Williamsburg's Hometown Heroes Project Inspires Massachusetts Teen

When brainstorming ideas for a civics class project, most eighth graders in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, wanted to clean up parks.

Laura Bronson had a different idea.

Her mother, Lynne, closely follows the Williamsburg Then, Williamsburg Now Facebook page, and she told Laura about the Hometown Heroes project.

Laura came to visit her grandparents in Williamsburg, and she knew that would be her project.

“She saw all of the banners, and got very interested,” said Laura’s grandmother, Sue Brubaker.

Laura’s teacher was thrilled with the idea. She helped Laura, who has met with the mayor and members of the Veterans Association multiple times.

Laura, now in ninth grade, is currently in the “design and deadlines” phase, choosing which banner design to go with and when to have steps completed.

With the help of her parents, Lynne and James, Laura will collect applications and go through them.

“I think she wants to do strictly veterans, rather than hometown heroes,” said Brubaker.

According to Brubaker, both of Laura’s grandfathers were in the military.

“Her Grandpap Bronson recently died, and she got his medals,” said Brubaker, which she thinks sparked Laura’s interest in veterans.

“She’s very interested in history,” said Brubaker.

When trying to choose a design, Laura submitted a design she found online and one from Williamsburg.

Brubaker said the people at city hall are very impressed with Laura.

“They say, ‘She’s a go-getter. She’s going places.’”

Brubaker also describes Laura as a go-getter.

“As long as she has permission, she’s doing it,” said Brubaker.

The 14-year-old does not have a projected conclusion to her project, but she has made great progress with the help of her teacher, the mayor and the Veterans Association.

Williamsburg’s Hometown Heroes project was spearheaded by Michelle Stultz and the Women’s Civic Club. Stultz had seen similar banners in multiple places while traveling.