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Part III – Sparks of Possibilities!

“Friends… they cherish one another’s hopes. They are kind to one another’s dreams.”                      By  Henry David Thoreau     

 
Today, June 26, we are all back home safely and we can all look back over the past couple weeks and be astonished that so much has happened. It was all good! Angela, Ana Yancy, Fatima, and Ariana all returned home to Copey on Saturday evening. Their two-week visit to the US and to our college campus was filled with many breath-taking experiences.

I promised more photos. Most of these are covering time during the second week when the Young Scholars Institute and Leadership Program was held on campus. Both Angela and Ana Yancy participated as teachers and counselors while Fatima and Ariana attended classes.

Photos of Angela and Ana Yancy conducting classes with many US students. Also, Fatima and Ariana performed their cultural dance for all the students. And, of course, just more fun things like standing in Virginia and Tennessee at the same time, and visiting the Country Music Capital located in Bristol, Tennessee.  More photos to follow.Emory Group 3  Emory Group 5

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Campus

Bristol 2

Emory Group

Bristol    Emory Group 2

Once back home, Fatima and Ariana will instantly become the latest local celebrities and role models for other students to follow. Similar to Noelia and Celeste in 2016, we will have two more outstanding ambassadors inspiring more students to take education seriously.

As “Friends of Copey”, we have been successful.

Each of the four guests represented the country of Costa Rica and the Copey community in grand fashion. As “Friends” we are certainly encouraged to continue the “Pathway Project” as we look forward to the next two students coming our way in 2018.

In closing, several times over the past couple weeks I heard how really wonderful this “Pathway Project” is. Many seem to think this is something very special. My reply is simply that we do not have to be rich and famous or have some special intelligence or be gifted. For the most part, we just believe in possibilities. We believe that if enough people can cause “sparks of possibilities” to start…we then can move on to “probabilities”. This project began simply as a possibility…today it is a fantastic reality.

 

 

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Part II- Sparks of Possibilities

As promised, today I am sharing some of the very special photos showing some of the 1st time experiences of Adriana and Fatima…even some for Ana Yancey. We are having a great time and you have to be present to experience the first time reactions to many new things.  These are only a few photos and more will be shared later.

Airplanewhite house 1

WashingtonNatural Bridge

bowlingTennesseeCampusThere has been a wide range of activities since their arrival to the US. The time spent in Washington, D.C. included visits to the White House, Lincoln Memorial, and the Smithsonian. They attended the Kennedy Center to watch the New York Ballet perform and that was very special. Traveling down Interstate 81 included the stop at the Natural Bridge, Planetarium, and the caverns. Since arriving on campus, their time has been spent attending the reception, shopping, bowling, rock climbing, the trampoline, time at the lake swimming and boat paddling, attending a live concert, and eating at different restaurants. Later today, they will go hiking. This has been a fun-filled week with endless excitement.

I will be saying goodbye to them this evening and on Monday I travel to eastern Virginia to visit my aunts. Angela, Ana Yancey, Fatima, and Adriana will still be on campus next week attending the Young Scholars Institute and Leadership Program.

http://www.ehc.edu/academics/summer-programs-and-camps/summer-scholars/.  

Voted Best Summer Camp by Virginia Living Magazine

The Emory & Henry Summer Scholars program is a one-week residential academic program for rising middle and high school students inclined toward academic adventure. For rising 6th – 9th graders, the traditional Summer Scholars program offers a unique mix of learning activities designed to broaden academic interests and expose students to a college-like setting. The Leadership Program, for rising 10th-12th graders, provides the same academic adventure while building the student’s leadership skills. 

They will depart one week from today and will leave behind many new friends and will take home many memories and a treasure chest of stories to share.  Once again “Friends of Copey”…you helped make this all happen!

 

 

 

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The Sparks of Possibilities…!

“Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”       by Golda Meir

“The Eagle Has Landed”

This is one of my favorite quotes. I recall the day in July 1969 when Apollo 11 landed on the moon and Neil Armstrong called out to Mission Control… “The Eagle Has Landed”.  As a college student it was an exciting and memorable event.

