2009. His mother said her son was persistently bullied at school, including being called “gay.”

Foundation scholarship applications can be found online at www.carljoseph11.org and are due on Feb. 29.

Besides an interview, scholarship applicants are judged on an essay about bullying, community service, leadership, appearance, grade point average and their Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System or college admission test scores.

Following is part of the text Sneed sent to solicit donations for the upcoming gala and ads for its program.

“Our second annual scholarship gala is taking place from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke on April 15 the day before what would have been Carl’s 15th birthday. To commemorate this special day, we’re awarding $10,000 in scholarships to 15 graduating high school seniors. This year’s gala will feature The Lyrics of Longmeadow High School.

“I’m soliciting your financial support to help make this event a success. Donation levels are as follows: Patron $100, Bronze $500, Silver $1,000, Gold $2,500 and Platinum $5,000. Ads in our event program cost the following: business card or patron $15, quarter page $25, half page $50, and full page $100. Ads must be submitted print-ready (pdf file – 8 1/2 by 11) by March 16.

Checks should be made payable to Carl Joseph Memorial Fund and mailed to P.O. Box 4316, Springfield, MA 01101. Online payments can be made at www.carljoseph11.org.

By Sarah Platanitis

The Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover Foundation, established in memory of the Springfield youth who committed suicide after repeated bullying at school, is hosting a special, yearlong remembrance in 2012 with its “15 Campaign.”

“Carl would have been 15 this year, so the number will play a big role with the foundation this year,” said Sirdeaner Walker, Walker-Hoover’s mother and matriarch of the family that received a new home in September and help with promoting their anti-bullying campaign from the now canceled ABC television show, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

The foundation’s scholarship gala will take place at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House in Holyoke on April 15 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and the Anti-Bullying Back-to-School 5K Road Race and 2K Walk is scheduled for Sept. 15. The foundation is also seeking individual donations of $15 in memory of Walker-Hoover, who would be 15 on April 17. Some 15 students will also be selected for scholarships totalling $10,000 this year.

Last year the foundation awarded five scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each and six $500 scholarships in memory of Walker-Hoover, who was a sixth-grader at New Leadership Charter School when he hanged himself at home on April 6, 2009. His mother said her son was persistently bullied at school, including being called “gay.”

Foundation scholarship applications can be found online at facebook.com/carljoseph11.org and are due on Feb. 29.

Besides an interview, scholarship applicants are judged on an essay about bullying, community service, leadership, appearance, grade point average and their Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System or college admission test scores.

The foundation was established in the spring of 2010 by Springfield resident Gwynnetta J. Sneed, who said at the time that she wanted to “take a stand against our children going to school and being stripped of their self-esteem and self-worth.”

“I shared my vision to organize a foundation and award scholarships in Carl’s memory. She gave me her blessing and the rest is history,” said Sneed of the support she has had from Sirdeaner Walker. “God laid it on my heart to do something to help preserve Carl’s life and legacy.”

Sneed is business manager for a Verizon corporate training program at Springfield Technical Community College and the mother of two grown children, one of whom serves on the foundation’s board.

Last year’s run raised more than $11,000 toward the nonprofit’s scholarship fund and the first gala, $14,000.

“Carl wanted to have a college education and the wonderful thing about the foundation is that it’s able to give out scholarships to help young, deserving students go to college,” said Walker, who, at last year’s gala, was presented with a posthumous certificate of admission for her late son from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga.

Walker said her son had wanted to attend Morehouse, the only all-male, historically black institution in the United States.

Walker-Hoover played football, soccer and basketball. He was involved in the QuestProgram at Elms College in Chicopee, and a member of Boy Scout Troop 35 and the Black Men of Greater Springfield’s W.E.B. Dubois Academy.

Sneed credits “Extreme Makeover” and Celtics star Ray Allen who, with his family present, ran in last year’s race along with some of the “Makeover” staff, for helping to publicize the foundation’s work.

“We have received emails from people across the country who have shared their stories about being bullied, and have expressed interest in creating anti-bullying efforts in their respective cities, the youngest being a 

13-year-old in Cleveland, Ohio, who wanted help with starting an anti-bullying foundation,” Sneed said.

Applicants for a foundation scholarship must be graduating high school seniors in Western Massachusetts with a minimum 2.5 GPA. They must also provide an essay along with proof of college admittance and MCAS scores.

“The process from last year is somewhat the same other than we want applicants to have some type of involvement in an anti-bullying activity and explain what they have done to help combat bullying,” Sneed said.

