Thank You's (1999 Grant)

Thank You GEAR UP (1999 Grant)

March 8, 2005

Dear Ms. Fazalare,

As a middle school and high school teacher, I have the best of both worlds. I have the opportunity to open the minds of young children and see those students mature into graduates of our public institution. One of the greatest programs I've worked with in the last five years has made a marked difference in the life of these students. That program is called GEAR UP.

GEAR UP has made a dramatic difference in the lives of many of our students. It gives them an opportunity to have a safe place to study and receive tutoring after school. It gives them a chance to visit college campuses during school time so that they can see the college experience. GEAR UP gives them a safe alternative to summer activities, allowing them a chance to go out of their hometowns and experience the "outside world". Some of the students who receive GEAR UP services never would leave their home county if they did not have the opportunity to travel with this program.

GEAR UP has provided computers for students whose families would never have been able to afford such services. This provides additional learning opportunities for the entire family. I've seen first hand the effects this one portion of the program has on an entire family. As an economically depressed area of the country, we have very little opportunity in our public schools to assist our students. GEAR UP has been a tremendous help in bridging the gap to provide the best we can for our deserving students.

The folowing are some quotes from some of my 7th grade students about the GEAR UP program:

"GEAR UP is very important. It can help us get computers to search for information on homework. It provides us with tutors, who help us with our homework. They take us on trips to colleges to find the one that's right for us. They really help our school out by providing things for the students." Brianna F.

"GEAR UP is a very educational organization. They reward you for your academic achievements, and I think it can help everyone if you give it a chance." Jason C.

"GEAR UP is very important because it helps us to get ready for college. It helps us to tackle our future. GEAR UP is also important because it helps us to find a college we like." Gunnar M.

We hope that you will find the money necessary to fund this program. It is one program that DOES make a difference in the lives of so many people in our country.

Sincerely,

Mary C. Withers, teacher

Philippi Middle School and Philip Barbour High School

February 15, 2005

Dear Ms. Fazalare:

Education of children is the profession of my choice. My number one goal as an educator is doing what is best for my students. I am sure you want the same. GEAR UP has become an important funding source for the opportunity of many students, either at-risk or minority. To maintain a strong economy for our nation, a lot of people must invest in it. To make a strong educational environment for all students, the ability to motivate students with best practices are needed. GEAR UP gives our students at Philippi Middle School of Barbour County, West Virginia, hope for a brighter future. Education is the key to success for their future and an investment is crucial.

GEAR UP provides a tutoring service that enables students to keep up their homework so as not to fall behind and then become left out. Children that drop out of school become a burden on the taxpayers as well as their parents. Not all children have the same opportunities as the higher level. These students need more opportunities to succeed or find their niche in life. The GEAR UP tutor can provide the help that some parents are not capable of giving. Once students find failure repeatedly, they give up. Now we have wasted a life which is a travesty. We need your help in restoring GEAR UP.

GEAR UP provides education materials to supplement the curriculum. If teachers are provided with the best practices, students will learn and want to be successful. Reading books and doing worksheets are not the answer to education. Hands-on, Inquiry-based learning enables the students to retain knowledge longer as indicated by the TIMMS report. Teach a child a concept and it's lost in a short time, but teach a student to think will last a lifetime.

Therefore, I ask you to help keep GEAR UP in the educational budget for the sake of our students future. I thank you for your time and co-operation. Sincerely yours,

Glenn Righman
Teacher

March, 2005

Dear GEAR UP,

I wanted to pen a note to you to thank everyone of the staff for the great ideas and devotion you have given to our children. GEAR UP is a wonderful concept. The role model recognition is one of those wonderful ideas. My husband's notification of his award came today before his 49th birthday. We've been married almost 20 years and this is probably only the second time I've seen tears in his eyes. He was so surprised that he had such an impact on his son's life. All he had to was to ask me! Parenting is the hardest job God has put upon us. When we find that we have had a positive influence on our children's lives all the discipline, tears, explanations (over & over & over again) the pleadings, teachers meetings and the gray and missing hair were all worth the effort. Thank you for the opportunity to let us know we're on the right track.

Sincerely,

Deborah L.

February 14, 2005

Gear Up Program
Fairmont State College
Fairmont, WV 26554

To Whom It May Concern

Grafton High School has been a beneficiary of Gear Up funding for the last four years. It has provided us with Smart Boards that are used throughout the curriculum areas, novels, research tools, field trips to Boston, Williamsburg and South Carolina. The benefits of this wonderful program have been numerous! Students who traveled with us on the out-of-state trips may not have ever been able to travel to these states without the support of the Gear Up program. I am sure that the exposure to the variety of learning tools and the experience of visiting other states will encourage some students to obtain post-secondary education and training to realize their goals in life.

During the 2004/2005 school year, I was fortunate to obtain Geometer's Sketchpad, which will benefit all students enrolled in Math classes in our school. In Addition, the program purchased the PBS documentary "Horatio's Drive; America's first Road Trip". This video enhanced my Algebra unit (utilizing the formula "distance = rate x time)" and provided opportunities for cross-curriculum teaching in Social Studies and English/Language Arts.

Thank you for the opportunity to improve the students' education through a variety of learning tools. Gear Up has been a wonderful program for Grafton High School.

Sincerely,

Ms. Diane Smith
Teacher
Special Education/Algebra & Geometry Collaboration

February 7, 2005

Dear GEAR UP Coordinator

I am writing as the parent of three senior sons. The three of them have taken part in many programs and activities provided by Gear Up in the past 5 or 6 years. They have visited colleges, science centers, museums, and other places of interest. One of my sons was the recipient of a computer provided by Gear Up. All of these activities and opportunities have been an added benefit to our sons' education.

