Council honors Young Queens flag football, longtime coach Jojo Feliciano and designer Justin Haynes

The Springfield City Council used its proclamation and tributes portion June 22 to honor local youth and community contributors.

Councilor Zita Govahn presented a citation recognizing the Mass Young Queens all-girls flag football team for "empowerment, inclusion, and excellence through sport," reading the founders' and players' names and thanking parents and coaches. Coach D. Coomba (identified from remarks) said the team operates without fees to ensure access for families who otherwise could not afford registration or photographs; "No young athlete should miss out on an opportunity because their family cannot afford it," the coach said.

The council also recognized Jose "Jojo" Feliciano for long service mentoring young basketball players; multiple councilors described Feliciano's positive impact on families and youth programs and presented a proclamation noting his coaching at Springfield Commonwealth Academy and community teams.

Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce presented a proclamation honoring clothing designer Justin Haynes, who has opened a studio at Tower Square and was named grand marshal of the Springfield Public Schools parade. Haynes thanked councilors and family and described leaving a salaried job to pursue fashion: "I quit my job ... I wasn't going back," he said, and he thanked his mother and local supporters who helped him grow his business.

All three honorees and their supporters were invited to pose for photographs before the council moved into the hearings portion of the evening.