Eagle

When it was confirmed that Angela and our other three Costa Rican guests had arrived safely at Dulles Internatonal Airport last Saturday, I just instinctively said to myself…“The Eagle Has Landed.”  

The landing on the moon was clearly an enormous collaboration of parts and pieces from partnerships among government and non-government participants all focused on the single purpose of getting Apollo 11 safely to the moon and back home. Obviously, on a much much smaller scale than Apollo 11, the single focus and purpose of the “Pathway Project” was to bring two more extraordinary students from the Copey community to our country and to the Emory & Henry College campus. This too involved the collaboration of various partners working together successfully. These partners are found in Copey, the Pacific Northwest, throughout Virginia including the college campus, and supporters from all over including New Orleans, Honolulu, and places like Asheville, Charlotte, and Raleigh, North Carolina to mention just a few.

Largest “Friends of Copey” gathering since forming in early 2014  

The day following their arrival on campus, an exciting reception was held to officially welcome our guests. The event was hosted by Dr. Celeste Gaia and George Whitley.  Many “Friends” attended the reception and expressed their interest and support for the “Pathway Project”.  As seen below in their traditional/cultural attire, Fatima and Adriana performed a dance unique to their region and community.

Reception 1

We were joined by Melody Lipford, our EH volunteer student who just returned from Copey after nearly 5 weeks of service at the Learning Center. Her mother also attended and confirmed that Melody returned home from Copey a different young lady.

Reception 2

Arthur, Fatima, Melody, Adriana, and Ana Yancy

Melody is a more confident and determined young student who has been inspired to continue moving along her educational path. The entire reception was an even richer experience for us all as Melody had the opportunity to share the reception with those she worked with over the past month.

This first week for the students is designed to be mostly fun, with site-seeing, and various recreational activities. Most of our photos will show these special times over the next several days.

Lake 1

Adriana and Fatima Paddle Boating

You will see photos from their Washington, D.C. site-seeing adventures and their time at Natural Bridge and the underground caverns in Virginia. Since arriving on campus, the official reception has been held and yesterday afternoon time was spent at the famous Hungry Mother State Park and then pizza last night. All this has been done with still bowling, hiking, biking and much more to do before classes start next week on campus for the students.

We plan to show you as much as possible all of the experiences accumulating during this and next week. But, what we cannot easily show is the enormous impact this “Pathway Project” has on these students and the impact this will have on other Learning Center students and the community. Their excitement and their enjoyment is clearly evident in every aspect of their day. This helps me understand how much I and others take for granted living in this USA.

“Friends of Copey”, this is a very proud time for us. We have applied our many resources and talents to the “Pathway Project”.  “Friends”, regardless of the type of support you have provided be it spiritual, financial, or even emotional…all of it has been needed and has contributed to the success of this project. Even if you are a short timer or have been on board as a “Friend” from the very beginning, this is a time for celebration because                                                                          “The Eagle Has Landed!”

 

 

Walking Your Talk…!

“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”                              By Bobby Unser

Just within days, the Costa Rican guests will be arriving in the US and then to the Emory & Henry College campus. The results of many months planning and various people working together will soon be evident to us all.

The recent photo below is one that speaks volumes about the continuous efforts of the “Friends of Copey” as useful and meaningful partners with the Copey Learning Center.

CLC EH team

Angela, Fatima, Noelia, Celeste, Adriana, Ana Yancy

This is one of the best photos I have received from the Copey Learning Center. Shown are the past and current Executive Directors. Also shows the past students (Noelia and Celeste) who visited E&H College last summer and the current students (Fatima and Adriana) heading our way.

The community of Copey can proclaim that in a short 12 month period, four of their brightest and best students have visited the US and our college.

 

The Pathway Project Fundraising Results

There is so much praise and “thank yous” to pass around. I am overwhelmed by the

Good News

generosity and interest so many of you have for this project. As of today, we can proclaim victory and success having exceeded the fundraising goal by several hundred dollars. My previous report indicated the campaign was officially closed with several hundred dollars “below” our goal. But, I also indicated there were funds still forthcoming and they have been received.

Just Outstanding!