This past fall, all 3 of our sons took the ACT Prep classes at Elkins High School. I was very pleased with the instruction they got for these classes. The teachers that taught these students were fantastic. "My Three Sons" all improved their ACT scores significantly. As a result, there may be more scholarships available to them that were not previously. As a family with four children in college at one time, this could be a tremendous help.

I have been quite appreciative of all the many programs and opportunities Gear Up has provided for my sons.

Sincerely,

Chris S

Ms. Donna Chipps, Coordinator
Liberty High School
One Mountaineer Drive,
Clarksburg, WV 26301

Dear Ms. Chipps:

Please accept our gratitude for the wonderful opportunities you have give our son, James, through the GEAR UP activities at Liberty High School. James has been involved with the GEAR UP Program since the seventh grade, and in my opinion, has continued to grow because of it. For example, James has shown some improvement with the actual ACT because of the ACT Prep class offered by GU. Overall, he had a 13-point gain on the practice tests last year. More specifically, I have been extremely concerned with James' reading skills since they were identified on the ACT EXPLORE in the eighth grade and on the PLAN in the tenth grade. It is frustrating that since he is a 4.0 student, the "system" offers no help to improve reading skills. While I understand the focus of the Prep is test taking strategy more than specific skills, the improvement in Reading and Science ( which is reading NOT Science knowledge) is directly related to your program. According to James, on the other hand, the practice tests have also helped alleviate the test anxiety, which is so common with a high stakes test such as the ACT. He has taken the actual ACT twice and had a gain of one point overall although his reading scores continue to be significantly lower than other scores.

In addition, we were elated that James won the laptop computer through GU. We could have never provided such an integral tool to enhance his college experience. These days most students view computers, cell phones, and cars as standard. Although we understand it was just the luck of the draw, please know that James takes nothing for granted.

Finally, I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate everything you have done to help James survive his high school years. As a teacher, you have been very influential in promoting James' writing and speech skills. He has gained so much self-confidence because of your encouragement and support. His speech fluency has greatly improved, and I attribute that to your patience. As for his writing, he just may write a sequel to the book he started in your class. I'm sure you'll be in acknowledgements! Again, thank you for the opportunities.

Sincerely,

Lynne W.

Ms. Fazalare,

I am writing this letter to thank GEAR UP for supporting the CSI summer program held July 26-30 2004. I had a wonderful time and learned a great deal. Mark Flood was a wonderful teacher. I hope you offer this class in the future so other children will get to enjoy it as much as I did.

Thank You,

Kayla G.

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing a thank you to the Gear UP Program. My name is Chelsie Sutter ( I won a Family Computer Scholarship).

Your Gear Up program at my school (Tygarts Valley High School) has helped me and the other kids. It is nice to see that there is a program that can help kids to go to college.

I am lucky to have won the Family Scholarship. I planned on going to college anyway. But now I have a computer to go to college with. Thank you so much for the computer. Hope it will help other kids too.

Sincerely,

Chelsie S.

Dear Mrs. Duncan,

I just wanted to express my opinion of MSI. I HAD A BLAST! It was a lot of fun. I learned so much more than I ever thought I would. It was a very educational experience and if ever the chance occurred to be affiliated with it once again, I would. The counselors were very nice, explanatory, and thorough. I thought the discipline was well handled and rarely needed. The rooms were very clean and above satisfactery. It would be a shame and an injustice to deny further generations the priveledge of attending Middle School Institute.

Sincerely,

Jack F. (2003-2004)

Dear Ms. Duncan:

First I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to go to the middle school institute (MSI). It was a life changing experience. Not only have I made what seem like lasting friends, but I have learned discipline. If MSI was offered to anyone, not only would I try my hardest to go again, but I would recommend it to everyone who's interested in a fun process of learning. MSI isn't a stereotypical "smart person" camp. It's for all people with a variety of activities that you can be a part of. I learned a lot from two short weeks there, not only academics wise either. I learned lessons that can't be taught in textbooks. So once again, I thank you for the wonderful opportunity.

Sincerely,

Marriah E.
Your 2003 Student
(2003-2004)

Amie Fazalare, GEAR UP Project Director
Fairmont State College
1201 Locust Ave.
Fairmont, WV 26554

Dear Ms Fazalare,

I am writing to express my support for the GEAR UP program. From offering tutoring after school to rewarding students for good behavior and grades, GEAR UP provides encouragement for students to both stay in school and to seek higher education opportunities.

My own family has benefited from the GEAR UP program in several ways. My husband and I were able to attend a parent workshop in February 2002. We attended sessions on financial planning for college, parenting teenagers, and helping your child prepare for the ACT/SAT. We have already used some of this information in making decisions regarding our children's future education.

This past year, both of our children were recipients of the GEAR UP computer scholarship. The new computer in our home was extremely welcome -- our old computer which had been "limping along" finally crashed. With my husband's recent career changes, a new computer purchase was out of the question, so the GEAR UP computer was a blessing. Education today is so closely tied to technology, it is difficult to succeed in school without access to a home computer. And because of the GEAR UP stipulation that students must maintain good grades in order to keep the computer, my son plans to put more effort into his studies in the future.

