November 2007
We are in the planning stages of the 2nd Annual Candlelight Service for our local children who have passed away. The event is scheduled for December 9th at 6;30 PM. It will be at Heritage Park in Absecon NJ. If you read this and know of a family that might want to be invited to participate in the service please email us of drop us a line in the guestbook.
June 10th, 2007
Shelby's Memorial Brick was unveiled at a cermony on Saturday June 9th at the Atlantic City Medical Center - Mainland Division. The Hospice Organization in cooperation with AtlanticCare has designed the "Walk of Life", a memorial site on the hospital grounds. Charlene was invited to be a committee member for a similar project with The ALCOVE (Center for Grieving children and their families. She was flattered by the oppurtunity to be invloved. They are in the design stage at this point with an unveiling in the next few months. I will keep you updated on that project.
Congratulations to Justin for competing in his 2nd
Pedal-Paddle-Run �The Great Absecon Race.
This year Justin competed in the Iron Man portion of the event and came
in First Place
in his age group. We are very proud of
Justin and his accomplishment. He was
determined to compete in and finish this event.
He was very tired after the event � but overjoyed by his accomplishment.
Thank you for visiting on what is the 2nd Anniversary of Shelby�s passing. This is one of the weeks when the web-site gets many visits. We continue to maintain this website to honor Shelby�s life and memory. As you know this started as a site for family and friends to come to and receive their daily update so that we could concentrate on caring for Shelby during her illness. Now that there are no updates to give, we maintain the site to talk about Shelby, the influence she has had on us and you, and to talk about other people in the community who may be going through difficultly. I know that Shelby would like that her website is used as a portal or information center to help others.
Now, I am sure that everyone is wondering how we are doing in the 2 years that Shelby has passed away. Well there is not a day that passes that Shelby�s name does not pass our lips. But we miss her tremendously, and we are driven by her absence to honor her in any way we can. Charlene is still very much a grieving mother, when you run into her; she puts on her best face, but she is a the mere shell of the woman that I always knew. She is still shattered by the loss of her innocent little girl. Although you may had read some bogus account of Charlene�s reduced role the morning Shelby died, I assure you it is far from the truth. Shelby picked the moment she passed away to insure that both her father and mother were holding her. Why that heartless soul would tell it any other way is beyond sound judgment.
Justin and Haley try very hard to fill the void and sometimes they pull it off but her memory always slowly comes back. Justin sinks his every being into Haley. He just can�t get enough of her. It is true bliss to see them interact, so with one unpleasant tragedy spouts a beautiful connection. I struggle with trying to keep a family together that is being pulled in so many directions. I will continue to be the protector of my wife Charlene, my step-son Justin and my daughter Haley.
We have had some very positive things happen - truly inspired by Shelby�s spirit. We have memorial benches at 3 locations. We have made substantial donations for Sarcoma Cancer Research. We have had people in our community have cars washes, Community Service parties(The Droney and Stone familes), Dress Down Day (Holy Spirit High) and a local football team had a fund raiser to give donations to Shelby. County Executive Dennis Levinson (a friend of our family) has designated March 15 �Shelby Richter Day� in Atlantic County. As you can see Shelby has moved many people in many ways.
We have been very fortunate to give 12 intelligent young ladies from Emma C. Attles School $26000.00 in Scholarships to a tuition based High School. We hope to expand that to College Scholarships in the very near future.
The last 2 years some friends have accompanied me to CHOP for the annual Toy Run that brings hundreds of thousands of toys to the children stuck at the Hospital over the Christmas Holiday. I have done this in Shelby�s memory, as she was supposed to do the ride with me. Each year I ride (and will continue to ride) with her picture displayed on my front windshield.
Something that Shelby has inspired Charlene, Justin and I, to do was to have a Candlelight Vigil in Absecon to honor all of the other children who have passed before their time. We honored 36 children this year, and had very positive feedback and we have already started our planning for this December.
To insure that Shelby did not die in vain, we have been very progressive in our actions and in her honor. Besides all of the proactive things we have done, we always take the time to attend the various benefits in this and surrounding communites. Charlene has made numerous baskets for children and parents whom are suffering in one way or another. It makes us feel very good to give back. That is a lesson learned from Shelby.
And lastly, Shelby inspired us to create the �Shelby Richter Pediatric Cancer Foundation� with the focus on awareness on Children�s Cancers and Sarcoma Awareness.
