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The SandPaper/Wednesday, April 15, 2015 32 By VICTORIA FORD S ix-year-old Alena Esposi- to doesn’t say much. Her thoughts hide behind bright eyes and a shy smile much of the time. But with the help of her fam- ily and caring teachers, Alena has made dramatic progress in recent months toward overcoming her silence. The kindergartener at Light- house Christian Academy in Ma- nahawkin suffers from selective mutism, an anxiety disorder that prevents her from speaking in new or uncomfortable situations. She was diagnosed at age 3 after seeing a specialist about her speech delay. Alena is the youngest of six children. When she did begin to speak, it was only to immediate family members – parents and five siblings – then eventually to grand- parents. School has been the biggest hurdle. Last year, her pre-K4 class had 14 students, and this year her kindergarten class has 11. Alena has only within the last few months begun speaking aloud in school. Alena’s pre-K4 teacher last year, Lorraine Sherman, said Alena never uttered a word during the school year. She would play beside the other children but never talk to them. She communicated by mim- ing, gesturing and pointing. Her kindergarten teacher, Ni- cole Montecalvo, said the other kids in class have readily accepted Alena’s silence, never treating it as a negative thing, but rather embrac- ing a “let’s help her” attitude. Mon- TLC: (Top, from left) Alena plays ‘Telephone’ with kindergarten teacher Nicole Montecalvo, big sister/teacher’s aide Laura Esposito and pre-K4 teacher/principal Lorraine Sherman at Lighthouse Christian Academy. Photographs by Jack Reynolds With Help, Selectively Mute 6-Year-Old Begins to Find Her Voice at School tecalvo took a special education class at Stockton University last spring that prepared her to work with Alena. As her mom, Karen, said, “You’re desperate to get them to talk, but it’s like hitting a brick wall.” Easy to mis- Continued on Page 40 Jack Reynolds HE’S DRIVEN: Smith’s goals for the town focus on family values and always asking, ‘Is there a better way?’ Councilman Hopeful: Alan Smith Espouses ‘Stafford State of Mind’ R etired U.S. Marine Col. Alan Smith, 66, is a highly deco- rated military man, a dedi- cated family man, educator and “born leader,” according to his wife of more than 40 years, Barbara, and the self-described “odd man” on the Republican ticket in this year’s race for Stafford Township Council. With a long list of military, professional and personal accomplishments already to his credit – including a self-published young adult historical fiction novel and three New York City marathons – Smith has a new mission: “I will listen to the heartbeat of the residents and keep an open mind.” The Stafford GOP selected him as council candidate along with five of the six running mates chosen by may- oral candidate John Spodofora. The other Republican council candidates are incumbents Steve Fessler, Robert Kusznikow and Sharon McKenna, and newcomers Dave Taylor and Paul Marchal, both local business owners who have taken an active role in the township by raising questions at meet- ings and running for council in the past. Marchal ran for mayor and Taylor for councilman in the 2012 election. At his home in Paramount Escapes where he and Barbara live, Smith introduced himself, his background and his goals for Stafford Township. His entry into municipal government was five years ago when he served as deputy coordinator of Stafford’s Office of Emergency Management. He was born in New York City, but his family relocated to Toms River when he was in grammar school. He attended St. Joseph’s Preparatory High School (now called Donovan Catholic) and was the senior class president in 1967. While in high school, he spotted his wife-to-be in the hallway, and “the decisions had already been made.” Immediately after graduation, Smith enlisted in the Marine Corps. When he got out in 1970, he went to Glass- boro State College, where he earned a bachelor of arts in special education, completing the degree in three years. More than 20 years later, he earned his master’s degree in history. He and Barbara married in 1974; the following year he went back to active duty, stationed in North Carolina. In 1977, he came home to an 18-month-old daughter who didn’t recognize him; that’s when he decided to spend more time at home, so he’s been on and off active duty ever since. As a Marine Reservist, he enjoyed a career as a fifth-grade teacher in the Little Egg Harbor School District. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, sent him to the Pentagon for 22 months. He has also taught Western Civiliza- tion as an adjunct professor at Ocean County College and Georgian Court University. Smith has two grown children, both graduates of the Southern Re- gional School District: Jennifer, 39, married with 8- and 3-year-old kids and living in Philadelphia; and Alan, 35, married and living in Queens, N.Y. In 2011, he was appointed to the coveted volunteer position of chair- man of the New Jersey Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. In October, he completed that three- year term and has since stayed on as a consultant to the organization. Smith’s interest in politics began in 2011 when friends and neighbors encouraged him to run, but the state appointment took precedence. Now, he said, “this is my time.” He feels he brings to the game a wide range of life experiences, a new face, a fresh perspective and “another kind of energy,” as an individual thinker with a team mentality. He operates by a moral code that says: “Don’t let obstacles stand in your way.” His vision for the town combines family values, fiscal responsibility and respectful, exploratory dialogue. “We’re small-town America, and we like it that way,” he said. He believes, for any town, a patriotic foundation is important, “but community – that’s home.” “Everything a family needs to do family things: That’s my Stafford,” Smith said. He wants to preserve or expand what is already successful – e.g., the services and amenities that make the quality of life great for kids, families and seniors – and encourage the town to evolve as its population evolves, always with a mind toward the question “Is there a better way?” The best ideas can come from anywhere at anytime, he noted. In order to best understand the town’s needs, Smith said he will go directly to the citizens and ask them what’s on their minds, what they feel, what they want, then bring that information back to the council and see what can be worked out. High on the list of proudest achievements, after his strong, happy marriage and his kids’ upbringing, is the day he graduated from boot camp and earned the title Marine. He looks forward to the opportunity to add “councilman” to that list. — Victoria Ford [email protected] take for severe shyness or a form of autism, selective mutism can be overcome, if treated early. Alena’s progress this year is attributable not to medication, but to group support
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Transcript of 041515_SP_32
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By VICTORIA FORD
Six-year-old Alena Esposi-to doesn’t say much. Her thoughts hide behind bright
eyes and a shy smile much of the time. But with the help of her fam-ily and caring teachers, Alena has made dramatic progress in recent months toward overcoming her silence.
The kindergartener at Light-house Christian Academy in Ma-nahawkin suffers from selective mutism, an anxiety disorder that prevents her from speaking in new or uncomfortable situations. She was diagnosed at age 3 after seeing a specialist about her speech delay.
Alena is the youngest of six children. When she did begin to speak, it was only to immediate family members – parents and fi ve siblings – then eventually to grand-parents. School has been the biggest hurdle. Last year, her pre-K4 class had 14 students, and this year her kindergarten class has 11. Alena has only within the last few months begun speaking aloud in school.
Alena’s pre-K4 teacher last year, Lorraine Sherman, said Alena never uttered a word during the school year. She would play beside the other children but never talk to them. She communicated by mim-ing, gesturing and pointing.
Her kindergarten teacher, Ni-cole Montecalvo, said the other kids in class have readily accepted Alena’s silence, never treating it as a negative thing, but rather embrac-ing a “let’s help her” attitude. Mon-
TLC: (Top, from left) Alena plays ‘Telephone’ with kindergarten teacher Nicole Montecalvo, big sister/teacher’s aide Laura Esposito and pre-K4 teacher/principal Lorraine Sherman at Lighthouse Christian Academy.
Photographs by Jack Reynolds
With Help, Selectively Mute 6-Year-OldBegins to Find Her Voice at School
tecalvo took a special education class at Stockton University last spring that prepared her to work with Alena.
As her mom, Karen, said, “You’re desperate to get them to talk, but it’s like hitting a brick wall.” Easy to mis- Continued on Page 40
Jack Reynolds
HE’S DRIVEN: Smith’s goals for the town focus on family values and always asking, ‘Is there a better way?’