In May of this year, I had the opportunity to accompany my son on a field trip to the Carnegie Science Museum in Pittsburg. After our visit through this "hands on" museum including an IMAX movie about Jane Goodall's work with monkeys, we toured Pittsburg from the rivers on the Gateway Clipper, learning about local history, geography, architecture and commerce.

GEAR UP has supplied my children and our family with many other opportunities to learn, plan and connect as a family. Many of these opportunities include fun and entertaining activites, but the overall goal is always to further education.

Thank you for all you do with the GEAR UP program. Whenever genuine efforts are made to improve a child's education, the benefits extend to innumerable people fo years to come.

Sincerely,

Karen E.

August 6, 2004

Our daughter Kayla G. attended the CSI Summer Program the week of July 26 - 30, 2004.  She had a WONDERFUL time and learned a great amount.
Mark Flood and his staff were great.  Kayla would talk and talk more and more everyday about what they had done that day and what she had learned.
GEAR UP is a great program.  It gives our children the ability to attend college bound classes and learn a great deal about college and what the future will be for each of them.
Thank you for supporting our children in Taylor County with the GEAR UP funding.  GEAR UP is Great!

Jeff & Kim G.

Dear Amie Fazalare,

I really enjoyed this summers CSI camp. I really hope gear up continues the CSI program. My favorit class was fingerprinting, we put each others fingers in ink pads and put them on FBI fingerprinting cards. I hope you continue this program and thank you for your time.

Brandon C.

Amie Fazalare, GEAR UP Project Director
Fairmont State College
1201 Locust Ave.
Fairmont, WV 26554

Dear Ms Fazalare,

My name is Chelsie. I live in Terra Alta, West Virginia and I attend Terra Alta/East Preston School. I was recently awarded a new computer through the GEAR UP Family Computer Scholarship. I am writing this letter to sincerely thank you for your support of the GEAR UP Program. I have found it to be full of freindly people. My family and I appreciate all that you and others do to make all of the experiences that we have had with GEAR UP good ones. Again, we appreciate all that you do through the GEAR UP Program.
Sincerely,

Chelsie F.

June 23, 2004

Amie Fazalare, GEAR UP Project Director
Fairmont State College
1201 Locust Ave.
Fairmont, WV 26554

Dear Ms Fazalare,

I am going into the Eighth Grade at Washington Irving Middle School and have participated in the GEAR UP Program. I want to Thank You for the GEAR UP Program and the Family Computer Scholarships. I have wanted a computer for several years and now as a winner I will have one. This is a great opportunity for me to be able to do research and look up information for School. This will greatly help me with my School work and my own personal interest. I can't say enough about the GEAR UP Program and how glad I am that there is a program like this to help people like me. I want to Thank You again for making my wish come true.

Sincerely,

Johnna P.

June 11, 2004

Amie Fazalare, GEAR UP Project Director
Fairmont State College
1201 Locust Ave.
Fairmont, WV 26554

Dear Amie Fazalare,

I have been a participant in the GEAR UP program at Gore Middle School for three years now. Although I have received the Presidential Award it was still nice to be able to get homework help at school through the GEAR UP program. This year I was a winner in the GEAR UP Computer Scholarship Program. This will benefit our entire family. Last summer I attended GEAR UP's Project Ample camp for two weeks. It was a learning experience, lots of fun, I met and made many new aquatints. I also received a great calculator which will be used all during my highschool years. I hope you will be able to renew the GEAR UP program so other children can benefit from the program as I have. Thankyou.

Sincerely,

ManDi G.

June 11, 2004

Dear Amie Fazalare,

My name is Misty. I'm in the eleventh grade and I attend Preston High School. This summer I won a computer from the GEAR UP program. I was writing to thank everyone that sponsors the GEAR UP program. I really appreciate your support and allowing me that opportunity to win a new computer. The computer will help me in my career in the future. Again thank you for the great opportunity.

Sincerely yours,

Misty M.

May 29, 2004

Amie Fazalare, GEAR UP Director
Fairmont State College
1201 Locust Ave.
Fairmont, WV 26554

Dear Ms. Fazalare,

My name is Lori and I am in the 7th grade at Lumberport Middle School. I am writing to let you know how much I appreciate the federally funded program, Title IV-Higher Education Act of 1965. These grants help make getting our education a lot easier. GEAR UP is very important at our school. There is no reason for a child to be unable to continue their education by going to college. I was recently chosen for the Family Computer Scholarship orogram. It was a great honor for my family and me. I went to Fairmont State College for the awards ceremony. It was amazing to see how many children benefit from the grant money. I ask you to please continue providing grant money to our state so that everyone can benefit from it. I plan to go to college to become a veterinarian. I know I have a long journey ahead of me but it will be worth all my efforts. I can use my computer to help me find information about the courses that I need to take. I may have to go out of state for this degree by I will always remember how the funding has changed so many lives in our area.

Thank you,

Lori P.
Lumberport Middle School

May 26, 2004

Amie Fazalare
Gear Up Project Director
Fairmont State College
1201 Locust Ave.
Fairmont, WV 26554

Dear Amie,

We greatly appreciate the computer our daughter, Leah, received as part of a scholarship program through gear up at Fairmont State College. This had such a great effect on her!

Not only will her grades show improvement, but her self-esteem has as well. With the assistance of a computer in our home, Leah's homework has again become manageable (this is a great tool for all of us).

School may present future challenges for our daughter as she continues toward college, but she's approaching next year with new enthusiasm, thanks to you.

Sincerely,

Kimberly J.