On the anniversay of her death, of course we will be going to her grave site and then we are going to Heritage Park and sanding down and re-finishing her Memorial Bench. She never got to see the bench, but I can be sure she has sat next to many of you on it.
Thank you for continuing to support us and this, the orignal site of Shelby Richter.
We Love Shelby � and we miss Shelby - Always!
Many of you have called or emailed asking about the Shelby Richter Benefit. It is with regret to inform you that Charlene and I will not be participating in, or endorsing the upcoming benefit. Since Shelby passed away Charlene and I were instrumental in creating the Board of Directors for the Shelby Richter Fund. We started with 9 members on the board. Within the last ten months 7 of the 9 members have resigned for various reasons. Based on reckless spending, including money given to a family member in violation of our signed Conflict of Interest Agreement we no longer felt we could attached our good names to the unethical behavior. Charlene and I are involved in Law Enforcement and cannot be involved with the scrutiny that comes with money spent inappropriately. We continue to honor Shelby in many ways including this website. However our departure from the Fund has spurned another website. The other website is more about merchandising Shelby and not honoring her memory. It has plagiarized our website by copying content and pictures without seeking any permission, and the last straw was the minimization of Shelby's Mothers role when Shelby passed away on the morning of March 15, 2005. This in our eyes was beyond reproach. We are again building from the ground up, a charity to honor Shelby's life. We are planning to have a benefit for the Shelby Richter Pediatric Cancer Foundation very soon. We want ours to be more of an event then a party. With the help of our many friends and family this will be nothing short of a memorable and successful event. As always thank you for your continued support. Charlene and Rodney
2nd Important Annoucement:
We ask that you support the below worthy cause.
On February 25, 2007, the Absecon Ladies League, which Charlene is a member of, will host a benefit on behalf of the Joseph Bottino Family. Joe recently lost his battle with a debilitating disease after two years of fighting. The benefit will be Buffet Style and all proceeds will benefit Dianne and their two children, Joey and Megan. The event will begin at 5:00 pm. and will go on until 10:00 pm and will be at Rifici�s Italian Cuisine and Pizzeria located at 308 White Horse Pike, Absecon, NJ. Tickets are being sold prior to the event and are $10.00 per person. Tickets are also available at the door. As part of this Benefit, there will many items available for Silent Auction as well as Chinese Auction. There have been many items donated so far and this will prove to be a wonderful opportunity to share some good food and good company while contributing to a good cause. Just a few of the items available are an original oil painting donated by a local known artist, a flat screen television, sports memorabilia and gift certificates to many restaurants, personal care facilities and many other locations. If you are able to help, you can simply donate whatever you wish or you can donate a door prize, either large or small. There will be a list on the night of the event of those that were able to help our effort so that if you choose you may have recognition. Whatever you may have done for the family, either a kind word, a hug, a meal or a gift, the Bottino Family cannot say thank you enough for your support. The outpouring of love, prayers and concern are greatly appreciated at this time in their lives. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact a member of the Absecon Ladies League. The directory may be accessed through Jeannine Wescoat, current President of the organization at 609-432-8450. Also, we will be attending this important event and Charlene will volunteering her help for this benefit. Absecon Ladies League on Behalf Of the Joseph Bottino Family
Happy Birthday Shelby Lauren !!
Today would be Shelby's 15th Birthday. I am sure that she would have been excited. It is hard to imagine what kind of party we would be having for Shelby today. What would she have wanted, what kind of music would she be listening to, which friends would she have invited. Would she have a boyfriend now? I know that plenty boys liked her because she was such a likable person and fun to be around.
Shelby I am really curious how tall are you now? We miss me so much, some say it gets easier with time - so far that has not happened.
We wanted to thank everyone for the phone calls today, the emails and the postings in the guestbook, it means the world to us. We even received a call today from one of Shelby's teachers, who called from school just to say she was thinking of Shelby today and thinking of us. That was a special call and made us feel very good.
If you went to Shelby's gravesite today - which I am sure many of you have, you will see that Charlene left her 15 Roses. Since her 1st Birthday, Charlene has given Shelby roses on her birthday to represent each year. Today you will see 13 Red Roses and 2 White Roses. The Red represent her years on Earth and the White represent her years in Heaven.
Tonight, Charlene, Justin, Haley and I will spend it with some quite family time and have Shelby's favorite dinner (Chicken Enchilada's and Virgin Margarita's). Then we will watch "Groundhogs Day" the movie. We watched this movie with Shelby on her Birthday for the last 7 years or so.
