The Trip was Fantastic…!
As you know, my son Carlos and I traveled to Copey, Costa Rica to attend the annual graduation ceremony held at the Copey Learning
Center on Wednesday, November 27th. Emory & Henry University (EHU) Alumni Director Monica Hoel also attended. Together, we proudly represented all the “Friends” and EHU during this very special occasion.
The trip was short but packed with time with friends and wonderful meals. We all returned home overflowing with lasting memories. Shown in the photo from the left are Ruben (Pathway student June 2024) and Margarita (Pathway student June 2023), myself, and Eric (Pathway student June 2023) and Brian (Pathway student 2018).
Thank You Tara..!
I met volunteer teacher Tara Fick for the first time. She was just as impressive in person.
Tara drastically changed her personal life following her retirement in early 2024. She traveled to an unfamiliar country and community and quickly took up residence in Copey to begin her nine month commitment to teach Copey students.
Upon leaving her home of comfort near Toronto, Canada, she soon found her general living conditions in Copey vastly different. The sudden change in life style, cultural differences, taking on a new profession, and much more would prove too much to manage for any less devoted volunteer…but not for Tara.
Tara has our gratitude and most sincere appreciation for weathering all the storms, for staying with the program, and for giving her all to her students. Speaking with her, I know she wishes she could have made a stronger impact
on those young students she had under her educational care. She wishes she could have done more.
I reminded Tara that I view teachers as “seed planters” who often do not witness the harvest. The harvest happens much later. I saw those Copey students graduating from the Copey Learning Center who began their journey ten plus years ago. Those earlier volunteers were the “seed planters” for these graduating students and these planters did not witnessed the harvest at graduation.
During the graduation ceremony, Tara received the “DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD” from Friends of Copey. We expressed our sincere gratitude and thanks for an extraordinary job well done.
Monica and Catalina…”Hearts of Servants”
Both Monica and Catalina were also recognized for the exemplary demonstration of their commitment to the students affiliated with the Copey Learning Center. I stood proud with these two unselfish servants during the ceremony. Students shared with the audience how much they appreciated the support and friendships they have with Monica and Catalina.
During the graduation ceremony, Monica and Catalina received their long overdue recognition for their unselfish service and support to the Copey Learning Center by being honored with the “HEART OF A SERVANT AWARD” by Friends of Copey.
Another Servant of Distinction…!
Dr. Ed Davis of Emory & Henry University (EHU) spent the weekend in Costa Rica along with Professor Shelly Koch and eight university students. The time in Copey
was used to interact with the Learning Center students. This is Dr. Davis’ third visit to Copey and his second year leading university students to Costa Rica.
Dr. Davis leads his students to Copey because he believes there is a special or unique educational experience waiting for them in this small community. This is not a quick side trip. Prior to departing the univesity, the students developed educational activities to be used specifically with the Copey students when they arrive. (Photo EHU students working with Copey students)
From my narrow and distant vantage point, I believe such an experience is fairly uncommon for most university students who travel abroad.
How so? Well, EHU has a long standing and personal relationship with the students in Copey. Dr. Davis knows the Copey community and the community knows him. All of the Copey students who have traveled to EHU under the Pathway Project since 2016 are well acquainted with Dr. Davis.
Dr. Davis knows with certainty from past experiences his students will be welcomed in Copey. There will be young students waiting to participate in the planned activities. There are many other choices and places Dr. Davis could take his university students. Instead, he leads them to Copey for a sure fire educational experience and a real life encounter with a different culture and community. This is one of the many reasons I have the highest regard for Dr. Davis. He is an excellent educator and a wonderful friend. Dr. Davis plants and enjoys the harvest.
Everything you wrote about in this blog is affirming and inspiring. There are so many good people in the world, and you seem to be a good people magnet, Scrapper. Happy Holidays to all Friends of Copey and the students and their families of Copey.