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School committee votes to recommend naming Chestnut gymnasium for student Andrea Lee Sophia
Summary
The committee voted to send to the buildings and maintenance subcommittee a request to consider renaming Chestnut's gymnasium in memory of Andrea Lee Sophia; committee voted in favor by roll call.
The Springfield School Committee voted Sept. 18 to recommend to the Buildings and Maintenance Subcommittee that Chestnut School’s gymnasium be named in memory of student Andrea Lee Sophia. Superintendent Dr. Denault and community speakers described Sophia as a three‑sport athlete and a unifying presence at Chestnut. "We respectfully propose that we change the gymnasium's name to Andrea Lee Sophia Gymnasium," a Chestnut community representative said during the presentation.
Why it matters: The naming would be a permanent memorial on district property intended to honor a student’s impact on school culture. Committee protocol requires review in the Buildings and Maintenance Subcommittee before final approval; the committee recorded a motion, a second, and a roll call vote forwarding the request.
Vote and procedure: Attorney Peter Murphy made the motion and Miss Gresham seconded. The roll call recorded votes of "Yes" from Attorney Murphy, Mr. Collins, Miss Gresham, Miss Bruno Naylor and Mayor Domenic Sarno; Mr. Gonzales and Miss Hurst were absent. The chair said the matter would proceed to the subcommittee for further review.
Discussion versus action: The committee’s action was to refer the naming to the appropriate subcommittee; no final renaming ordinance or binding dedication took place at the full committee meeting. Committee members offered condolences and commended Chestnut staff and family for organizing a proposed permanent tribute.
Background: Presenters said the Chestnut community has established an annual memorial event, the "Forever 12 Classic," in collaboration with Andrea's mother and school leaders; the naming proposal was framed as a way to make the tribute permanent.