My desired goal was to have the Pathway Project 100% funded by my E&H College friends and affiliated members of the college.

Progress Tracking Report

The total amount ($3,065.00) raised includes some donations from donor “Friends” who did not receive my request since they were not in the E&H category. However, E&H friends and affiliates did donate enough to meet and exceed the goal of $2,700.00.

Now, two years running, let it be clear that the “Pathway Project” involving our college has been successfully funded by friends and affiliates of the college. And, if some of you still want to join in with a donation, Thank you and..send the donation in.

We are covering basic travel expenses and also want the experience to be as memorable as possible. For example, once they arrive in DC, they will spend time looking at the sites and will attend the Kennedy Center to watch the NYC Ballet performance. Then while traveling down Interstate 81, they will visit the Natural Bridge. If there are funds unspent at the conclusion of this project, these funds roll over to next year. You can pay forward as well.

As a reminder, the funding for this effort is supported in three parts. The community of Copey, parents, and friends all contribute in various way to cover the cost for the preparations and readiness needed for the students to travel to the US. The college support includes hosting and providing a wide variety of experiences for all of our guests while on or near campus. This includes finding support to cover tuition for the Young Scholars course both Fatima and Adriana will attend with other students. And, “Friends of Copey” is responsible for travel costs for all four guests as they depart Costa Rica and return to Costa Rica. There is a real joy in our ability to “Walk the Talk!”

Welcome Party

There is planned an official greeting and reception for our guests shortly after their Celebration balloons.arrival. A major supporter of the “Pathway Project” and a fellow E&H Board member has invited us to join in on the reception on June 13th at his home. This is a great opportunity if you are nearby to meet in person our guests as well as others who are also “Friends of Copey”. Because of the very wide distribution of my Blog which includes both “Friends of Copey” and those just curious, send me an email requesting time and location. This will prove to be an unforgettable reception. Join In!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Memorial Day

“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”           by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Yesterday, I celebrated Memorial Day and this is my fourth Memorial Day Post. Seems each year Memorial Day grows more and more significant for me. The general Post message over the four years is the same. And, the message should be. We need to remember freedom is not free nor a gift. And, we need to remember those who paid for our freedom with their lives. Let’s Remember!

Now, mostly during these same four years, much of my family’s history has come to light. We now can reach back to the mid-1700’s and substantiate our earliest known ancestor, John Broddy (Broady). Much of what we now know about John, our 4th grandfather, relates to the American Revolutionary War. We also know that John was a slave owned by General William Campbell and General Campbell led the famous battle known as the Battle of Kings Mountain. John was present with General Campbell at the time of the battle and was later given his freedom in part

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Arthur, Loretta, and Patricia (sister)

because of his loyal service to his commander during the American Revolutionary War.

The photo was taken during the recent dedication of a marker (October 2016) placed at Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina. The marker commemorates John’s presence together with several other Afro-Americans during the famous Battle of Kings Mountain. Most of the credit for the marker goes to Ms. Loretta Cozart, Regent of the Colonel Frederick Hambright Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, who spearheaded a seven year campaign to procure and erect the marker.

As a proud veteran, I am very grateful for the service of all veterans who served before me and those who have served after me. I enjoy my relationship with many of my veteran friends. However, there is a very special place in my heart for those friends who served during the Vietnam War and died during their service. It is my honor to share their names each year and to help us not forget them or their sacrifices. Three of the four played high school football with me and were very close friends. All four men completed high school and volunteered for the military immediately afterwards. Let’s Remember them…and all the rest who served and never returned to civilian life. 

This Memorial Day, I again salute Danny Watkins from Meadowview, Virginia; Michael Charles and Kenneth Delaney both from Bristol, Virginia; and Frank Campbell from Chilhowie, Virginia.

This Memorial Day was also special because my commVietnam Veterans Memorial Oct 15 2007 unity had on display the traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. This is an awesome and humbling visual accounting of the enormous loss of human treasure. This is a time of remembrance, honor, and respect.

While we are doing some remembering, I wish to add to my list of veterans my long time personal friend Curtis (Duck) Montgomery who recently passed away. You “Friends” have become aware of “Duck” from my Posts Veterans Day highlighting his military service.

