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  Standing Tall - By Mike Lynch
MikeLynch2.jpgThe home court of St. Mary's High School of Lynn is named the "Tony Conigliaro Gymnasium."

Playing up to the standards set by the late great Tony C (St. Mary's Class of' '62) is a tall task. For the past few seasons one player has stood taller than the rest - literally and figuratively.

Tori Faieta (pronounced Fie-etta) is a junior on the St.Mary's girls basketball team. She stands about 6'1" and wears a constant smile. Tori is a co-captain, averages about 15 points per game and is closing in on 1,000 career points. She is an excellent student and has already drawn the attention of college scouts.Tori also happens to be hearing impaired. 

When Tori was four years old, her hearing began to fade. She has lost about 90 percent of her hearing, She can't hear high pitch tones and she can't hear a referee's whistle. When she is off the court she wears hearing aids in both ears but she doesn't wear them during a game because they get all sweaty and the moisture causes them to fail.

When I spoke with Tori recently she put a microphone on me that transmitted my voice to a receiver in her ear and we had a nice conversation.

"The doctors told my mother not to let me play team sports," Tori explained. "But I convinced them that it was safe and that I love basketball so much it actually helps me."

Tori and her teammates have a system of hand signals in order to communicate, She's been on the varsity since the the 8th grade.

"It does have its advantages, when I'm at the foul line and the opposing crowd boos me and tries to distract me, I can't hear them," Tori laughs.

As to advice for any girl or boy with a hearing impairment?

"Follow your dreams, don't let anyone tell you you can't do something. Always reach for the highest level and just by trying, you win."

Tall words from a winner.
  