Regina Jeames, senior application analyst at Baystate Health, Eileen Kirk, co-director of the Step Forward-Step Ahead program at Elms College in Chicopee, and Sister Senga Fulton, director of Annie’s House, a program of the Massachusetts Career Development Institute, will again serve as the foundation scholarship committee.

“Economic times are really difficult right now and families are struggling. Every little bit for college helps, as I’m learning with my daughter Dominique. The foundation scholarships are given in the students’ names, which is great because then they can use the money to buy books or whatever it is that they need,” Walker said. A single mom, she has a daughter in college and two other younger children who, during the “Extreme Makeover” show were presented by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with the opportunity to someday attend that university on scholarship.

“The goals of the Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover Foundation are not only to raise awareness about the harmful effects of bullying and to honor Carl’s memory but also to give back to the community that has supported the efforts of the foundation.”

Walker, who works with the homeless in her job at the Massachusetts Career Development Institute, had a brief private meeting at the White House on March 10 with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during the president’s all-day conference on bullying prevention. She was also instrumental in Gov. Deval L. Patrick signing anti-bully legislation into law in Massachusetts in May that prohibits online harassment and requires schools to notify parents when bullying occurs.

She has appeared on talk shows and has done speaking engagements across the country in advocating for passage of federal legislation that would require schools that receive specific federal funds to adopt prevention programs and report related abuses to the U.S. Department of Education. Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is among the 18 co-sponsors of the bill.

Tickets to the April 15 gala, which will include a performance by the Lyrics from Longmeadow High School, are $40 for adults and $20 students. After March 31, the price increases to $45 and $25. The foundation is also doing a ad booklet in conjunction with the gala. Ads will cost $100 full page, $50 half page, $25 quarter page, and $15 business cards or patrons.

Tickets for the gala will be available on the foundation’s web site, facebook.com/carljoseph11, starting on Feb. 1.

For information on placing an ad in the gala booklet or contributing a donation or silent auction item, please send an email to carljoseph11@gmail.com

Source: MassLive.com, The Republican

By Suzanne McLaughlin, The Republican

SPRINGFIELD – Hundreds turned out Friday night to celebrate their efforts to rebuild the home of the Sirdeaner Walker family and to watch their results be aired for the first time on television.

Nick Riley, of Riley Construction in Chicopee, the builder for the renovated house, hosted the party at Sheraton Springfield to thank the roughly 400 tradesmen who helped rebuild the house over seven days in September through the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” show.

The Walker family was chosen after the suicide of 11-year-old Carl Walker-Hoover, who killed himself in 2009 after bullying at the charter school he attended, according to his mother. Walker said after Carl killed himself on the third floor the family began “camping” on the first floor.

When the show began to air on abc40, those gathered at the Sheraton clapped, and when Walker spoke about Carl, some began to cry.

In addition to the tradesmen, there were also countless volunteers, Riley said. “We want to thank everybody who worked on the project,” he said.

Walter Tomala, Riley’s project manager for the makeover, called building the house “the best week of my life.”

“We worked ’round the clock,” he said. “We had hundreds of people, tradespeople and families and friends working all shifts.”

Speaking during the party, Walker said she feels like she failed her son, Carl, in life, but promised she would never fail him in death.

She said has made it her cause to win support for state and national school anti-bullying laws.

The children at his school said Carl, who carried a lot of books in his backpack and liked to read, acted gay and like a girl, his family said.

Sirdeaner Walker’s cause has taken her to the Statehouse and the White House, and she has met Gov. Deval L. Patrick and President Obama.

Walker was thrilled when “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” offered to rebuild her house on Northampton Avenue.

Jillian Harris, one of the designers for the show, said she hopes the new home helps the family continue their healing process.

Walker said, “This is not just Carl’s story. It is for all the families and children who are victims of bullying who are voiceless.”

Walker said she feels it is important that the celebrities on “Extreme Makeover” have lent their voices to deliver the message that it is not cool to be a bully in school.

For some children, celebrities are role models, she said.

“All children need a caring, safe environment,” Walker said.

“We want to thank everybody who worked on the project,” Riley said.

Source: MassLive.com, The Republican

By The Republican

SPRINGFIELD – NBA superstar Ray Allen surprised students at Glickman Elementary School on Friday with an anti-bullying talk.

