Everyday heroes go unrecognized, unnoticed and unappreciated. Patting someone on the back is one thing, but giving that someone $10,000 in spending money and a $5,000 donation to any charity, a TV appearance, a meet and greet with baseball hall-of-famer Cal Ripken, Jr. and a ridiculous amount of publicity is another.

The Energizer Battery Company created the Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame to recognize the everyday men and women in our communities who have “extraordinary spirit, determination, humor and courage. They never give up. They just keep going, just like the Energizer Bunny.”

Senior Kendra Nickel nominated the winner of this year’s Hall of Fame winner, SuperSibs! Executive Director Melanie Goldish.

When Goldish discovered that her eldest son was diagnosed with cancer, she knew that this change would have severe affects on her younger son as well. That’s when she created the non-profit organization SuperSibs!, a cause that aims to support and recognize the brothers and sisters of children with cancer.

The organization was created in October 2002 and has been providing volunteer opportunities and smiles for those in need ever since.

Nickel jumped at the opportunity to volunteer along Goldish when a friend from high school told her about the cause.

“I really admire the way she saw a problem and instead of just complaining about it and moving on, she did something about it,” Nickel said.

Nickel knew there was something special about Goldish. Not only was she supportive of her own family throughout her child’s illness, Goldish’s passion exploded into a non-profit organization that provides need to 12,600 children in the United States.

“I think that people have lots of heroes in their lives. I think it’s about having people who you admire and look up to, people who have certain qualities that you would like to see in yourself,” Nickel said.

After seeing an advertisement on TV calling viewers to nominate potential Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame winners, Nickel saw it as a perfect way to recognize Goldish. All it took was a simple essay explaining what she had accomplished and why she deserved the award.

“I knew if I nominated Melanie she would have a really good shot. The award is about perseverance, and taking a negative situation and making something positive come out of it. It just fit Melanie perfectly,” Nickel said. “It didn’t take much time at all to nominate her and it ended up being such a big deal!”

Two weeks ago, Energizer called Goldish to give her the good news— she was accepted into the Hall of Fame and her story would be featured in their St. Louis Energizer headquarters.

“I talked to her on the phone for a while and she told me about the prize and how excited she was,” Nickel said. “I really think that the best thing about all of this is the publicity, so many more people will know about SuperSibs! and use its services and support it.”

Nickel feels that by recognizing Goldish, other members of the Elon community will see its impact and do the same.

"It means a lot to people when you tell them that you notice all the great things they are doing,” she said. “There are people all over the place doing amazing things for their communities and people just take it for granted or don’t notice.”

Goldish will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sept. 20. Her children are especially excited because Energizer made an exception to the one guest rule, allowing both sons to attend and meet Ripken.

Walking away from this experience, Nickel is proud to know that she made a difference. Goldish’s efforts will be forever remembered and celebrated in the Hall of Fame and $5,000 of the prize money will go directly to a charity of the winner’s choice, SuberSibs! of course.

“I think its about having people who you admire and look up to, people who have certain qualities that you would like to see in yourself,” Nickel said. “You piece the qualities from all those different people and try to make them a part of who you are and live those qualities in your own way so that you can be your best self.”

Features Editor: Caroline Matthews - 09/12/07