Sayville Music Teacher Cited As Local Hero: Here’s Why

SAYVILLE-BAYPORT — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Dr. James J. Bertsch, Jr. - Board of Education, Trustee who nominated Ms. Kerry Van Boxel of Sayville-Bayport.

Local hero’s full name

Kerry Van Boxel

Local hero’s home state

New York

Local hero’s Patch

Sayville-Bayport

How do you know the local hero?

She is the band director for my high school daughter's band.

Why do you believe the local hero should be recognized or honored?

The nominee has created a community of support. In the summer before 9th grade, the band made a decision to help their bandmate fight cancer. My daughter told me, "WE ARE GOING TO HELP MATT!" with a conviction I've never seen from her. Matt is a triplet. All the kids wore shirts, "Fight for Matt." And guess what? Matt beat cancer. My daughter has never experiencing such a feeling of belonging, of purpose. Van Boxel also brings the band on her free time to community events. Van Boxel graduated from Sayville. Few people have had a bigger impact on the lives of children as Kerry Van Boxel.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the local hero?

I want everyone to know that when the chips were down--like they were during the pandemic--she rose up. No one has had a bigger impact on either of my children like Van Boxel. She's a once-in-a-lifetime teacher.

Thank you for all you do, Kerry Van Boxel!

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Know someone making a difference in town? Nominate them as a local hero here.