MY HEROES — RAY MANARD

Absolutely, my parents were my first heroes ... my mother with her incredible work ethic and my father always challenging me to be a better human being.

My colleagues at Crystal Pix are also my heroes, with their creative drive and undaunted spirits to bring our video and interactive productions to new heights.

And my business partners, whose unwavering integrity and entrepreneurship are always an inspiration.

But, through the many productions I have been a part of over the last 30 years, I have met many more heroes. They're not famous and you probably won't recognize their names, but they show great courage with noble qualities and I admire them for their many achievements ... all the attributes of a hero, don't you think?

Here are just a couple of my many heroes over the past few years:

From Ontario A-R-C, there's Dan who loves his job at Wegmans and his son ... and Nicole the 'rock star' 10th grader, so full of life and energy.

From the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester, there's O'Neil who excels at STEM ... and Asad, the entrepreneur of A Taste of Supreme Bakery at the Public Market

Then there is the group of volunteers from the Paychex marketing department who did incredible volunteer work for Children Awaiting Parents to help spread the word.

Sister Judy, who ministers to the inmates at the Monroe County jail for the Diocese of Rochester.

Nawar, an Iraqi refugee, who with the help of Catholic Family Center works very hard to start a new life for him and his family here in the U.S.

And Robert, a Vietnam War veteran and the many fellow soldiers who sacrificed themselves for our country.

These are my heroes ...