March 26, 2004

Dear Gear UP,

I am writing to thank you again for providing funding so that my students were able to attend the Justo Lamas Concert held at Bridgeport High School. Justo is a popular singer from Argentina who visits middle and high schools all over the United States to promote the study of Spanish. We had practiced for several weeks to learn the songs so that we could sing along with him.

I was able to take 104 of my students to participate with other students from the area. We all had a fabulous time. I am especially grateful to you for affording us this fine opportunity to experience a bit of Argentina and to interact with students from other schools.

Sincerely,

Nancy S. Lavender
Spanish Teacher
Grafton High School

October, 2003

To Whom It May Concern:

Our daughters have really benefited from the program in so many ways. It has given them the chance to win a computer, and the ability to learn to use a computer. It's been beneficial in getting homework done, both reports and articles for the high school Journalism staff. My eldest is Associate Editor in the Journalism classroom, which is actually the school paper.

It's really been a lifesaver, as indicated before. We live in the country, so by the time we'd drive to a library, we'd have to sign in and wait for a turn and that's just not a good way to work with homework and things like that. With a computer at home and free Internet access the children have their homework completed without that extra energy required getting to and from the library. The extra car-ride time can now be used on homework. To be sure, they keep their grades up in school.

This program has benefited us as a family. We as parents have, in fact, just learned how to use a computer and in this day and age, if you don't know how to use a computer you're just lost.

I hope you will continue supporting and funding this great program. Thank you for your time reading this letter.

Sincerely,

Diana F.

GEAR UP:

Just a quick note to thank you for the GEAR UP computer my daughter won last year. She has deplexin and learning disabilities and usually struggles in school. In middle school her grade point averaged from a low of 0.5 to 2.5 in her 8th grade year. After receiving her computer last June, her GPA has now soared in her first year of high school to 3.0 and she made the honor roll for the first time since 4th grade.

Thank you Gear Up!

A Proud Mom;
Donna G.

Dear GEAR UP,

I really enjoy and use my dictionary and thesaurus I won in the poster contest. I won 4th place.

Thanks a lot!

To whom it may concern:

I am a freshman at East Fairmont High School. Most days after school, I tutor seventh grade math at East Fairmont Junior High. This is a great experience for me. I am quickly gaining my work-based experience hours I need to graduate. I will receive some money that I will save for later use, like college. Tutoring also helps me review and reinforce a few mathematical concepts that are important in my math class, Geometry, which I may have forgotten over the past few years. Helping other people learn the important subject of math and help them to get a better grade in math class is also something I enjoy.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to help others and myself at the same time. I enjoy tutoring and having something to do for an hour or so after school.

Dear GEAR UP,

Tutoring has done alot, it has helped me with my grades and math. When I started my math almost every day I didn't understand it, but when I went to math tutoring it helped a lot. And it will help other students too. And I want to thank you for this tutoring program because it has helped a lot.

Thank you.

Dear Gear Up,

I really enjoyed the play. I would like to go and see another one. It was a good and a little bit sad. It is good to see a play about the holiday that is coming up. It gets me excited about the holiday. It was a good play to learn a lot of things from. Thank you for letting me have the opportunity to see such a great play.

Thanks

Dear Mrs. Burner and the Gear Up Staff (Program),

Thank you so much for the funds that were provided to help buy games and posters for the Spanish program. They are very useful teaching tools. As a first year teacher in this program, the start up costs can be rather expensive to become established.

Thanks again for the much needed help for me and the student's of Barbour County.

Matthew Bright
Spanish Teacher

Dear Mrs. Gorby,

Thank you! So much for believing and picking me to go to Ample Extended. I loved everything about it.except the end because I had met so many nice people. I had also met my best friend, which I had to leave and haven't talked to since.

I would also like to add if the next people chosen to go are planning on backing out, send them to me!

Thank you

My granddaughter doesn't know how many people received an academic achievement award to the Dean's List as FMS Gear Up Project Ample and has just received an invitation for herself and the family to "Student Success Saturday" at FMS. We are all very proud of my granddaughter's accomplishments and goals.

Thank you so much,
Rita (granny)

August 4, 2003

Dear Janet,

Please accept my long-overdue thanks for all of the advice and help you have given me throughout the past year with GEAR UP. You are a wonderful mentor! I don't even know how I would have been able to survive my first year in this position without your patient and ever-present guidance.

Thanks, too, for including Tucker County personnel in you PLATO trainings last spring. We are looking forward to getting a program similar to yours up and running in our county this school year.

Your kindness and willingness to lend a hand is truly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Karen Campbell Dunkerley
GEAR UP Coordinator
Tucker County Schools

July 13, 2003

I really appreciate the hard work and effort so you could get me this computer. The computer is a great way for children to learn if or not they have money to go get a computer they can always send the child to gear up programs and activities to working hard to get there new computer if they signed up for one. I really love the computer and will always take great care of something so precious to me! Thanks.

March 18, 2003

Dear GEAR UP,

Thank you so much for supporting our recent trip to Bridgeport High School. Because of your support, I was able to take nearly 70 students to attend a concert given by Argentine pop singer Justo Lamas.

In anticipation of the trip, we practiced singing the songs in class and so we were able actually to participate in the concert. My students really enjoyed learning Justo's songs, and although we could have learned them without attending the concert, being able to hear them performed live enhanced the learning.

Justo Lamas tours the United States each year holding concerts in middle schools and high schools for the purpose of furthering the study of Spanish and Hispanic culture, and also to promote a drug- and alcohol-free life. In addition to contemporary songs, Justo includes many traditional songs as well. His message is delivered without preaching or lecturing.