  INDEX
 Jul 15, 10
King of What? - By Mike Lynch
 May 14, 10
Triumph and Courage - By Mike Lynch
 Apr 30, 10
Like Father Like Daughter; Alex Carpenter Is Carving Out Her Own Legacy
 Apr 30, 10
The Year to Remember Continues for Former VJW Player Chris Kreider
 Apr 20, 10
Keeping #5 Alive - By Mike Lynch
 Apr 16, 10
Tournament Action Returns to Haverhill in 2010
 Apr 10, 10
Magical Season Comes to an End for VJW '97 Elites at USA Hockey Nationals
 Apr 9, 10
A Class Act - By Mike Lynch
 Apr 8, 10
VJW '97 Elites Loss Sets Stage for Third Day Showdown at Nationals
 Apr 8, 10
VJW '97 Elites Post 3-2 Win Over Columbus at USA Hockey Nationals
 Apr 6, 10
VJW '97 Elites Arrive in New York; Prepare to Take On Nation's Best
 Apr 2, 10
Former VJW Junior A Player Colin Mulvey Captures NCAA National Title
 Mar 22, 10
VJW '97 Elites Prepare for USA Hockey Nationals
 Mar 21, 10
Chris Kreider - Former VJW Standout - Leads BC to NCAA Tournament
 Mar 17, 10
Nothing is Impossible - By Mike Lynch
 Sep 8, 09
Valley Jr Warriors Excel at Labor Day Face-Off Invitational
 Mar 15, 10
Former VJW Junior A Star Cucci Shines in Hockey East Battle
 Mar 14, 10
VJW Mite Selects Bask in NEHL Championship Glory
 Mar 14, 10
VJW '97 Elites Punch Ticket to USA Hockey Nationals in April
 Mar 14, 10
VJW '99 Selects Celebrate Mass State Select League Championship
 Mar 14, 10
VJW '98 Elites Capture New England Hockey League Title
 Mar 7, 10
Former VJW Junior A Standout Nets Year-End League Honors
 Mar 5, 10
Non Sibi - By Mike Lynch
 Feb 22, 10
What Can You Do For Brown? - By Mike Lynch
 Feb 11, 10
VJW Squirt Major Selects Make a Difference Both On and Off the Ice
 Feb 11, 10
VJW Squirt Major Selects Take Time to Help Others In Need
 Feb 5, 10
Valley Jr Warriors Coach Bob Sweeney Joins Beanpot Hall
 Feb 3, 10
Tewksbury Tough - By Mike Lynch
 Jan 5, 10
VJW Teams Battle For Titles at the 2010 JWK Holiday Tournament
 Jan 19, 10
VJW '98 Elites Jonathan Folsom Featured in Local Newspaper
 Jan 18, 10
Standing Tall - By Mike Lynch
 Jan 5, 10
VJW '98 Selects Capture Boston Jr Terriers Tournament Title
 Jan 4, 10
Taking the Pledge in 2010 - By Mike Lynch
 Dec 31, 09
Valley Jr Warriors '98 Elites Take On Bell Capital Cup Challenge
 Dec 28, 09
Former VJW Standout Chris Kreider & Team USA Are World Champions
 Dec 23, 09
Former VJW Star Kreider Named to the 2010 U.S. National Junior Team
 Dec 23, 09
VJW '97 Elites Take Their Game to Canada
 Dec 17, 09
Holiday Shopping List - By Mike Lynch
 Dec 14, 09
Haverhill Valley Forum Enjoys Its Fourth Year of Operation In Style
 Dec 11, 09
Eastern Junior Hockey League Featured in Recent USA Hockey Magazine
 Dec 6, 09
Walking Tall - By Mike Lynch
 Dec 4, 09
Former VJW Players Shine On Collegiate Scene
 Nov 18, 09
Call to Glory - By Mike Lynch
 Nov 15, 09
14th Annual Warrior Classic Comes to a Close
 Nov 15, 09
VJW Teams Battle at Mass State Championship Playdowns
 Nov 12, 09
Riki Retelle Earns EJHL Defensive Player of the Week Honors
 Nov 12, 09
VJW Teams Set For Mass Hockey Tier I & Tier II State Championship Playdowns
 Nov 10, 09
Valley Jr Warriors Junior As Enjoy Weekend Sweep Over CD Selects
 Nov 8, 09
Welcome Home - 4 VJW Teams Return After Strong Showing in Chicago
 Nov 6, 09
Courage - By Mike Lynch
 Nov 1, 09
VJW Teams Poised to Face the Best of the Best
 Oct 30, 09
VJW Junior A Team Making Big Strides
 Oct 13, 09
VJW U-16 IIs Continue Winning and Championship Ways
 Oct 20, 09
The Golden Tornado - By Mike Lynch
 Oct 20, 09
VJW '95 Elites - Picking Up Where They Left Off
 Oct 20, 09
Steve MacAdams Brings Experience & Success to VJW
 Oct 25, 09
USA Hockey Announces H1N1 Recommendations
 Oct 5, 09
No Early Season Jitters for the VJW '98 Elites
 Oct 5, 09
Great Expectations - From Mike Lynch
 Sep 29, 09
VJW Mite Minors Off to a Fast (and Fun!) Start
 Sep 22, 09
VJW '99 Selects Make a Difference On and Off the Ice
 Sep 21, 09
VJW U-16 Midget Standout Brian Ward Heads to Dartmouth College
 Sep 16, 09
VJW Teams Post Impressive 5-1 Record Against Team Comcast
 Sep 16, 09
VJW '96 Selects Skate to Victory at Summer Cool-Off Tournament
 Sep 15, 09
Tom Terrific - Mike Lynch Reflects on Tom Brady
 Sep 8, 09
Valley Jr Warriors '98 Elites Capture WNS Title
 Sep 9, 09
VJW - Junior A Season Preview
 Sep 2, 09
A Happy New Year From Mike Lynch
 Aug 18, 09
VJW's JJ Layton Heads to Little League World Series
 Jul 19, 09
VJW Players Shine at 2009 USA Hockey Player Development Camp
 Jun 29, 09
Chris Kreider Selected No. 19 in 2009 NHL Entry Draft
 Jun 18, 09
VJW Tournaments Make a Return to Haverhill in 2009
 Jun 1, 09
VJW Junior A Team Welcomes Two Key Players for 2009-10 Season