A Warsaw Community High School graduate helped raise a dolphin seen in the movie “Dolphin Tale 2.” According to Kathy Hamman, Warsaw, her daughter, Sara Hamman McConnell, helped raise the baby dolphin, Hope, featured in the movie, which is out in theaters now. McConnell lives in St. Petersburg and has been a volunteer at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for several years. Hamman indicated Hope was rescued Dec. 11, 2010. “She was found circling her momma trying to nurse, but her mother was dead. Several members of the cast, along with people from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, were actually at a party to celebrate the finalization of the movie ‘Dolphin Tale’ when they received the call that a baby dolphin had been rescued. Hope was transported to Clearwater and volunteers (one of which was our daughter) kept a 24-hour watch on her,” Hamman wrote in her email to the Times-Union. McConnell worked a full-time job but would drive to Clearwater one or two nights per week to help take care of Hope, Hamman wrote. Volunteers took turns working four-hour shifts around the clock. This continued for several months. McConnell wasn't at the party when the call came in. The aquarium was charging quite a bit of money to attend the party and she felt she couldn't attend. “The party wasn't her main interest – but taking care of that baby dolphin was the chance of a lifetime – something she'd dreamed of doing,” Hamman wrote. “We are so thankful she got to live her dream. A lot of us dream of doing something like that – she actually got to do it.” Hamman said a “dolphin specialist” was at the aquarium one day and was saying that normally he worked with animals who are sick or hurt. He looked at McConnell and another volunteer and said, “This dolphin is healthy and she needs to play. Do you girls want to ...” That's about all he got out of his mouth when McConnell and the other young lady ran to get their wetsuits on and they got to swim and play ball with Hope. McConnell’s main responsibilities at the aquarium included working with the sea turtles and the manta rays. She “retired” with the birth of their first child late last year, but continues as an official turtle nest watcher. Hamman also wrote, “I went to see the movie last night and I told the other people in the theater that our daughter got to help raise baby Hope. They were awestruck that someone from Warsaw had a part in raising her.” A link to the aquarium and the section on Hope can be found at http://www.seewinter.com/hope