We all had a terrific time. We sang the songs and several of us were invited on stage to learn a few dance steps with Justo's wife, Eva. We even made T-shirts and posters to take along.

After the concert, Justo and Eva signed autographs and had pictures taken with anyone who asked. It was a successful day.

I am so grateful to you for providing this fabulous experience for my students. Here in West Virginia, we have so few opportunities to experience other cultures in such an entertaining way. I remain in you debt.

Sincerely,

Grafton High School
Nancy Lavender
Spanish Teacher

February 6, 2004

Dear GEAR UP,

I would just like to say thank you for everything that you have done for me in the past years. You have gave me good opportunities that I would not have had if this program wasn't available. I have had a lot of fun touring all the different colleges, it has gave me opportunities to look at what options I will have to look forward to in the future. Thank you very much GEAR UP!!

Thank you

Dear Amie Fazalare,

I thought I would write to you and tell you how GEAR UP has helped me. I think GEAR UP is a great program. I have had a lot of fun on all the trips and even the summer school. I have decided that I want to go to Fairmont State College and I wouldn't have even thought about it if it wasn't for the program. GEAR UP has helped one of my friends too. She won a computer through GEAR UP and uses it a lot for her homework.

Thanks.

Mrs. Stevens,

Thank you so very, very much for including us in your GEAR UP appreciation day. My family thoroughly enjoyed the trip. They will never forget. My daughter has talked about her train ride all week to anyone who will listen. I think her favorite thing was eating on the train. We appreciate what the GEAR UP program has done for the students in Barbour County who take advantage of it.

Thanks again!
The Cross and Canny Family

November 18, 2003

To GEAR UP:

I am a seventh grader at East Fairmont Junior High. You've helped me improve my grades in math, social studies, Tec. Ed, and science through tutoring. You've also given me something to do after school instead of going home and getting into trouble or just watching TV. Tutoring is helping me to understand better the homework I have, rather than just going home and having trouble trying to understand it. At school, the teachers and tutors help me understand my work better.

Thank you.

Dear GEAR UP,

I am in the seventh grade and I attend East Fairmont Junior High School. I am the kind of person that does enjoy school. I often get good grades, and have never made a C on my report card. This year I got very close to getting a C in math, but thanks to your tutoring program I was able to spend more time with my teacher and my homework. By the end of nine weeks I was able to raise my grade to a B. This program really has helped me and also many of my friends.

I also enjoyed the field trip that we took to go to the theaters. I loved the movie and it was a great way to award the people who work hard and do good in school. I do believe that field trips and rewards will help change the behavior at our school. Many of the students that were not able to go because of bad behavior slips will try harder not to get any next time so they will be able to attend.

In my own words I think GEAR Up is a wonderful program that has helped our school in many ways. I hope that East Fairmont Junior High always stays a GEAR Up school.

November 21, 2003

Dear GEAR UP:

Last month I was a chaperone on two GEAR UP sponsored activities at my daughter's school, Monongah Middle. The first was at WVU for the "Chispa" Conference. It was a weekend of total immersion in the Spanish culture.language, arts, cooking, song, and dance. For the young students just learning Spanish, this provided a wealth of insight that they would never have been able to feel and understand from just the classroom experience.

The second occasion was again at WVU, this time for the International Festival. What a wonderful day it was! There were over thirty countries exhibiting, with each providing a little taste and flavor of their native land. I can't begin to tell you the knowledge gained from this "hands-on" opportunity. And each came away with a little more understanding of our world neighbors.

By chance, KDKA-TV was filming while we were there and I made sure to tell them about the opportunities of the GEAR UP program. Paola, our Spanish teacher who was instrumental in arranging these trips, was also interviewed. It was to be aired the following day, but I wasn't available to watch it. I hope the exposure will be instrumental in extending such a fine program as GEAR UP.

Sincerely,
Rosemary Michael
GEAR UP parent

I would like to thank you for GEAR UP. &nbspIt has helped me in school with my work. &nbspI have raised my grades from C's to B's and A's. &nbspI am up with my classes now. &nbspI never get left behind when I am at GEAR UP. &nbspMrs. Whitescarver Mrs. Redman has helped me with my grades. &nbspI would like to thank them, but I already have a million times. &nbspThey are very nice to me. &nbspMrs. Whitescarver helped me today 11/17/03 if I would not have gone I would most likely be in trouble. &nbspToday I found out that I now have a B in Mrs. Whitescarver's math class. &nbspI have an A in science now, because Mrs. Redman helps me. &nbspWell thank you again for GEAR UP its really made the difference in my schoolwork.

7 February, 2004

To Whom It May Concern:

During my five years as GEAR UP coordinator at Salem Middle School, I have seen a lot of time, energy and money go into programs to help our students. In thirty years of teaching, I have never seen a program be as effective as GEAR UP has been. Students who receive little or no academic help at home have received tutoring and mentoring from teachers, college students and parent volunteers. Salem middle students who previously had never been out of Harrison County have taken field trips to the capital, the Clay Center Museum and Art Gallery, and scenic attractions such as Seneca Falls, Blackwater Falls and New River Gorge Bridge. Students have attended plays, toured colleges and heard special speakers talk about the importance of planning for the future by making wise decisions now. These have all been successful ventures which have been greatly appreciated by our students and our parents.

