By J.D. O’Gara

Hundreds of Franklin residents donned their best red, white and blue and headed down to the Franklin Town Common to welcome home U.S. Women’s Rugby Sevens Team player Kristi Kirshe back to her hometown on Tuesday, August 20th. Kirshe was ushered in in high style, with a Franklin Police and Franklin Fire escort. She was introduced and welcomed by Franklin Recreation Director Ryan Jette, commended and recognized on behalf of the Town of Franklin by the Town Council’s Debbie Pellegri, and lauded and thanked on behalf of the MA House of Representatives by Rep. Jeff Roy. Sen. Becca Rausch, unable to come, also sent a proclamation recognizing Kirshe on behalf of the MA State Senate.

Kirshe solidified her status as a hometown hero, answering myriad questions from, largely, young people in town, as well as from Ray Auger, of MYFM 103.3. If anyone had questioned her status as a role model for younger girls, it was answered when young Emery asked, “Can I be an Olympics champion when I grow up?” to which Kirshe replied, “Of course you can.” Later, young Laya (sic) asked a similar question, “Do you think I can be an Olympic medalist for soccer?,” to which Kirshe replied, “Do you want to? That’s your big dream? … Then chase it, with everything you’ve got.” The young girl pressed further, asking what she’d have to do. The Franklin Olympian responded, “I think you’ll have to work pretty hard, and I think you’re going to have to do it when you don’t really want to do it. People see the 1% of the moments, but it’s the 99% of the moments behind the scenes that get you to that moment.”

Shown are some images from the event.