The new picture on the home page was taken in Longport in the summer of 2004. I call it "Shelby in thought". I hope you like it as much as we do. I also used it with her memorial announcement in today's press.
Thank you from Charlene, Rodney Justin and Haley.
Update: January 20, 2007
We hope that everyone had a nice Christmas and New Year. Ours was a somber one, but Justin and Haley helped make it a joyous one. We still have not gotten use to Shelby not being there for the Holidays. Shelby and Justin really enjoyed New Years at our house because Charlene always made it a fun holiday and a great way to bring in the New Year. And of course we got to enjoy Haley's 2nd birthday in the New Year as well.
We wanted to express our sincere gratitude to a few people who know the true meaning of Christmas and of "giving of yourself".
Fifteen employee's of the AtlanticCare's Center for Community Health decided that rather then exchanging gifts within the office - they would put there money together and donate it the Shelby Richter Children's Cancer Foundation. They signed their card "with admiration". That was touching, because it is us, that admire you for making such a gesture!
So thanks for starting off the year in a generous way: Gwen Meusburger, Perry Mays, Susan Newman, Lydia Ayala, Awilda Guzman, Donnie Perez, Jaclyn Weeks, Cassandra Shellhorn, Bruce Jennings, Samantha Kiley Ficcaglio, Sharon McWatt-Johnson, Wanda Calderon, Karen DeGeorge, Christine Guzman and our good friend Amy Hogan.
I would also like to highlight some other donations from some very special people: Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson, Dianne Bottino of Absecon, Shelby's Great Aunt Darylene and Great Uncle Joe Hudson who made a huge contribution. And I wanted to the McAvaddy Family of Mays Landing whom auctioned off an ELMO doll on EBAY and gave the money the SRCCF, that was a very unique idea and we appreciate it. For those of you who don't remember their son Ricky, is currently battling cancer, but is doing well. In late December the Logan Family put together a basket for Ricky and we brought it to him at his room in CHOP. Ricky's Mom, Jamie was so receptive to the Logan's gesture that she has decided to she wants to do things to help others. We are very pleased that in a way - Shelby has touched another family, in Shelby's very special way.
The First Annual Candlelight Vigil was extremely successful in terms of participation. We honored 33 beautiful children and we estimated that there was about 250 to 270 people in attendance. Young and old held their candles in the brisk December night. We had families from as far South as Delaware (Shelby?s Grandpa Burt) and as far North as Philadelphia (The Carbone?s), to come and honor all of the children. During the slideshow a shooting star carried across the sky, a true sign from the heavens.
The sad fact is that we already have 3 new families added to next year?s invitee list. We hope they attend and use the candlelight vigil to ease some of the pain that we all feel.
Mr. Ken Beck (who lost a son) of Ventnor said it best "I can tell you how very touched and emotional we were, to see that there are so many parents that have suffered the same grief and pain we have over so many years. I honestly don't know if my wife, son (Kenny) and Aunt Joan will ever forget the scene with all the candles and love spread through the crowd. "
Mr. Beck comments really reflect why Charlene, Justin and I wanted to do this vigil. Thank You ? Mr. Beck for reminding us what is really important.
I am sure he finds, as many other families and friends do, some comfort by attending the vigil as Charlene and I did.
Charlene and I would like to thank the following people who helped make this vigil possible:
Justin Richter
Kathy Evans
Dana Marvel
Donnah Marvel
Christine Droney
Glen Ann Stoll
Nikki Curcione
Chrissy Curcione
Guy Curcione
Adrienne Branka
Amy and Steve Hogan
Karen Gibson
Irish Brigade Pipes and Drums Band
John Heinz of Concert Quality Sound
Finally, I hope the next time you see a dragonfly you reflect on the story read by Justin and Dana, and truly understand why we find so much inspiration from it.
Again thanks from all of us.
Tomorrow will begin our 3rd year of this website. Soon we will surpass 25,000 hits, we are on the verge of 5000 entries in the guestbook.. These are three big milestones. But we must not forget why this site was started. It was 2 years ago this week that we found out that Shelby had something wrong with her. A mass was discovered on December 1st and she had surgery on December 2nd. It would take almost 3 weeks for the Doctors to tell us what type of cancer she had, then she started her first chemotherapy. We tried to make the best out of that Christmas. Her last Christmas. Shelby fought hard and she tried to make it as easy as possible on us. I remember her getting a bad fever on News Years Eve and Charlene and I had to spend the night at CHOP so that they could monitor her white blood cell count. None of us wanted to be there but it will be a News Years Eve I will never forget.