No program or speakers, however, have been as effective in reaching our students as Teen Challenge speakers, Sal and Debbie DiBianca. Their message of making good choices and realizing the consequences of bad choices captures the students' attention in an amazing way. Their life experiences give authenticity to their presentation, and the students are immediately impressed by their sincerity. Anyone who has ever worked with middle school students knows that they see through anyone who is not genuine, and the DiBiancas are truly genuine and exhibit a strong sense of concern for young people.

The DiBiancas spoke at Salem Middle School at the beginning of our GEAR UP program. Our Teachers and administration remembered the powerful message they presented to our students, and we were anxious to have them return to our school. I, however, had a more personal interest in having them return. My daughter, an eighth-grade student, would be in the audience this year. She, along with all the seventh and eighth grade students, heard a messagee which will equip them to hopefully make wise choices in the future.

I can unequivocally recommend Debbie and Sal DiBianaca to any school that is concerned with reaching students, particularly the ones who seem to be unreachable. Thier concern for students and the effectiveness of their presentation combine to make this a program that students will long remember.

Sincerely,
Phyllis Pilewski,
Teacher and Librarian
Salem Middle School

06 February, 2004

Dear GEAR UP,

Thank you very much GEAR UP!!
Myra P.

08 January 2004

Dear Ms. Fazalare,

I enjoyed having GEAR UP funds for many of my class projects. They would not have been possible otherwise.

Please add my voice to the many teachers who do not want to see GEAR UP leave.

Very Sincerely,
Shirley Rosenbaum, Teacher
Bruceton School
Bruceton Mills, WV

10 July 2003

To All Gear Up Staff,

My family would like to thank everyone at Fairmont State College who help and work with Gear Up. Thank you for the wonderful opportunities made available this past year for all students and their families involved in the Gear Up program. We took advantage of as many of these programs as possible.

The 2003 Parent Workshop at FSC held in February was excellent. I have two younger students that really liked the hands-on career workshops. Even though they are in the primary grades, they felt good about being included and allowed to explore various career options available to them through Fairmont State. My children enjoyed the planned activities that were led by FSC students while parents attended workshops and they definitely enjoyed the campus dining hall.

Thanks for the family football outings, the basketball games and even FREE tickets to see a Fairmont State theatrical production. We attended the Town and Gown production of NUNSENSE in June.

My children participated in the Swim Camp, Basketball Camp, Baseball Camp, Summer Bash at Valley Worlds of Fun and the Prickett's Fort Day Camp. My Gear UP students Nora Satterwhite, was among the children selected to participate in the ARTSMARTS Camp. She learned a lot from that and hopes to participate again next year.

The Prickett's Fort Day Camp and sleepover in the fort was another of her favorites. It was a very good first hand look and hands-on experience of how our nation first began and the hardships endured by those who sought a better and different way of life. It was the first time we had been to Prickett's Fort and it will not be our last.

Monongah Middle School principal, Jim Pulice and Student Counselor Ruth Ann Dean are very well informed in what Gear Up has to offer. They kept the students and their families updated of what was going on throughout the 2002-2003 school year. Monongah Middle students went to the Pittsburgh Zoo, on the Potomac Eagle Train Ride, the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh and the Oglebay Park and Zoo in Wheeling, WV.

If not for Gear Up, my child would not have been able to visit most of these places otherwise. She has acquired more knowledge and a better understanding of the importance of a college education. It is much more effective to give opportunities to participate than just telling someone they have to go to college. I know Fairmont State College is in the future of my children. Keep up the good work and keep Gear Up going.

Thank You Very Much!!
Mary Ann Satterwhite

May 20, 2003

Dear Ms. Fazalare

On behalf of the children in the State of West Virginia, Westwood Middle School in Monongalia County, I would like to ask for your support with the GEAR UP Program that currently exists in our Middle schools. This program is an asset for helping kids that would like to go on to college, to get a better education. I understand the funding for this grant ends next year. I have a daughter that has benefitted fronm the GEAR UP Program and would really like to see my younger children be able to have the same advantages, as well as all children. This program helps to change kids way of thinking about school, and that it's cool to study and do good in school. Times have changed, as you are aware and without this program I feel there will be several kids that will fall thru the cracks! I thank you for your time.
Sincerely,

Beverly K. A.

May, 2003

Dear Fairmont State GEAR UP

I am Kayla, an eighth grade student at Lumberport Middle School. I've been in the GEAR UP program for two years and have learned a lot about different colleges and opportunities. Also, the tutoring has helped me bring my math grade up from a B to an A.
Sincerely,

Kayla M.

May, 2003

Dear Fairmont State GEAR UP

We would like to take this opportunity to THANK YOU for choosing us for the GEAR UP computer scholarship winners. We're sure we will really enjoy our new computer! We thought the banquet that we attended was really nice. My Mom is loking forward to going to the Parent Work Shop. We are looking forward to seeing you and receiving our new computer.

Shanna and Shayla A

May, 2003

What GEAR UP Means to Me

GEAR UP offers many things for students in meddle school and high school. You gear up to go to college, and what you want to be in the future. Some of the things GEAR UP offers are afternoon turoring, encouraging children to learn more, and offering scholarships.

Alicia M.

May, 2003

WHAT IT MEANS TO WIN A COMPUTER

I am really excited about winning a computer. It will help me a lot with my work. I will be able to make better grades. GEAR UP has been a great program. I am so happy, I just want to say thank you to all the teachers in GEAR UP.

Anjelica S.

