Thank You Gear Up ! !
Thank You Gear Up 2005 Grant
June, 2008I just want to say thanks to everyone at Gear Up for the fantastic time we had today at the rocket challenge - we all had such a good time, and learned a lot during the rocket building process. I wouldn't have even been able to work with my kids if Gear Up hadn't funded our rocketry equipment a few years ago for the summer program I taught. The kids and I are very grateful!
Cheryl KoontzWPMS Liaison
June, 2008
To: Amie Fazalare and the entire FSU GEAR UP staff,
South Preston Middle School would like to thank the Fairmont State GEAR UP program for their continued support of our annual science and math camp. This week we have worked with 18 students and the students have had a fun and educational week. During the course of the camp, participants constructed robots using Lego Mindstorms NXT kits purchased by FSU GEAR UP, programmed their robots to complete various tasks and missions, completed investigative studies, completed on-line research, completed a scavenger hunt using GPS technology, made home-made ice cream, and will take a trip to Idlewild Park. South Preston Middle School would like to express our gratitude for the past three years of support from FSU GEAR UP, and we are hopeful for renewal of the new grant. Thanks again!
Brad Martin, Paul Sines, and Michele Brown
May, 2008
Dear GEAR UP Staff,
Thank you for all the hard work you put into the Computer Scholarship Banquet. I enjoy coming just to see the children receive their awards and thie recognition. Again, thank yo for all the work that you do. Without GEAR UP, Pickens School would have nothing, literally!
Donna Knotts
March, 2008
My family and I would like to thank you so much for awarding me the Computer Scholarship. This computer scholarship has made it possible for me to upgrade and keep up with the modern computer technology and help me maintain a 4.0 grade average. I plan to keep a 4.0 through high school. That is my goal. I will go to high school in the fall of 2008. "
Thanks,
A student
March, 2008
I wanted to say thank you for always providing enriching, well organized, and fun activities for our family. We have had the opportunity to participate in many workshops at our school, Barrackville Middle School, with our oldest child. The most recent was the "Get A Life" activity. This activity was a real "eye opener" for not only our oldest, but also for our middle daughter, 6th grade. After this activity, both children were asking about housing cost, car insurance, and talking about the importance of a college education. The facilitator of this activity from FSU, Josh (I think) did a wonderful job talking with the children and relating the fun activity to "real life".
In addition, we participated in the Family Day. It was extremely well organized, the staff was very kind, and we appreciated the fact that the entire family could take part. Our youngest, age 6, was able to feel a part of the day with crafts and games class while her big sister and brother went to their class. Our son's experience with the Challenger workshop was fun and very educational; Our middle daughter loved the Germs workshop and talked and talked about all she learned!
In our home, one parent is a college graduate and the other parent has a Graduate Degree and we expect our children to attend college; however, GearUp is providing enriching activities so that our children want to attend a college whether they are expected to or not.
Sincerely,
Barrackville Middle School Parents
February, 2008
Dear GEAR UP staff,
I am writing to extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation for you, your organization and all that you do. My daughter is an eighth grade student at Mountaineer Middle School. She has participated in your program since 6th grade and has always enjoyed and appreciated all that she has gotten to do and experience during this time. Because of you she has gotten to fulfill two of her dreams. Last year on February 14th, we got to see the play "Cats" in Morgantown. Yesterday on February 14th, she and several of her classmates got to see the play "The Lion King" in Pittsburgh. She has always enjoyed plays and has participated in many already in her short life. We were never able to afford to take the trips to New York to see these plays but because of you she has gotten her wish. Thank you.
I need to extend my appreciation from a parent's stand point. It is refreshing to have family events encouraged and then to help in paying for these activities. I have learned so much over the years in the parent workshops and literature you provide. I use some of my new knowledge in dealing with my daughter but also in my job. Your staff has always been so pleasant, helpful and friendly in all my dealings. We are looking forward to February 23rd and the next family day. Again, thank you for your hard work, dedication and continued support in my child's life and future.
Sincerely,
A GEAR UP Parent
January 24, 2008
I want to say thank you to whomever decided to hold the performance on Thursday to wait for Belington Middle.
The kids were just so excited when they got back. They talked about it constantly.
Again, please give my thanks to everyone involved.
Thank You From My Heart,
A Teacher from
Belington Middle School
November 20, 2007
Thank You For your grant!!!!!!!!
I just want to say WOW!!!!! Gear Up is so awsome! I have learned so much,and have gotten to do so much through your program. Me and my family go to just about everything you have to offer. And without you it wouldn't be possible for us to do that.
I just love all you have offered me, I won a computer , that I wouldn't have been able to get without you, I also won the poster contest which was then put on a t-shirt for my whole class. I've got to go to North Carolina to Camp Don Lee, and learned so much from that trip!!!!! And I also got to meet so many new friends. I get to go to Valley Worlds of Fun every year with my family. We have so much fun. We have gotten to go to so many things through your program that we just would not have been able to go to.
I am just so THANKFUL for everything you have done and hope you can just keep on doing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are the link to so many kids and families being able to get the chance to get the education that they deserve!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And for families to get to do things together as a FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please just keep up the good workfuture, you sure have made a difference in so many kids' lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU THAT HAS MADE ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!
Thank You From My Heart,
A Student from
Philippi Middle School
August 8, 2007
To the Wonderful Staff of GEAR UP,
I am writing to extend our deepest appreciation for all that you do. Over the past school year (2006-2007), my daughter has benefited and enjoyed many of your services. She has participated in her monthly school opportunities where helpful hints and free gifts were given. She and I have participated once again in the Family Day at Fairmont State College in February. We had 'fun in the sun' at Valley Worlds of Fun in June.
There are two very important events that I must mention in my gratitude list. It has been the dream of my daughter, who is the world's biggest cat lover, to see the play "CATS" and because of you this dream came true. I called you up and the next thing I knew I had tickets for my whole family to see the play on Feb. 14th at WVU. My daughter had butterflies in her stomach due to the excitement and joy of this dream coming true. She smiled and sang for days!
Second, I wish to thank you for the CSI camp experience. My daughter had a wonderful time. Every day she would come home with all kinds of interesting facts and stories. Her father is a policeman and this made her feel closer to him. They discussed "job" things. The staff at this camp did an excellent job of combining fun and knowledge into one. I watched my daughter's confidence grow with each new task that was done. She was so proud of herself that she got to dissect a pig when she knew that she never could do that. Please extend my appreciation to them.
I am forever grateful for all that you do. I feel blessed that our daughter can benefit and have the opportunities that GEAR UP brings for I know she would not have gotten to experience some of these things otherwise due to financial reasons.
Our deepest appreciation,
Scott, Diane and Emily W
June 8, 2007
I would like to thank you for picking me to win a computer scholarship. It really means a lot. I have been trying to keep good grades. My total semester average was a 4.0. I had two 3.8's this year because I had a B in my advanced math class. This computer will be used for school work and other research that my sister and I have to do. I really appreciate you giving me this computer and offering it to other students. I think it is wonderful how you help so many students. I am looking forward to participating in other GEAR UP activities in the future.
Thanks again,
Katlynn V
June-2007
Dear GEAR UP Team Members,
I really appreciate all you did to prepare for the iLead program. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot about leadership and college. I will be able to use the skills I have learned everyday, and they will help me mentor others.
I would also like to thank you for the MP3 player. It was a very generous gift and I will able to use it many times in the future. I also am appreciative of the "GO Center" shirt. Both of these things will be put to use.
I will surely use what I have learned to help mentor others at my school and explain the things that I have learned. We are busily preparing our schools "GO Center", and we are very excited about it. Thank you so much for the fun weekend and all of the memories created!
Thank you,
Kylie B
Clay-Battelle Middle/High School
August 19, 2006
FSU GEAR UP
1201 Locust Ave
Fairmont, WV 26554
To Whom It May Concern:
Thank you for selecting me as one of the students to participate in the 2006 Camp Horseshoe. It was an experience I will always remember.
The counselors were a lot of fun and very helpful. They make it easy to make new friends and spend a week away from home. Everyone involved cared about every kid there. No matter what, if you had a problem, someone was there to help you.
This camp made leadership and learning fun. Every activity made you put yourself in someone else's shoes and made you look at things from a different perspective.
This was a place where judging and speaking badly about others was not allowed. Making new friends was not hard to do because we were all there for one reason. To learn, and have fun doing it!! That is exactly what I did. Again thank you for providing me with this wonderful experience.
Sincerely,
Clarissa B
Salem Middle School
April 13, 2005
Amie Fazalare
Director
FSU GEAR UP
1201 Locust Ave
Fairmont, WV 26554
Dear Amie:
I am writing to thank you for the GEAR-UP funds that have aided our public schools in West Virginia. The past five years have been a great start in helping those less fortunate in our region. Through these funds, college awareness field trips, tutoring, computer scholarships, and parent awareness of higher educational expenses and requirements have helped point theses students to a better life.
Many of our students come from underprivileged homes where survival each day is the main priority. I'm sure a majority of parents have not graduated from college or even high school. Unfortunately, poverty sometimes breeds more poverty. GEAR-UP funds have helped us emphasize the importance of a higher education, to better their lives, and to travel out of their county, and view hands-on science, historical sites, and schools of higher education.
CHANGE takes time, especially when generations of lives have been involved. GEAR-UP funds have made a great impact on this process.
With Much Appreciation,
Saundra H
Art Teacher
South Preston Middle School
