HOTM Header 2025 Higgins Update
2025 Heroes of the Match
2025 Heroes of the Match
Cathy Bender | 3.29.25
Johnny Rodman | 3.22.25
Sarah Fuller | 3.8.25
Officer Tameeka Southern, Antioch HS SRO | 2.22.25
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2024 Heroes of the Match
2024 Heroes of the Match
Hero of the Match 10.2 | Jennifer Everett-Damewood
Hero of the Match 9.21 | Conexion Americas: Latino Essay Award Finalists
Hero of the Match 9.18 | Manuel Cuevas
Hero of the Match 8.24 | Dominic Gamez
Hero of the Match 7.17 | Bobbilyn Negron and Dexter Adams
Hero of the Match 6.29 | Mike Knott
Hero of the Match 6.22 | Chief John Drake
Hero of the Match 6.1 | Olivia Hill
SSG Caleb Rinderer, SGT Juan Ramirez Sanchez, SPC Azaiah Lee, SPC Steven Larsen, SPC Kale Camacho
5.15.24 | Thomas Thang Lian Piang
Hero of the Match 5.4 | Mohamed Shukri Hassan
Hero of the Match 4.27 | Frank Ponzio
Heroes of the Match 4.6 | Capt. Joshua Alexander, FF. Matthew Parker, FF. Devonte Heard
Hero of the Match 3.30 | Candice Lee
Hero of the Match 3.16 | Sharon Roberson
Hero of the Match 3.10 | Chandra Cheeseborough
Heroes of the Match 2.25 | Sgt. Jeff Mathes, Det. Michael Collazo, Det. Zachary Plese
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2023 Heroes of the Match
2023 Heroes of the Match
Ems Deputy Chief Fred Smith began his career with Nashville Fire Department 28 Years ago as a paramedic. Smith rose through the ranks to the Commander of Ems Operations, and ultimately to Ems Deputy Director in February 2023 in a promotion appointed by Director Chief William Swann.
Tayla Brown is a pre-kindergarten teacher at Cambridge Early Learning Center in Antioch. Tayla was named the overall Teacher of the Year for Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Lance Edmiston is from Middle Tennessee and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. In the same year, Lance beat his cancer and is honored to be sharing his story today to shine a light on other men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Please join us in welcoming Lance Edmiston, our Nashville SC Hero of the Match!
Jessie Garcia Knowles is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce. Since 2007, Jessie has been working in the Latino community, building collaborative work around access to education and career opportunities.
Wesley Vasquez Merida is a Kick Childhood Cancer Ambassador who loves Nashville SC and is currently in treatment at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. Wesley helped design the 2023 commemorative KCC scarf and patch which will be sold throughout September with proceeds benefitting the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital.
Kimberly Alexander is a sponsor of several international college students from Trinidad and Tobago. For the past three years, Kimberly has provided guidance and financial support to help them adapt to American culture and focus on obtaining their degrees.
Richard Casper is a United States Marine Veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and the co-founder and Executive Director of CreatiVets, a non-profit that provides art, music, and writing programs for wounded veterans with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. Richard was named a CNN Hero in 2022 and one of TIME magazine's Next Generation Leaders in 2017.
Howard Gentry is a Nashville native who was elected three times to countywide public office, and was a metro council member-at-large before being elected Nashville’s first and, to date, only African-American vice mayor. Howard currently serves as the Davidson county criminal court clerk and holds numerous board affiliations and appointments from the mayor and governor.
Please welcome tonight’s Hero of the Match, Brit Manor who serves as the LGBTQ+ Liaison for the Nashville-Davidson County Sheriff’s Office. His job duties include recruiting, peer support, training, and community outreach. He works with different divisions to develop standard operating procedures and policies regarding inclusive and equitable treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Christine Lai serves as the President of the Greater Nashville Chinese Association. She is enthusiastic and passionate about promoting Asian heritage, culture, and learning resources and proactively engages other communities to promote diversity in Middle Tennessee.
Janet Jernigan is the former executive director of FiftyForward, the largest organization in Middle Tennessee serving adults 50 and older. During her 29 years of service, she has led expansion of centers and supportive care services for vulnerable adults needing special care.
Matthew Pyle used skills learned in Scouting to help assist neighbors in need after a devastating tornado hit his neighborhood. His quick action and first aid skills helped to save lives.
Through funding provided by the Nashville SC Community Fund, Bethel Derege, Millie Peterson, Sarah Wang, Youssoupha Charles, and Hodan Mohamud are leading projects to raise awareness about environmental issues and help create more sustainable communities.
Officer Chuck Embry is part of the Metro Nashville Police Department! Chuck works as a liaison to the unhoused community and provides resources including mental health services, housing, and job placement.
Kyle Guess Jr. from the Nashville Fire Department has been assigned to Special Operations since 2016. In May of 2022, he, and his crew, rescued 3 people from residential fires over a span of 5 shifts.
Becca Stevens is a speaker, justice entrepreneur, author, priest, and founder and President of Thistle Farms! She has been named a CNN Hero, and White House Champion of Change, holds five honorary doctorates, and raised over $75M in funding for justice initiatives. Becca leads important conversations across the country with an inspiring message that love is the strongest force for change in the world.
National Soccer’s 2012 Hall of Fame Inductee, Desmond Armstrong represented the U.S. at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul and in 1990 was the first African American to perform for Team USA at the FIFA World Cup in Italy. He is also the first American to sign with the famed Santos club in Brazil.
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Do you know someone making a difference in the community? Nominate them for Hero of the Match today!