An Educator's Perspective

Last night I attended the 'In Hope Freedom Rings' scholarship award dinner in the Old Town Hall in Fairfax, Virginia. There were about forty people there to honor this year's two recipients and also to recognize the primary donors who contributed to the fund. Each of the students was given a $10,000 scholarship for the school of their choice funded by the contributions of several local businesses to the In Hope Freedom Rings Scholarship Foundation. This foundation was started three years ago by a former fourth grade teacher who wanted to give something back - what a great thing she has done.

One of the honorees attends Fairfax High School and the other JEB Stuart High School. Both students were immigrants - one from Vietnam and one from Sudan. One student had over a 4.0 GPA and was taking all kinds of AP classes. The other had a 3.75 and was an IB diploma candidate and volunteered with eight different organizations. The two young ladies were very impressive in what they had already accomplished to this point and I could not help but think about the wonderful opportunities that lay before them, the possibilities they may achieve and the good they may do. I couldn't help but wonder what they would be doing in ten years, but I have high hopes and expectations for them.

As I sat there in this Old Town Hall, renovated but still speaking its age and history, I couldn't help thinking about all of those who had stood in that hall since Fairfax was founded. The history of place was striking to me. As I looked at the cracked old beams, I imagined 18th century patriots encouraging each other, arguing about one thing or another, and making decisions that led down the line to this particular evening when two outstanding young ladies were recognized for their abilities. Certainly these two young ladies had more 'knowledge' now than those men would have had all combined.

Our country and our public educational system is truly amazing. I enjoy going to these type of events because they remind me of what our students are capable of when they are at their best. I credit the many teachers along the lives of these two young ladies who inspired them to learn, the families that have loved and supported them along the way, and most of all the students themselves who dedicated themselves to knowledge and hard work so they might help others.

What would the ghosts of those old men from the ages think if they observed the proceedings last night? I'm convinced they would be awestruck. They would also be proud of what came from this experiment in democracy that is America.