I am in total agreement with Bria Sharkey's mom, Corrine, who says that when her job is something she loves, it's like playing all day.

I love writing this column, I love doing the Hidden Heroes features on Shaw TV's, the Daily (which wouldn't be happening if it weren't for the support I originally got from this newspaper) and most of all, I love going into elementary and high school classrooms supporting our school-based Hidden Heroes Program.

Last week I got twenty-six Neighbourhood Heroes nominations from Mary-Lynn Epps' Grade 7 class at Randerson Ridge Elementary School.

I'll do my best to reflect what these students had to say about their Neighbourhood Heroes in the limited space I have here.

Danny Rye nominated his uncle, Cavan, who drives people with handicaps to wherever they need to go, and doesn't charge them.

Cole Newman and Declan Burdett nominated Mathew Pringle who graduated from Randerson Ridge last year. Mathew has many physical challenges, which he deals with extremely well. Declan describes him as courageous, brave, selfless, and kind.Cole says he put smiles on people's faces and is always in a positive mood.

Rob Kroeker nominated Valerie Robinson, another person who has overcome major challenges.. Valerie was moving toward becoming an Olympic level marathoner when she found out she had Multiple Sclerosis.. Rob says she now has two sons, a very busy life, and he has never heard her complain once.

Spencer Oberst nominated our Nanaimo Zamboni drivers because they get up between 4 and 5 in the morning to make sure the rink is ready for kids to practice.

Tyler Berreth, Michael Gibbard, and Mitchell Read nominated their Principal at Randerson Ridge, Greg Halfyard, because he often gives up his lunch hour and other breaks to organize sports activities or to help students who are having academic challenges. Michael says he never says anything negative to them and he always compliments them on things they do.

Josh nominated his friend Danile who stood up for him when people were calling him names, and Tara Bradley nominated her friends, Cassandra Kneivel, Katie McKibben, and Ritchie Hall, who, she says, are caring, kind, supportive and generous, and never make her feel bad about her learning.

Crosby Rushton sees Britta Peterson as a Neighbourhood Hero because she is responsible, well organized and "incredibly nice". She also plays rugby on the national team and influences others to make good choices. Mackenzie Bayliss thinks her friend, Stephanie Faccio, who is also in Grade 7 in Edmonton, is a Neighbourhood Heroes because she tries to stop scientists from testing products on animals.

Angela Ho nominated her older brother who is studying to become a doctor because he keeps persisting at everything he does until he succeeds; Michelle Cavin nominated her older brother, Alan, who she says is a great role model for her because he is responsible and caring; and Cassandra Knievel says her sister, Taylor, is a Neighbourhood Hero because, as captain of her provincial basketball team, she worked hard in the gym all summer when other people her age were on vacation or at the beach.

Katie McKibben describes her cousin, Tayler McPhee, as selfless and trustworthy, someone she can always go to if she is having a bad day.

Cherine Oltman nominated her mom, Faith Hunt, because she always tries to understand her ways and asks how she can help. She also describes her mom as "selfless" because she bakes bread even though she can't eat it herself.

I've run out of space.

Next week I will write about five more Randerson Ridge students who wrote about their parents as Neighbourhood Heroes, and also the two who wrote about their pets. They definitely have something to teach us.