BOSTON - Michaela Gagne Hetzler of Fall River will be honored as a member of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s 2020 class of Commonwealth Heroines. State Rep. Alan Silvia recommended Hetzler for this recognition "because of her generous contribution to the community," according to a release.

Hetzler will be honored with the other Commonwealth Heroines for her outstanding contributions to her community. The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women will be virtually celebrating the 17th annual Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2020.

Hetzler is currently in her 10th year serving as a licensed mental health counselor and school adjustment counselor at the high school level in Fall River, and she previously served five years as an art teacher in a residential setting. Her advocacy for social emotional learning has led her to speak to diverse audiences regarding the importance of supporting youth mental health, the release stated.

Hetzler serves as the community’s Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator and assists in organizing various events, including the Police and Public Palooza, Peace by Piece Summit, Fall River Youth & Candidate Night, and the Fall River Youth & Family Fest. She sits on many committees, including the Fall River Youth Soccer Association Executive Board, Katie Brown Educational Program Executive Board, St. Vincent’s Services Human Rights Committee, while also co-chairing the Fall River Suicide Prevention Task Force and Fall River Youth Empowerment Task Force. She enjoys coaching soccer locally, and previous volunteer work includes traveling the country as a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association and assisting to set up a medical clinic in the Bukoba region of Tanzania

A complete list of this year’s honorees is available by contacting the Commission at mcsw@state.ma.us.