Those 105 days with Shelby went by so quick. I want them back so bad.
Like I did last year, I ask you to follow along as we chronicled Shelby?s plight beginning with "WEEK 1". Remember what Shelby went through and the lessons we all learned from it.
Please bear with me, as we prepare for the Candle Light Service I have not been able to update the website. I still need to tell you about the 2nd Annual "Shelby?s Run" to deliver toys to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. I also need to upload those photos. Especially the ones of little Ricky receiving his basket in his hospital room.
So I close this out by thanking all of you for your loyalty to this site and to the memory of Shelby. Through this site we all keep Shelby?s memory alive. From the bottom of our hearts "Thank You."
11/05 @ 9:00 pm.
I have so much information to pass along and pictures to upload. But I won't be able to do it all as I am running out of time. We are leaving in the morning for a vacation that was planned while Shelby was still alive (actually weeks before her diagnosis) and then after she passed we could not bring ourselves to go on the scheduled date. So we postponed it a year.
Anyway I have a lot of great news to tell you about and some nice photos to show you, so please check back. Today was just a very POSITIVE day.
The candle lighting service is our next event and we are excited about the amount of families that are participating. So please save the date and everyone is invited to join us to remember all of our children.
Last week Patrick and Josephine Droney were guests on "The Montel Williams Show". (Montel Show Program Info)They were there to talk about thier disease "von Wilderbrands" and thier philanthorpy efforts. One of which was raising nearly $7000.00 for the Shelby Richter Research Grant. They did talk about Shelby on the show, thus giving her national exposure. During the show Montel Williams gave a slew of toys to the Droneys for them to dontate to thier favorite cause. They decided to give them to us to bring up to CHOP to dontate to the young boys and girls of Childrens Hosptial in Shelby's memory.
So "Thank You" to the Droney family for thinking of Shelby (and us) again. And thank you to "The Montel Williams Show".
We have 2 special events planned before the end of the year. And we would welcome your input and your participation.
The first is a Motorcycle Toy Run to the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. We did this last year with about 20 motorcycles, and we expect that number to increase from last year. (Pictures are in the Photo Album under "1st Annual Shelby's Run") We will join up with the Delaware Valley Abate in Philadelphia and drop off a toy in front of the Hospital. We ride in Shelby's memory and Charlene will have tags made up with Shelby's picture on it for each rider to display. Afterwards we will ride back into New Jersey and stop at Aldelphia's in Deptford for a bite to eat. If you are interested in attending please send me an email at RodneyR@Comcast.net and I will add you to the list.
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Now the second event planned is something that we are very excited about. We have receieved permission from the City of Absecon to hold an Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony in Heritage Park. This ceremony will be held on December 10 th, 2006 at 6:30 pm. Of course it will be held in the area of Shelby's Memorial Bench. The ceremony is in conjunction with the National Children's Memorial Day. We have partnered up with "The Alcove" and are awaiting endorsement and sponsership from a large local corporation to give us seed money. Please note that this is not just for Shelby, but for all children who have died in the Atlantic County area. So we urge you, if you know of a family who has experienced the death of a child please have them contact us so that we can invite them to honor thier child. We will also be seeking volunteers to assist with the ceremony. I will be in need of a Violinist and or Harpist to volunteer to play music prior to and after the ceremony. We can be contacted at 609-407-5191 or Charlene and Rodney Ruark 10 Ruth Court, Absecon NJ 08201. Our emails are: RodneyR@Comcast.net and CharleneRuark@Comcast.net
Our Sincerest Thank You to Dr. Andrea Dahlman Orsey
It is important to point out that Dr. Orsey was one of Shelby's team of Doctors at CHOP. And had the most interaction with her during our visits. She also visited Shelby when she was here in Absecon. You might recall that after Dr. Orsey explained to Shelby that she was going to die from her cancer, that Shelby asked her "find a cure for this cancer so that another little girl does not have to die from it". Dr. Orsey also came to Absecon to attend Shelby's Funeral.
Please read below as I have transferred the dialogue from a correspondence we received from The Children?s Hospital Foundation. I was hoping to scan the entire document and post it but it did not work out. Anyway, we ask that if you are moved by Dr. Orsey?s generosity that you drop her a brief "thank you" note to let her know how many people appreciate what she did for Shelby.
