SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - The Gary Rome Auto Group Surprise Squad is back to tell you the story of a senior at Duggan Academy in Springfield. Through all the struggles throughout her life, this senior has risen above with the biggest support system from her friends, family and school faculty.

Meet 17-year-old Celeste McCain, she’s a senior at Duggan Academy, she excels at her studies and shows leadership with her teammates while playing sports through teamwork, with her work-ethic and self-motivation setting a powerful example for her peers.

Her parents, who are current and former first responders, said she has had to be strong since day 1, “Celeste was a strong baby at birth. She was premature. So, from the start, she had some trouble. She’s allergic to everything under the sun, but she grew up very active, bubbly, very people person. She loves kids. And she has a warm heart,” said Celeste’s mother, Noemi Torres. “She always wanted to help kids. We asked her what she wants for her birthday or Christmas, things like that. She doesn’t want anything because we taught her the difference between wants and needs. So, she’s always more of a giving than wanting,” said her father, Gregory McCain.

And through some struggles at home, her parents are grateful for the role Duggan, and its faculty has played in keeping celeste on track, “I got sick, still going through it, and they helped, he and I, with a lot. With being at Duggan, they help keep her focused, they help her stay motivated, not slip. No time for slipping. There’s no time to not do homework. You have to keep up. You have to stay up. And that’s what Duggan did for my daughter, for our daughter,” said Torres.

It’s that support from the faculty at Duggan that has kept Celeste motivated to stay on track, and even make sure her peers on track, “she has made me a more mature man, if we can say it in that way. She has brought discipline into my life, discipline that I wouldn’t have been able to find if I wouldn’t have met her,” said Celeste’s boyfriend Michael Ramos.

And got the attention of the administration, “Well, before becoming the high school dean, I was the eighth-grade dean, and I met Celeste there. What clicked in my head is that she constantly exhibits kindness, and that’s one of our mottoes. Work hard, be nice, let’s get going. She was nice and respectful. And, you know, with a lot of different kids, those are those kids that stand out. They have this light about them. And she stood out to me from that very first day,” said the High School Dean of Duggan Academy Lisa Hall.

Celeste stood out so much so, that the High School Dean at Duggan nominated Celeste herself, to be this month’s Super Student, “I had constantly seen this, the commercial. And while sitting at home, it really just came to me. It actually came to me that who would be the ideal person who embodies all of our scholarship of habits, like responsibility, perseverance, all of those wonderful things that Duggan embodies here. And so, immediately, I believe that the spirit just pressed upon me to nominate Celeste McCain.”

There’s nothing left to do, but have everyone show up, and show how much love they all have for Celeste. Gary Rome has just what she needs to get a jump start on whatever the future may bring. Even city leaders wanted to get in on the chance to recognize Celeste. Celeste has this advice for anyone looking for a little pick me up, while they try to navigate their challenges.

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