Marty

Cousin Marty

Curtis Montgomery

Curtis “Duck” Montgomery

Duck was that “one of a kind” type and truly blessed with a long and fruitful life. He certainly saw and experienced much in his life-time including war. He passed away at age 101 having lived a life certainly deserving of honor, respect, and remembrance.

I can also add to those being remembered on Memorial Day, my cousin Marty. He was a wonderful family man, devoted son and brother, who lived a life full of compassion and love for those with special needs. He passed away on Memorial Day last year.

We Congratulate Angela

Great job getting that Masters! “Friends”, although Angela has spent much of her time in Costa Rica since obtaining her undergraduate degree, she continued

Angela Graduation.png

Angela at Graduation

pursuing her Masters Degree through the School of International Training focusing on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She made it and this is a very strong testimony regarding Angela’s character and intellect.

 

Recall “Friends”, over three years ago when the Learning Center decided with our help to employ a strong and dedicated Executive Director to lead the Learning Center to a higher level of operation. Angela was selected as the right person to take on that challenge and was successful. “Friends of Copey” has for three years now provided financial support for the Executive Director’s position.

Angela will be returning to Costa Rica this week and to get things ready to lead the guests to the doorsteps of Emory & Henry College. When she returns our guests to Copey, she will depart the country once more to take on a summer faculty position at Brandeis University.

“Friends” once again it is very obvious we are a part of so many different things going on around us.

Finally, I leave in the next couple days for Virginia and Tennessee. The trip will be very special since it will include attending a Trustee’s meeting, visiting kids and grandkids, spending time with Angela, Ana Yancy, and the Copey students. It will also include visiting my four wonderful aunts including the now very famous Aunt Katherine, and even attending a Broady reunion.

Yes, just another typical day in my life!

 

 

 

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“Friends…Bring the Gift of Joy”

“I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy.”         By Chuck Swindoll

“So far my experience in Costa Rica has been nothing but enjoyable and an enormous blessing” are the words written by Melody after spending her first week at the Copey Learning Center as a Emory & Henry College student volunteer. She is obviously experiencing the joy and sense of satisfaction both Casey and Xavier shared with us last year when they were volunteers at the Center. Melody has a student Blog set up to periodically document her experience in Costa Rica.  She and I both invite you to check in on her at times and learn about her experiences.  http://melodyincostarica2017.weebly.com/

Angela and her husband traveled back to the US last week to attend Angela’s graduation. She has received her Masters Degree and is sharing this wonderful educational achievement with her husband and family. She will then return to Copey to get ready to take on the “Pathway Project” and lead our guests to the US on June 10th.US Flag.2

Wondering how the “Pathway Project” fundraising campaign is going? The official end date for this campaign was May 20th. Last week I reported in my Post we had raised 38.9% of our goal. The same day, the amount jumped to 70.4%.  At the official close of the campaign…. Drum Roll Please!

 

We are now at 83.9% or $435.00 short of our goal. However, my sources inform me there are still funds not yet accounted for. Consequently, it is full steam ahead and we look forward to another successful experience.

Tracking 5.

As you recall, about 20 selected college friends and affiliates were called on to help raise the funds to support the “Pathway Project” in 2017.

As of today, there has been about a 60% response rate. This is noteworthy as far as fundraising goes. And, I am deeply appreciative for the obvious generosity demonstrated in support of this project.  Those who have responded to date…Thank You!

I hope everyone among the “Friends” clearly understands the significance of the “Pathway Project”.

The “Pathway Project” is providing life-changing experiences for two more young students. Fatima and Adriana are soon to leave their rural community to travel to America. They will bring with them the thoughts and prayers of their families, their friends, and their community. They will have experiences while in America most in their community may never experience. Many Copey moms and dads do not speak any English and most likely have not ever been to North America. It is impossible for us to imagine what it must feel like for these moms and dads seeing children from their community leaving for America. Under these circumstances, it could only happen with the “Pathway Project” and the involvement of “Friends”.

fatima

Fatima

Last year, when Noelia and Celeste returned home from America, they returned home as inspirational and motivational leaders. Noelia and Celeste shared their experiences with other students and have been very helpful preparing Fatima and Adriana for their trip.