April 17, 2003

To Whom It May Concern:

I'm writing to say Thank-You for choosing our daughter as a GEAR UP computer scholarship winner in April, 2002.
I think the program is great. It gives them a chance to do things that they may never get to do otherwise. The computer has really come in handy for homework for her. She has Journalism as a class and has to save information on a floppy disk to turn in. It is helping her to get ready for employment in the future. It's also helping our ten year old and us as a family teaching us how to use a computer. Again without the GEAR UP program a lot of children wouldn't stand a chance of doing some of the things they offer. Thanks again!
Sincerely,

Diana Foster
(Barbour County GEAR UP)

Dear Mrs. Grose,

We would like to express our appreciation to the GEAR UP staff that provides after school tutoring at Elkins High School. As parents of a sophomore we are aware of the benefits that this program has provided for the past two years that he has been a student.

My husband and I both work and feel that GEAR UP serves as a great motivator to the students for them to do their very best and succeed. Evenings can be very stressful at our house when dinner is being prepared, evening chores completed, errands ran as well as the two teenage boys' individual activities. It is comforting to know that they can be picked up (my other son is in eighth grade) and the homework is finished or very nearly so and they have completed this with "expert" help from those faculty members and peer tutors.

Please accept this as our family's thanks for this worthwhile program. It is helping my sons to achieve and stay focused while working independent of us. They, in turn, like arriving at home telling us what they did at GEAR UP and that homework is finished.

You have our sincerest thanks and support!

William and Chris T.

Dear Amie Fazalare,

My name is Lacey C., and I am in the 10th grade, attending Preston High School, in West Virginia. I am writing to you today, to express my gratitude for the project Gear Up. I think it is one of the best projects started for the students of West Virginia. It reaches out to the students of many counties, including mine, Preston County.

It provides students and their parents with information about possible career options, financial aide opportunities for college and any information they might need about education after high school. Not only has it provided us students with this information, but it provides many activities for students who might not usually have the opportunity to take part in such activities without Gear Up. We have taken many educational field trips to places like: Harpers Ferry, the Pearl S. Buck home place, Seneca Caverns, and many others. We have also toured different colleges such as; Fairmont State College, Salem University and West Virginia University, and we have toured the State Capitol and Washington, D.C. Gear Up also makes after school tutoring available, in almost all subjects, for students that need extra help. Gear Up also offers computers every year to students, they hand out applications to all students that Gear Up is available to, and they all get a chance to apply to win a computer. Last year I believe there were at least eight computers given to students at Preston High. Gear Up does much more than what I have told you so far, but it is obvious that it is a great program, that is helping many students.

Gear Up certainly has effected my view on college, career possibilities and my entire future. With the Gear Up program I have been able to attend many activities; where the surroundings counties that are involved in Gear Up were also there. I have made many new friends, whom I still keep in touch with to this day. Gear Up has given me the opportunities to go to HI-Y camp, which was a wonderful experience, and I have participated in Midnight basketball, Fairmont State College informational weekend activities, the annual Summer Bash in Fairmont and so many more activities, I also, along with four other students, was hired through Gear Up and Preston County Schools to be a library assistant through the end of the school year last year to the end of the summer. My job duties included: making crafts and organizing activities for younger children, organizing books, and reading to the children. I believe that not only was it a good experience for me, but it really was a good thing for the younger children, and also the parents. Classes and workshops have been made available for parents, workshops such as computer classes, financial aide classes, information on different tests their children should be taking to get ready for high school and college and many more. My parents have been to all of the classes I have mentioned and more.

I believe that Gear Up has made an excellent impact on all of the people who have been involved in it, and should not only be provided to the selected counties it is to now, but to the entire state. With Gear Up being offered to more students and more parents, I believe it will get more students interested in taking part in some type of education after high school and that will then raise the rate of education after high school in West Virginia.
Sincerely,

Lacey L. C.

Good Morning, Denise..

Yes, by all means, please pass on my comments, as they are representative of both "sides" of the Gear Up Program. A veryimportant message to pass on is that for every dollar funded, there are hundreds, if not thousands of dollars donated in time and effort by those of us in education who are striving to open a door for these children. As a parent, I was able to witness the excitement in my daughter's face as she gazed over an entire gymnasium filled with people that obviously loved what they had chosen as a career. THAT was the message that was sent to all of the people who attended Gear Up Day... a career should be enjoyable and by taking the proper steps to prepare for your future, great opportunities await you. I'd better get off my soapbox and back to class, Denise. Thank you so much for your help and please know that your hard work is appreciated!

Sue H

To Whom It May Concern,

Over the years my subjects in school have came easy to me, but as soon as I hit High School that all started to change. When I came here as a freshman I did not no what to do about my grades because they were dropping. So I asked around if any body could tutor me, and they all told me about GEAR UP and how it has helped them. So they all told me to go see Mrs. Grose or Mr. Epler. So I went to the after school tutoring and it was pretty cool and not as boring as everyone said it was. GEAR UP has improved my grades tremendously in all of my core classes. Before I was not doing my homework, and going to GEAR UP makes me because it gives me something to do and it makes time for it. GEAR UP is a great place to learn because you always have help, and they always no what they are doing.
Sincerely,

Drew T.

Dear Gear Up,

We would like to thank you for the great day that we had at Fairmont State College. We learned quite a bit about college requirements and financial aid. It was great to look around the campus and meet some of the staff. Having dinner and going to the basketball game gave our son a chance to experience a little "campus life". This was a positive experience for all of us, and we hope that you have future programs for the family to attend.
Sincerely,

Robert, Starlyn, and Derek R.