Getting special attention was Charles Walker-Hoover, the brother of Carl, who killed himself at age 11 after bullying at the Springfield charter school he attended, according to his mother, Sirdeaner L. Walker. Because of the resulting hardship to the family, and Walker’s national campaign against bullying, the family was chosen as a recipient of a home renovation via “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

The episode about the makeover is scheduled to air Friday night at 8 on ABC. The builder who coordinated the construction, Nick Riley, of Riley Construction in Chicopee, invited about 400 tradesmen who participated in the project to a premier party at the Sheraton Springfield.

Allen, one of the best shooting guards in Boston Celtics history, came to the school to continue his advocacy of the anti-bullying campaign that took shape after Carl took his own life April 2009.

Allen preached the virtues of teamwork and togetherness, especially in light of the circumstances the Walker-Hoover family has had to endure.

“I think it’s important to teach kids that picking on someone isn’t going to make you feel any better, or look any better – only worse,” Allen remarked.

The Celtics star also expressed his admiration of Charles’ mother and the courage she has demonstrated in the face of extreme adversity.

“The way Sirdeaner made it through this process – she’s strong, fierce,” he stated. “I want her to know I stand there with her and commend her.”

Despite the solemn nature of the subject, the afternoon was filled with laughs and levity.

The visit was a surprise to Charles and other students. Charles was called into the office during recess to discover Allen waiting for him to apprehend the magnitude of the situation.

“I hope I’m not ruining your recess,” Allen said, jokingly.

Though Charles was bashful at first, after several minutes he warmed up to the superstar, eventually grinning from ear to ear.

Adorned in his fresh new Celtics shirt and cap, Charles led Allen into the gymnasium where some schoolmates erupted in jubilation.

Allen was visibly humbled by the experience.

“I want to thank him and his family for being so strong and including me in this process,” Allen said.

After roughly 20 minutes of speaking to the children, Allen fielded questions that ranged from the current state of the Celtics to whether or not he would be signing autographs, which he did.

Despite all of the hardships the Walker-Hoover family has had to endure, Allen said he hoped this experience would serve not only as a lesson to this small Springfield school, but to those watching the show across the county.

“Anybody can have great things,” Allen stated. “But the great things we have we must take care of – including each other.”

Source: MassLive.com, The Republican

By Peter Goonan, The Republican

SPRINGFIELD – Some secrets have to be kept for now, but there was no secret regarding how happy Sirdeaner L. Walkerand her children are about their new home on Northampton Avenue.

The family was preparing to move into their new home in Upper Hill on Monday, which was built by area volunteers during the past week in conjunction with ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” television show.

“It’s just unbelievable,” Walker said, during an interview in front of her home on Monday. “A lot of love went into building this home. It’s incredible.”

The family was instructed by “Extreme Makeover” officials to not reveal specific details about the home interior until the show is broadcast. The show is expected to air in late October or early November.

Walker emerged as a national figure in the fight against school bullying after her son Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, 11, distraught over bullying and repeated incidents of harassment, committed suicide in 2009 at his home.

“I really feel like Carl is with us, spiritually,” Sirdeaner Walker said. “I think he would be jumping up and down. He would be so happy for us.”

Nick Riley, owner of N. Riley Construction of Chicopee, the local builder for the project, joined with his family and Walker’s family at the press conference and said it was special to help make the Walker family’s dream come true. The Walkers old home was razed and the new house built in its place.

The family also was treated to a vacation in Hollywood, Calif., while their house was built. Walker said the family enjoyed the vacation, which included an appearance on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and a visit to Universal Studios.

Walker’s daughter, Gloria, 7, said a firm “no” Monday when asked if she was looking forward to going back to school.

“I think I will stay in my room,” Gloria said, adding that she would hope to be locked in her new bedroom and only come out “if there is an emergency.” The new house is “much better than my old house,” she said.

Walker said she was very grateful to “Extreme Makeover” and to the many volunteers who made her new home a reality.

“I feel very blessed, so grateful,” Walker said. “It’s just wonderful.”

The University of Massachusetts announced that it has awarded four-year scholarships to Gloria and her brother Charles, 8. The scholarships will cover the entire cost of their college educations, including room and board and fees at any one of the university’s four undergraduate campuses (Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, or Lowell).

Walker said that, as a parent, “you always worry” about being able to afford the cost of education for your children.

Officials from Comcast Corporation appeared at the press conference to announce that the Philadelphia-based cable and media company will donate a full-year of cable television-Internet-telephone service to the family.

Representatives of the National Conference for Community and Justice also appeared, announcing that the group will donate $75,000 over three years to provide access to its youth anti-bullying programs.

Riley praised the many contractors and volunteers who helped with the project, estimating there were thousands of helpers. He called it a “community coming together. They did an amazing job.”