Taunton crossing guard honored; Littlefield on 'American Ninja Warrior': Our top stories
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Before we begin the new week in earnest, we're taking a look back at the week that was, and the stories that led the news with Taunton Daily Gazette readers.
Top stories included:
A Taunton mom got quite a surprise when she got some unexpected news about her pregnancy: she's expecting quadruplets. In March, Ashley Ness learned she was pregnant, unexpectedly, during a routine doctor's appointment. Two weeks later, during her first ultrasound, the surprise was revealed to be far more than she could imagine.
Some relatives are irked over the location where Taunton High School held its recent graduation ceremony: in the field house. Nearly 500 students graduated, and each of them was given four tickets for the ceremony. Some family members had to watch the ceremony on an auditorium video screen. Superintendent of Schools John Cabral said the school department has only received one complaint about the seating arrangements. Gazette Reporter Ed Baker has the story here.
These were the Top 5 stories of the past week, according to Gazette readers:
Students cheer on Taunton crossing guard who's ‘always there with a smile’
Our top story this past week was about a Taunton Public Schools crossing guard who has been keeping local students safe and smiling for 20 years.
Rick "Ricky" Spearin is at the corner of Harris and Williams streets each morning and afternoon, making sure his charges get to Elizabeth Pole Elementary School safely.
This past week, he was honored by the Mass Department of Transportation at the Safe Routes to School awards ceremony. He watched the virtual ceremony at E. Pole, and the children lined the hallways to greet him with warm wishes, applause, and hugs.
'He’s number one in our hearts': Students cheer on Taunton crossing guard who's ‘always there with a smile’
Pet of the Week loves taking trips to Dunkin
Remi, a female American Staffordshire mix who was a recent Taunton Animal Shelter Pet of the Week, certainly got some tails wagging.
She's available for adoption, and she's a bundle of energy who loves going for walks and being included in activities.
Her favorite activity?
Hopping in the car for a ride and a trip to Dunkin.
Pet of the Week: Remi is a cute, happy dog who likes going to Dunkin
'Miss American Ninja Warrior'
Former Miss Massachusetts Lyndsey Littlefield is now Miss American Ninja Warrior.
That's what it says on her competition shirt.
The Taunton native, former Miss Taunton and current science teacher at Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School has been waiting a long time for this moment, and now it's finally happening for her:
Miss American Ninja Warrior: Ex-Miss Taunton chases a dream all the way to American Ninja Warrior stage
Rawkstars founder shares story on Kelly Clarkson Show
East Taunton resident Jon “JJ” Jacobs recently traveled to Universal Studios in Los Angeles to film a segment about Rawkstars, his Taunton-based non-profit which provides young music students with instruments and tuition for weekly music lessons.
His segment aired June 6 on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and he talked about his experience, as well as what it was like sharing the stage with country music stars The Chicks.
'A very music-centric episode': Taunton man flown to LA to tell Rawkstar's story on The Kelly Clarkson Show
From the science fair to Harvard
Throughout her career at Taunton High School, Kayla Parrett accumulated numerous science awards, including several first place finishes at the Massachusetts Region III Science Fair.
It all began with a seventh-grade project on food science, and now the next step of her journey is taking her to Harvard University, where she plans to study microbiology and immunology.
Following her passions: STEM-loving Taunton teen's journey takes her from science fair to Harvard
See how her hard work has brought her all the way to the Ivy League.
Taunton Daily Gazette/Herald News copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton top stories: Rick Spearin, Lyndsey Littlefield, Rawkstars