Good morning, Amie

Despite the nasty weather, I thought Saturday's Gear Up Family Day was excellent! The set-up at Colebank gave an organized, polished presentation of FSC & FSC & TC to the families attending. The a.m. timing was perfect and concentrating the "crowd" in the one hour window made the time spent a pleasure. Wanted to pass on a comment from one of the parents when he asked... "Everyone here seems so excited about what they do. Are they like this all the time?" I was very honest and said, "Probably not when we have committee meetings or still grading assignments at midnight, but with our students and in the classroom, yes, we love what we do!" As a parent, the morning was great for my daughter. She had not realized there were so many job descriptions. And to see all the tables and presenters really had an impact on her thinking. So thank you, Amie, a lot of hard work and many hours were spent on the day, but the GEAR UP program is making a positive impact on many lives.

Sue Hill - PTA Program

Thank you GEAR UP
To Whom It May Concern,

Elkins High School Gear Up Program has helped me out more than one way. First and most important is that it has helped me improve in my grades greatly. Before I started attending Gear Up, I was always trying to skip class, trying to take the short way out just so I could get whatever I needed to get done done. My parents were very upset with my grades come 1^st Mid-Term. My first Mid-Term was D's and F's. My parents decided to try and help me out themselves. But when Nine Weeks came around my grades still were not any better. They still looked like this, Algebra C, Computer Drafting F, Health and SNSMR MTH, D. So we decided that it was time to start attending Gear Up. Now I have been attending Gear Up for 4 weeks and my grades are as stand. Algebra B, Computer Drafting C, Health A, CNSMR MTH, A.
Thanks,

Chris

Thank you GEAR UP
1-2-03
To Whom It May Concern,

I attend GEAR UP twice a week and I like to come. The program is a big help to my academic standing. In the past my grades were straight F's. My grades are now passing (in the D to B range). The program has been a lot fun, too, like when we went to Valley Worlds of Fun. In the past years of my education I often did not attend school because of dislike. GEAR UP has helped me start to like school.
Thank you,

Harold

Thank you GEAR UP

I want to thank you so much for the family computer. My family and I really like it. Right now I am going to the Basketball camp at Fairmont State, I want to thank you for allowing me to go to that...It is a very nice camp. Thank you again.

Shayla E.

Thank you GEAR UP

Thank you very much for picking me to be the internet winner. I've learned much more about computers than what I did know. Matter of fact, I've learned so much I even taught my Mom how to work one.
Thanks Much,

Kimberly B.

Thank you GEAR UP

Hello...I am a student at Doddridge County Middle School. I just wanted to say thank you for all of the opportunities that GEAR UP has provided for me. Through it I have been able to: go to the Grand Canyon and other places in Arizona, tour different schools around the state, attend Project AMPLE Extended, attend a technology camp, and many other things. I hope that this grant is continued so that other kids can have the opportunities that I have had. Thanks again.

Sarah M.

Thank you GEAR UP

I wanted to thank you for having the computer scholarships...And also for sending me to Camp Horseshoe...it was greatly appreciated and I had an awesome experience while I was there. I was taught a lot of leadership skills while I was there, now I hope to give back what you have contributed to me. Thanks!

Christa W.

Thank you GEAR UP

Hi, I think that the GEAR UP is an excellent program for people of all ages. The Project AMPLE Extended really helped me in deciding which college to go to, what to major in, what I want to be when I grow up and stuff like that. It also helped make a lot of new friends. It is an excellent program and when I ..... had to leave I just wished it was for a little longer period of time. I'm just grateful I had the opportunity to be in the GEAR UP program and have that learning experience.
Sincerely,

Amber C.

Thank you GEAR UP

Thank you for picking me to win a computer. I'm enjoying it!!!

From: Chelsey C.

Thank you GEAR UP

Thank for taking me on the tour (of Fairmont State College). I really enjoyed everything about it! The video was really well made, and I think it was really nice of you to give me candy and a t-shirt. I hope I can come back soon.
Sincerely,

Norm B.

Thank you GEAR UP

Our family would like to thank you and Fairmont State College for all the GEAR UP projects and programs our son and family have had the opportunity to participate in. We really do appreciate this program.
Thank you,

Gary, Alice and Jason C.

Thank you GEAR UP

Dear Amie,

We had a great time at the Sedona National Park. I think that kids behind should get to experience this educational trip too. Thanks for everything.
Thanks,

Ashley C. & Alicia C.

Thank you GEAR UP

Dear Amie,

All the students and teachers involved in the Great Train Escape trip would like to thank you for doing a wonderful job in leading GEAR UP into such wonderful educational trips.
Yours truly,

DCMS

Thank you GEAR UP

Dear Amie,

The Grand Canyon is great! It is unbelievable out here! I know that not only am I having a great time, everyone else is also! Thank you so much for your help.

Megan K.

Thank you GEAR UP

Thank you for giving this computer. I love it so much....Thank you again.

Nicole S.

Thank you GEAR UP

I am a computer scholarship winner. I just wanted to say thank you, I really like it!!
Thank you very much !!!!

Myra P.

Thank you GEAR UP

On behalf of our family, we would like to thank you for this gracious gift of the Gateway computer to me. Thank you so far it has helped us graciously. So, on behalf of our family, Thank you GEAR UP. I can't wait until next school year so I can continue your great services at Morgantown High School.

Thank you GEAR UP

For choosing me to win a computer. I really appreciate it.

Justin B.

Thank you GEAR UP
Dear Kathryn & