Carrying the torch - Hilton resident Shirley (Sparky) Hess, 73, dressed in her Olympic Torch Run regulation uniform and holds the torch she carried down Route 5 in Amherst on December 31. A long-time volunteer in the Hilton School District, Hess was part of the Atlanta to Salt Lake City torch relays which is going through 46 states before it gets to the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 10-23. Photograph for Westside News Inc. by Walter Horylev.

This year, Hilton resident Shirley 'Sparky' Hess took a brisk walk to welcome in the New Year, and it turned out to be one of the most exciting days of her life.

The long-time Hilton School District volunteer had the honor of carrying the Olympic torch down Route 5, Main Street in Amherst, NY. Hess was part of the Atlanta to Salt Lake torch relay, which is going through 46 states before it gets to the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Kelly Boyd, a fellow member of the Hilton United Methodist Church, nominated Hess. Boyd recommended Hess because of her involvement in the Appalachian Service Project, a volunteer effort to fix-up homes for low-income families. Hess traveled to West Virginia to work on a house in need of help.

"I was upset that people in our country live like that," said Hess. "There is nothing that I can do but help out."

When she returned from her trip out west a letter from Salt Lake City was waiting for her.

"When I found the letter that said Salt Lake City I thought, 'Oh well, they must need money.' " said Hess. The letter wasn't asking for money, but it was asking for Hess' assistance. When she told her husband, Bill, what the letter said, he let her know that he had been keeping it a secret.

"It didn't really sink in until other letters started coming," said Hess. The letters informed her of where she would have to go to train and what the regulations were.

"They said that I couldn't use roller blades or skate boards," Hess said with a laugh. "At 73-years-old I didn't think that would be a problem."

Hess opted for a fast-paced walk. As she carried the torch on the 0.2 mile trek, Hess was cheered on by family, friends and other on-lookers. "It was awesome," said Hess. "Carrying the torch was even more special following the September 11 tragedy, as the Olympics might even have been canceled this year." Hess, at the urging of her two children, Bill Jr. and Laurie, chose to purchase the torch she carried. She recently wore her official Olympic uniform and brought the torch to a church service for everyone to see. "It was such a perfect evening. It was like God said this was my day," said Hess. "I wish that everyone could have an opportunity like that."