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My name is Carolyn Aveirtt. I am the Family Service Manager at Highland Rim Head Start. I have worked for Head Start for 23 years. I have seen many changes take place in Head Start since I first began. I pray the Head Start program stays intact for the many children and families who are out there needing our help, and getting a "Head Start".
Before becoming Family Service Manager I was a Center Coordinator and before that a classroom teacher. I have watched many children come and go over the sixteen (16) years that I taught. I have been a witness to many successes and I'm afraid to say some not so successful. I can still remember most all the children I have taught over the years and I am suprised to know that many still remember me as well. Being from a small town, I come in contact with many of my former students who have finished high school, some have gone to college or trade school and, many have joined the workforce and raising their own families. These are true success stories. But the one story I want to share with you took place last year just before graduation.
The school where our Head Start program is located called and asked if I would be able to come and present a scholarship to one of my former students. I graciously accepted the invitation. The scholarship was give to a young lady for whom I had very serious concerns when she was in my class. I had heard she had had a child but was continuing her high school education and with the help of devoted teachers and school counselor, was doing well in school. As I stayed for the whole morning ceremony of "Awards Day", I not only had the pleasure of presenting the scholarship to the young lady, but I also had the opportunity to see not one, but eight (8) of my former students receive scholarships. One of those students (who was one of the Valedictorians) received a full scholarship to the University of Florida. I beamed with pride not because of anything that I had done, but because I had had the honor of having these young people touch my life when they were four (4) years old. At the graduation ceremony I shed many happy tears as I hugged and congratulated each one of them and gave them pictures that were made of them when they were in my classroom.
I know there are many success stories such as these all over the country. I pray President Bush, and our elected officials will take a closer look at the good that has been accomplished over these many years and will see the money that has been put into the Head Start program has not been wasted, but has given an opportunity for families and children to reach for their dreams and achieve them.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Averitt
Family Service Manager
Highland Rim Head Start
http://www.highlandrim.org/
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