August 2006
Shelby Richter Fund
P.O. Box 1023
Absecon, NJ 08201
Dear Sir or Madam,
On behalfof Stephen Ludwig, M.D. Associate Physician-in-Chief for the Medical Education at the Children?s Hospital of Philadelphia, it is my pleasure to present the Shelby Richter Fund with the enclosed $750 check.
Your organization was designated to receive this gift by Andrea Dahlman Orsey, M.D., winner of The Nancy Elizabeth Barbhardt Award. The Award is presented once a year to a Children?s Hospital resident who extends beyond Hospital duties to improve the heath and well-being of children in the community. Each Award recipient designates a portion of the Award stipend to a community project.
Congratulations on being selected by Dr. Orsey as the recipient of this gift. Please direct any acknowledgements directly to Dr. Orsey at the following address:
Andrea Dahlman Orsey, M.D.
The Children?s Hospital of Philadelphia
34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Sincerely yours,
Sean T. Gallagher
Associate Director of Planned Giving
August 20, 2006
Shelby Richter Scholarship Award's
Before I talk about this years winners, I want to give you some background into the evolution of our large scholarship awards this year. One of Shelby's wishes was that we take some of her donated monies and make a Scholarship Award in her name at the Emma C. Attles School. There would be 2 awards given each year, $500 to a boy and $500 to a girl. The awards would be given to the top applicants who have volunteered and given back to the community. That process was in place and ready to go.
In Fall of 2005, Bart, Shelby's father, was working in Bally's and had a chance to met then Governor Richard Codey. After Bart told Gov. Codey about Shelby and the Shelby Richter Fund, he pledged a large donation to the fund to be used towards the Scholarships. On the day Gov. Codey left office, Bart was contacted about a $25000.00 grant by the Governors Office. The paperwork was submitted and we awaited the check.
However, new Governor John Corzine froze all of Codey's grants cited fiscal crisis. When Bart called the Governors Office to find out what had happened, he was told that it was the first time a sitting Governor had ever stopped the grants of an outgoing Governor. It appeared to us the grant was doomed.
We were back to our original plan to give out two $500.00 awards. There were 11 applicants - all young ladies, (no young men applied-shame on you guys
) Two winners were chosen by a committee of a member of the Shelby Richter Fund Board of Directors and the Absecon Board of Education. The plaques were made and ready to be given out at the 8th Grade Graduation Ceremonies by Charlene and Bart. Then a MIRICLE happened. Bart checked the post office box on Graduation Day and found a State Treasury Check for $25000.00. Althought the School refused to acknowlege the large amount scholarships going to their students at the ceremonies, we decided to hold our own ceremony at another time. So last night (Saturday August 19th) we held Shelby Richter Scholarship Award Presentation at Heritage Park in Absecon. Of course Shelby's Memorial Bench was used as the presentation area.
So the winners are as follows:
Amber D'Ambrosio and Emily Culbertson - $4000.00 Scholarship Winners
Amy O'Connor,Alexis Meusburger,Shannon Hall, Jessica Feehan, Julia Fairfield, Samatha Kurtz, Dannielle Martin, Anastasia Bournousorizio and Heather Costabile - $2000.00 Scholarship Winners.
We will try and apply again for this grant for the 2007 School Year and we will keep you posted. We will still have the 2 original Scholarships available - two $500 Scholarships for one young lady and one young man from ECA going to a tuition based High School.
17 girls from the Girls Scout Junior Troop along with a few parents and a couple of Shelby's girlfriends washed a lot of cars on Saturday morning and rasied $600.00. Which was donated to the Shelby Richter Fund, and will bill added to the 3rd Shelby Richter Grant for Cancer Researh. THANK YOU to the girls for organizing such a successful event. And to the Troop Leaders & Parents that made it happen, and to the owner of the Gulf Station (somebody send me his name) also to James Lin of Car Toyz in Pleasantville for suppling the troop with all of the car washing supplies. And THANK YOU to Larry McCarty for getting the girls We Love Shelby T-Shirts on such short notice, and for bringing them danish in the morning - you are a very special person Larry. And last but not least Shelby - for insuring the girls had perfect weather to have thier event. WE LOVE YOU SHELBY AND WE MISS YOU !
U.S. House of Representatives Passes Childhood Cancer Resolution (H.RES323) Supporting Efforts to Increase Childhood Cancer Awareness, Treatment and Research
WASHINGTON DC., June 22, 2006 ? With a vote of 393 for and 0 against, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Childhood Cancer Resolution expressing Congressional support for childhood cancer awareness, treatment and research.