Dr. Gaia and many others on the E&H College campus have done a remarkable job getting everything set up and in place for their arrival. The students will have a week of recreation including hiking and biking, visiting interesting sites, concerts, and many other activities.

Their second week will be attending the Summer Scholars Institute and Leadership Program on campus. They will meet many American students their age and spend their time sharing and learning. Just as the students last year, Fatima and Adriana will return home living proof that great things can happen to you when you really work at being excellent students.

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Adriana

The “Pathway Project” is all this and certainly more. Such experiences cause students to dream and to hope. In fact, we believe the entire Copey community is being transformed by this project.

 

By calling on selected donors to support this, it also serves as an invitation to share in the excitement and success of a very worthwhile, extraordinary, amazing, productive, and successful experience.

Please make plans to join in on the time Angela, Ana Yancy, Fatima, and Adriana will be on campus at E&H College. They are expected to arrive June 12th and depart on June 24th. I will be with them during the week of June 12th.

Based on last year’s experience, you will not be disappointed.

 

 

 

 

 

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Mom…Life’s Bungee Cord!

“My prayer was, ‘God, let me do well enough to be able to take care of my mother.’ I was able to do that ’til the day she died.”     by   Tyler Perry

We just spent the weekend celebrating Mother’s Day and this allows me to reflect on the great memories Mom left me. I certainly appreciated Mom during her life but it seems I have grown to appreciate her even more since her passing. Her influence seems to continue especially with the ongoing support for the Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund (AGB Scholarship Fund).

Anne G. Broady Scholarship Fund

The AGB Scholarship Fund has provided us the opportunity to help others in Mom’s name and provide both family and friends a meaningful avenue to honor Mom’s memory.  At times, a “Friend” will write me a note saying, “I am sure your Mom would be proud of the work you do with the Learning Center”. Such a compliment is warmly received by me and I am sure Mom would feel deeply honored and humbled that she is associated with an effort to help another…especially a young person. Since the inception of the AGB Scholarship Fund in early 2014, more than 70 students have received financial support.

This same financial support has played a part in the education of our students selected to travel to the US both last year and soon in June. These recipients of the AGB Scholarship Fund have successfully learned English and now have a more promising educational future waiting on them. I do not have words to express how wonderful it was to converse in English with Noelia and Celeste last year. Without the Learning Center and possibly without the AGB Scholarship Fund, neither Noelia nor Celeste would have learned to speak English and certainly would not have traveled to the US at such young ages.

The Pathway Project Update  

We continue to make progress on the fundraising campaign to cover the travel expenses for our four guests coming to America in June. We have a week to go to hit our goal of $2,700.00. We are tracking behind our schedule some but the journey for our guests is not in jeopardy. The “Progress” chart indicates the funds received so far. However, there are funds promised but not yet received.   As “Friends”, we are taking on a major responsibility to get the students here for a visit. Being accountable for raising the funds to cover the airfare, hotel rooms, meals, rental car and fuel to support four guests is a big deal when the plan is to rely on the generosity of a few selected friends for support. We even go a step further…! We want the students to experience some of America; our country’s capital, some of our famous tourist sites, engage in some recreational activities including hiking, biking, and other fun events.  Our goal to raise $2,700 translates into $675.00 per person and this is a real bargain. Our 23 selected donors (all Emory & Henry College affiliated) for this effort will meet the challenge.

The New Learning Center Update

The paperwork to initiate Stage 2 is getting minimum attention at this time while I continue working my various community service projects I am committed to during this time of year.

Recall, when I announced our decision to move to Stage 2, I also announced the very serious work on this project would be delayed until the summer. This is by no means an unimportant project waiting on the sidelines for us to undertake. We have a lot of very hard work ahead of us to get this new facility moved on to Stage 3…construction!

On this note, thanks for your ongoing patience. This will be a true test of will and determination. I have grown to know the heart of the Copey community and I look forward to the potential and the promise the new Learning Center offers all of us involved.

Stay connected!