Bethel Park paraprofessional receives award launched this year in honor of Fred Rogers

For more than half a century, youngsters have watched the filmed-in-Pittsburgh TV series “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” hearing a friendly, gentle voice guide them toward safe, fulfilling lives.

Although Fred Rogers (1928-2003) ended the show’s production two years before his death, episodes still run in syndication and on streaming services, giving today’s little ones the opportunity to view what may have been a childhood favorite of their grandparents.

So when a special-education paraprofessional at Bethel Park’s Independence Middle School won an award named for Mr. Rogers, students attending a Sept. 26 recognition assembly expressed familiarity with everything from his program’s “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” theme song to his messages about empathy, inclusion and the notion that every person has something to offer the world.

“I love the fact that his legacy continues,” Lisa Thompson told the students, “and I want you to know, too, that each of you can keep it alive through just repeating and living out what he taught.”

She is among the first recipients of the Fred Rogers Institute Helper Award, launched this year to recognize individuals who care for young people in their daily and professional lives.

The institute, based at Saint Vincent College and previously called the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media, was planned under his guidance and established in 2003 to continue his efforts in supporting the healthy development of children.

“We got nominations for over 140 people around the world,” executive director Dana Winters said about the award. “And after reviewing all of those applications, we accepted 14 people.”

Thompson’s nomination came from David Muench, Bethel Park School District director of student support services.

“Her kindness and helping spirit is not just in the school. It’s exhibited out in the community on a daily basis,” he said. “Mrs. Thompson is one of those people who go out of their way to make sure that everybody has what they need.”

Regarding the concept of kindness, she spoke at the recognition assembly about the distinction between that and a similar word’s meaning.

“‘Nice’ and ‘kind’ both carry positive connotations. They are often used interchangeably with each other,” she said. “But you can be nice without being kind. Just being nice stops well short of making a difference.”

Adding qualities to the mix such as generosity, compassion and love, she explained, can help bridge the gap.

“The beauty of kindness is that when we make the effort, it is always worth it,” Thompson said. “You will never regret being kind. Kindness is worth it because kindness creates and adds value to other people’s lives in ways or places where it is missing.”

During the assembly, students were shown Rogers-related videos, including his relating what probably became his most-quoted anecdote:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers, so many caring people in this world.”

Along with acknowledging Thompson as a helper, Muench invited community member Dean Huwe to speak to students about his taking on that type of role.

“My whole life, I’ve been drawn toward public service,” Huwe said, from completing four years of serving in the military to working as a Tri-Community South EMS paramedic, to his 24-year profession as a registered nurse.

On top of that, he serves as Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company firefighter.

“I hope that a lot of you, as you get older, go into public service,” he told the students, “even if you have a regular job.”

For more information about the Fred Rogers Institute, visit www.fredrogersinstitute.org.