Councilman Hopeful: Alan Smith Espouses‘Stafford State of Mind’Retired U.S. Marine Col. Alan
Smith, 66, is a highly deco- rated military man, a dedi-
cated family man, educator and “born leader,” according to his wife of more than 40 years, Barbara, and the self-described “odd man” on the Republican ticket in this year’s race for Stafford Township Council. With a long list of military, professional and personal accomplishments already to his credit – including a self-published young adult historical fi ction novel and three New York City marathons – Smith has a new mission: “I will listen to the heartbeat of the residents and keep an open mind.”
The Stafford GOP selected him as council candidate along with fi ve of the six running mates chosen by may-oral candidate John Spodofora. The other Republican council candidates are incumbents Steve Fessler, Robert Kusznikow and Sharon McKenna, and newcomers Dave Taylor and Paul Marchal, both local business owners who have taken an active role in the township by raising questions at meet-ings and running for council in the past. Marchal ran for mayor and Taylor for councilman in the 2012 election.
At his home in Paramount Escapes where he and Barbara live, Smith introduced himself, his background and his goals for Stafford Township. His entry into municipal government was fi ve years ago when he served as deputy coordinator of Stafford’s Offi ce of Emergency Management.
He was born in New York City, but his family relocated to Toms River when he was in grammar school. He attended St. Joseph’s Preparatory High School (now called Donovan Catholic) and was the senior class president in 1967.
While in high school, he spotted his wife-to-be in the hallway, and “the decisions had already been made.” Immediately after graduation, Smith enlisted in the Marine Corps. When he got out in 1970, he went to Glass-boro State College, where he earned a bachelor of arts in special education, completing the degree in three years. More than 20 years later, he earned his master’s degree in history.
He and Barbara married in 1974; the following year he went back to active duty, stationed in North Carolina. In 1977, he came home to an 18-month-old daughter who didn’t recognize him; that’s when he decided to spend more time at home, so he’s been on and off active duty ever since. As a Marine Reservist, he enjoyed a career as a fi fth-grade teacher in the Little Egg Harbor School District. The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, sent him to the Pentagon for 22 months. He has also taught Western Civiliza-tion as an adjunct professor at Ocean County College and Georgian Court University.
Smith has two grown children, both graduates of the Southern Re-gional School District: Jennifer, 39, married with 8- and 3-year-old kids
and living in Philadelphia; and Alan, 35, married and living in Queens, N.Y.
In 2011, he was appointed to the coveted volunteer position of chair-man of the New Jersey Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. In October, he completed that three-year term and has since stayed on as a consultant to the organization.
Smith’s interest in politics began in 2011 when friends and neighbors encouraged him to run, but the state appointment took precedence. Now, he said, “this is my time.” He feels he brings to the game a wide range of life experiences, a new face, a fresh perspective and “another kind of energy,” as an individual thinker with a team mentality. He operates
by a moral code that says: “Don’t let obstacles stand in your way.”
His vision for the town combines family values, fi scal responsibility and respectful, exploratory dialogue. “We’re small-town America, and we like it that way,” he said. He believes, for any town, a patriotic foundation is important, “but community – that’s home.”
“Everything a family needs to do family things: That’s my Stafford,” Smith said. He wants to preserve or expand what is already successful – e.g., the services and amenities that make the quality of life great for kids, families and seniors – and encourage the town to evolve as its population evolves, always with a mind toward
the question “Is there a better way?”The best ideas can come from
anywhere at anytime, he noted.In order to best understand the
town’s needs, Smith said he will go directly to the citizens and ask them what’s on their minds, what they feel, what they want, then bring that information back to the council and see what can be worked out.
High on the list of proudest achievements, after his strong, happy marriage and his kids’ upbringing, is the day he graduated from boot camp and earned the title Marine. He looks forward to the opportunity to add “councilman” to that list.
— Victoria Ford [email protected]
take for severe shyness or a form of autism, selective mutism can be overcome, if treated early. Alena’s progress this year is attributable not to medication, but to group support