The Resolution was first introduced by Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH) on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 during the fifth annual CureSearch Gold Ribbon Days. Children and families attending Gold Ribbon Days in 2005 and this past week for Gold Ribbon Days 2006 from June 19-21, circulated the Resolution and requested support from their members of Congress.
Throughout the year, 109 members of Congress have signed on as co-sponsors to support the bill.
RESOLUTION
Supporting efforts to increase childhood cancer awareness, treatment, and research.
Whereas an estimated 12,400 children will be diagnosed with cancer in the year 2005;
Whereas cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under age 15;
Whereas an estimated 2,300 children will die from cancer in the year 2005;
Whereas the incidence of cancer among children in the United States is rising by about one percent each year;
Whereas 1 in every 330 Americans develops cancer before age 20;
Whereas approximately 8 percent of deaths of those between 1 and 19 years old are caused by cancer;
Whereas while some progress has been made, a number of opportunities for childhood cancer research still remain unfunded or underfunded;
Whereas limited resources for childhood cancer research can hinder the recruitment of investigators and physicians to pediatric oncology;
Whereas peer-reviewed clinical trials are the standard of care for pediatrics and have improved cancer survival rates among children;
Whereas the number of survivors of childhood cancers continues to grow, with about 1 in 640 adults between ages 20 to 39 who have a history of cancer;
Whereas up to two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors are likely to experience at least one late effect from treatment, many of which may be life-threatening;
Whereas some late effects of cancer treatment are identified early in follow-up and are easily resolved, while others may become chronic problems in adulthood and may have serious consequences; and
Whereas 89 percent of children with cancer experience substantial suffering in the last month of life: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress should support--
(1) public and private sector efforts to promote awareness about the incidence of cancer among children, the signs and symptoms of cancer in children, treatment options, and long-term follow-up;
(2)increased public and private investment in childhood cancer research to improve prevention, diagnosis,treatment, rehabilitation, post-treatment monitoring, and long-term survival;
(3)policies that provide incentives to encourage medical trainees and investigators to enter the field of pediatric oncology;
(4)policies that provide incentives to encourage the development of drugs and biologics designed to treat pediatric cancers;
(5) policies that encourage participation in clinical trials;
(6) medical education curricula designed to improve pain management for cancer patients; and
(7) policies that enhance education, services, and other resources related to late effects from treatment.
*Shelby Benches dedicated at Absecon's Schools.
Two more benches have been made in Shelby's honor and they are in place at the ECA School and the Marsh School in Absecon. Shelby attended both of these schools, of course.
The benchs are similar to the one in Heritage Park, in the respect that they are 6 sided and have a Mimimosa Tree growing from the inside. The Mimimosa was Shelbys' favorite. These benches however were handcrafted by Shelby's Uncle Brett. So a BIG "Thank You" goes out to Brett for an excellent job, the benches are beautiful. The benches were also one of Shelby's dying requests, so that her memory would live on at the school's she loved so much. We know that her fellow classmates and forthcoming students will enjoy these benches, but you can as well. Please stop by and visit them and enjoy the benches.
This is titled ROLE MODEL : Someone You Respect
I wanted to share something with everyone. I did not want to keep this special thing to myself. I hope that Justin does not get embarrassed by this.
While reviewing Justin?s schoolwork I came upon an assignment that jumped off the paper at me. I hope it brings a smile to your face, as it did to me.
Introduction:
A role model is someone you respect and whom you want to be like. Decide on a role model, then answer the following questions. Your role model could be a historic figure, a current famous person, a family member, a friend even a fictional character- anyone!
MY ROLE MODEL IS:
My role model is Shelby.
IN WHAT WAYS WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE LIKE THIS PERSON?
I would like to be as kind as she was.
IN WHAT WAYS WOULD YOU NOT LIKE TO BE LIKE THIS PERSON?
There aren?t any ways that I would not to be about her.
HOW DID YOU MEET OR DISCOVER THIS PERSON?
When I was born she was there.
WHAT STEPS WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO TAKE TO MAKE YOURSELF MORE LIKE THIS PERSON?
I would do anything to be like her.
On the other side of the paper, Justin had to fill in the blanks for a series of questions ? All of the questions start out with: I AM A PERSON WHO?..
Justin?s Answer to the last question?
I am a person who?..will someday : find a cure for cancer.
Justin, I just wanted to say again, how proud of you, I am!! - Rodney