Michelle Champion

Michelle Champion has been chosen as this week’s focus because of her enthusiasm for preserving Hudson’s land, and her undying passion for making our community a better place to live.

Champion is an Officer in the United States Air Force, and is currently working as an electrical engineer at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts. Her husband Terry owns a small computer business in Chelmsford. Terry was previously enrolled in the Air Force. Now a civilian, he holds various contracts with the Department of Defense and works part-time, out of Hanscom. Champion and her husband have two children, Kathleen and Jeff, ages 14 and 12. Since moving and settling into Hudson in 1985, Champion has made getting involved, and staying involved an integral part of her life.

A member of the Conservation Commission since 1986, Champion has been working to protect open space throughout Hudson. One of the more significant projects Champion helped accomplish was preserving the Musquash conservation land. While working with various members in the community, Champion mapped out the many trails located on the land. “It was really great because I had the opportunity to work with high school students and boy scouts who were so enthusiastic,” says Champion.

Champion says her passion for “saving the land” probably grew out of her childhood memories. As a child, Champion lived in a wooded sub-division. “I spent so much of my time outside, on the trails. We’d often take the trails to the local shopping center,” recalls Champion. “But mostly, I used those trails to bike ride to my local library, and check out books,” says Champion. “My first job was actually at that library,” she adds.

Champion recalls vivid memories of entering junior high school. It was during that time of her life when those much-loved woods outside her house were torn down to accommodate housing developments. “As the wetlands were filled, I witnessed losing the place where I had once played,” recalls Champion. “And with that,” she adds, “I saw the problems that came with disrupting the wastelands, such as water filling peoples basements. Perhaps that’s part of what drives me most,” says Champion. Champion is also an active member of the Friends of Hudson Natural Resources, working with the same goal of protecting Hudson’s open land.

Working to better the community, for the sake of the environment and children, seems to be a priority for Champion. Champion is a Girl Scout Leader for the Cadette Troop #78. She says that while working with the girls ages 12-14 can at times be rather frustrating, it’s exciting to see the end reward. For instance, “When the girls finally pull things together, after having long debates, it’s great to see the end result. They usually make fair choices in the end,” says Champion. For this mother of two, it’s also an opportunity to spend quality time with her own teenage daughter who is one of her Cadette’s. “It’s a nice way to be involved in my daughter’s life, when at this age, kids usually start pulling away. I really enjoy all of the camping trips, and simply watching kids be kids.”

Concerned also on the issue of children and education, Champion has in the past, devoted her time volunteering at Nottingham West School. There, she volunteered her time working within the school banking program, the school newspaper, and assisting in a third grade class. More recently, Champion was elected co-president of the Hudson Junior Woman’s Club (HJWC), which she is a long-time member of.

“I enjoy being a member of the HJWC because it gives me the opportunity to meet a bunch of very involved women. I’m continuously awed by what people have done over the years, and how much time they’ve given, to help improve the community.” She says that what drives her passion for the organization is the feeling of accomplishment you get when you know that you’ve contributed to your community. Serving the Hudson Junior Women’s Club offers Champion the opportunity to combine her love for nature, arts, and children, all while actively involving herself in projects that strive to cultivate positive end results.

“I really enjoy Hudson, because it’s still somewhat rural. It’s nice to come home and have trees around you,” says Champion.

Community Questions

If you had a magic wand and could change one thing about Hudson, what would it be?

“I’d open a new library. This town is way overdue. We’ve put in new fire station, police station, highway garage, etc. The size of our library has not grown to keep up with community. A library is an indicator of how “good” a town is. What I mean by that is that it takes a commitment from the community to put money into an educational and cultural resource such as the library.”

If you were in the presence of a selectman and could ask any question, what would it be?

“Why has the process for purchasing the Benson’s property taken this long?”

What is your vision for Hudson?

“I’d like to see more open spaced land protected. I’d like to see the town show more long-range vision on how the rest of Hudson is going to be developed. I’d like to see a new library, and also see the town have it’s own cultural center; a place where we can go and watch the kids put on plays or concerts.”

What is your favorite book and why?

“To Kill a Mockingbird - I admired the character of Addicus Finch. He’s got a gentle manner, and yet stands up for what’s right.”

If you could ask President Bush any one question, what would it be?

“How will you get us out of the mess in Iraq? And, how are you going to repair the view of America and the world?”