“What the mind can conceive and believe, and the heart desire, you can achieve.”
― Norman Vincent Peale
My “Friends” we are surely “Possiblitarians”. I enjoy the positive messages Dr. Norman Vincent Peale provided over the years. He encouraged “raising our sights and see possibilities-always see them for they’re always there.” The Learning Center along with “Friends” represent the thinking and imagination of “Possiblitarians”. You being a “Friend”, qualifies you as such.
This week the Learning Center is primarily under the control of both Marguerite and Markki, last year’s volunteers, during Angela’s absence for a couple of weeks. Both have returned to pick up where they left off. They bring back their awareness of the community, the parents, and certainly the students, allowing for teaching to resume with very little change.
I promised last week to introduce you to 
the college students who will be traveling to the Copey Learning Center in May. Both students represent the Emory & Henry College’s (E&H) Bonner Scholar Program. The Bonner Scholars are part of a program through the Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation, which provides around 1500 students at over 27 colleges and universities with scholarships in exchange for their commitment to community service and activism.
Casey Heinlein is our featured E&H College student this week who has been selected to provide community service as a volunteer at the Learning Center. There is little question why Casey is one of the two selected volunteers. She claims Winchester, Virginia as her hometown and will be entering her junior year when she travels to Copey in May.
Casey is majoring in Civic Innovation and Religion with a minor in Mathematics. She is very active as a student volunteer on and off campus with various groups and organizations. Her plans immediately after graduation in a couple years are not certain, but she believes her long term goal includes having a summer service camp for children, youth, and adults where they each can learn about serving with others and serving for others.
Casey says, “I have a very strong passion for service and building relationships through service, which is one of the many reasons why I originally applied for this opportunity in Copey. I love working with children and youth and am incredibly excited and thankful to be volunteering with the Learning Center where I can meet so many amazing and inspiring individuals. I hope everyone in Copey is excited as I am! “
I can assure Casey the community of Copey, the staff at the Learning Center, and the students all are excited for her arrival. While I am on this, I will give a real big “shout out” to E&H College. Casey represents a student body that is a caring and a very service oriented community of young folks. Emory & Henry College has a culture that encourages service to others and because of this culture, it is not by coincidence that 
Casey attends this college. Also, it is this same culture which in partnership with “Friends”, will be the first college in the USA to bring Angela and two of its top students from the Learning Center to its college campus in June. Therefore, my pride runs deep for Casey who is demonstrating a tremendous generosity of her time, sharing of her talents, and expending her personal resources. My pride also runs deep for the college and for its affiliation with the Bonner Scholar Program which supports this type of student volunteer service.
Next week, I look forward to introducing you to our second E&H College student, Xavier Marshall, who will be joining Casey at the Learning Center.
Lisa Baldwin commented on last week’s Post regarding our story on the young Copey 15 year old student Celeste. Lisa said, “WOW! Celeste’s words and writing are amazing. The students at Emory & Henry will certainly learn a lot from her. What an amazing opportunity for all involved.” Lisa expresses the same sentiments many of us share as we look forward to Celeste, Noelia, and Angela arriving on the E&H College campus in June.
Other News:
Executive Director Position
Goal= $2,000 *Donations/Pledges Received= $1,650 Balance=$350
Progress is being made but remains slow. We have Plan B being put in place now to help us raise the final $350 and get us over the finish line. We have yet to fail to meet our financial commitments to the Learning Center. This goal will be met. More info on this next week.