Thank You GEAR UP 2005 Grant
Dear Fairmont State GEAR UP,
GEAR-UP has been a huge influence at Tygarts Valley Middle/High School. I have served as the technology integration specialist at TVMHS for the past 3 years. In those 3 years, thanks to the GEAR UP program the technology available to our teachers and students has exponentionally increased. It makes my job so easy to encourage my teachers to use technology when it's readily available. We have SMARTboards, clickers, iPads, document cameras, laptops, projectors...all thanks to GEAR UP! If I had to place a price on all of this technology, it would be well into the hundreds of thousands. I am so grateful for what GEAR UP has done for technology integration at TVMHS. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Hilary Maye Ramsey
Technology Integration Specialist
Tygarts Valley Middle/High School
“I attended the GEAR UP [computer scholarship] recognition ceremony, parent training and computer pick-up on May 23, 2010. It was clear this event required great organization, extensive planning and coordinated effort. I applaud you and your team for making this event a success for five hundred plus attendees (food was even included!). [My son] has taken GEAR UP sponsored ACT prep classes, received an engineer calculator and taken the official ACT exam, all compliments of the GEAR UP program. [He] has benefited from these programs tremendously. Again, I thank you.”
“If it were not for this program many students would not have the opportunity to experience first-hand new technology, culture, and lifetime experiences. . . The GEAR UP program incorporates the humanities ideals, cultural experiences, and technology in a learning environment. This program helps students improve their performance in reading and math as well as providing students with knowledge of college entrance requirements, college costs, and the availability of financial aid.”
“Fairmont State College Day was a success. Our students truly enjoyed the college tour and lunch. Many commented on the friendliness of the Fairmont State University Staff and students. Thank you very much for your hospitality.”
"Grafton High School had three students getting a half credit towards high school graduation from Plato purchased by GEAR UP. One was in Geometry, the second was in English 9 and the last one was in 20th century. Two students are in 11th grade and the third student was able to graduate this year because of Plato. Thank you.”
”I just want to say WOW! Gear Up is so awesome! I have learned so much, and have gotten to do so much through your program. My family and I 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 work in the future. You sure have made a difference in so many kids' lives! BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU THAT HAS MADE ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE!”
"CELEBRATING SPACE ... 50 YEARS & STILL HAVING A BLAST was awesome, tremendous, outstanding, just a great day! Many of the teachers commented on how wonderful it was that the students were exposed to the aviation field in this way. What a wonderful opportunity for students!”
“I 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! “
”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! “
“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 the recognition. Again, thank you for all the work that you do. Without GEAR UP, Pickens School would have nothing, literally!”
“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."
”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, GEAR UP is providing enriching activities so that our children want to attend a college whether they are expected to or not.”
”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.”
”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 every day, 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!”
“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.”
“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.”
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. “
”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.”
”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
Comments from GEAR UP-sponsored Project Ample:
• I’ve never made the connection between school and the real world but now I see how all of the things we’ve learned affect our present and our future.
• I loved the uniqueness of the classes, the diversity of teaching methods, the spirit of the people and the great amount of fun.
• If I had to recommend a learning experience, but also a camp someone would enjoy, I would highly recommend Project AMPLE.
• Project AMPLE has let me experience new ways of life and what I may want to learn in college.
• In the science session, we used instruments that I only thought I would see on television.
October 7, 2009
“This ca
mp [Think College 2009] was a blast. I’ve never had more fun at a college-preparting camp. The counselors and all the kids I met were amazing. I learned so much and had the best time. I’ll keep these memories forever. You can definitely expect me back for the next 2 years. Thank you so much for making the experience available to me.”
A junior GEAR UP student
May 18, 2009
Hi Christy:
I have never been to a GearUp banquet so I really don't have anything to compare it to. But I have been to alot of school events and/or banquets.
Could you please just pass the word on to the rest of the GearUp team that me and my husband thought it was very well planned, organized and went very smoothly and we would like to say "Thank You" for inviting us and "Great Job!".
Michelle
April 22, 2009
I am sending this letter to let you know how appreciative the school counseling department at Tucker County High School is to the Fairmont State University GEAR UP program. This office has benefited tremendously over the past two years due to the GEAR UP program. The Tucker County Schools technology department has made significant gains in obtaining technology for teachers over the past few years. However, the counseling department always seemed to be overlooked when purchases were made which left it severely lacking in areas of technology and resources for the students. Thanks to the GEAR UP program and the resources made available through it, the counseling department now has the ability to be a one-stop shop for the students at the high school. Future planning and counseling is crucial to teenagers and without the necessary resources becomes a cumbersome and grueling task. Now when students come into the counseling department they have access to computers, books, informational brochures as well as financial aid information needed to make decisions. All of this while the school counselor is in the same room to guide and answer questions. Furthermore, when the school counselor takes the “show on the road” and delivers developmental guidance, it can be done with multiple mediums due to the resources the counseling department now has because of the GEAR UP program. In closing, I would like to reiterate my sincere gratitude to the Fairmont State University GEAR UP program staff for all they do on a daily basis for the youth of Tucker County.
Sincerely,
Iestyn Bright
Tucker County High School School Counselor”
April 9, 2009
GEAR UP:
Thank you so much for once again providing Elkins High’s GEAR UP students with a quality performance of a Shakespearean play. The opportunity to see Hamlet performed by professionals is priceless. Thank you for making it possible. The box lunches are very thoughtful and much appreciated too. Beth (Site coordinator), you do a superb job coordinating these events. Our English classes are enriched because of your efforts. Well done!”
Stephanie Price
Elkins High School English Department
February 18, 2009
GEAR UP:
Thank you for being so good to the students and teachers. This is a really good program for our students.
Mary Cool
Braxton County High School
February 12, 2009
Gear Up:
Thank you for the white board for the keyboarding lab. It is used every day.
Suzie Marple
Braxton County High School
February 12, 2009
Gear Up:
I am so grateful for the white board you provided for my classroom. It has proven an asset to all my students. In addition, I deeply appreciate the supply allotment which enabled me to purchase much-needed materials for my freshmen. Keep up the good work!
Brenda Gibson
Braxton County High School
November, 2008
Josh-
The Sportsworld Speaker at Barrackville was awesome.!! Everyone just went on and on about how great it was. Thanks for including us in this outstanding event!
Sheila Toth
June, 2008
I 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 Koontz
WPMS 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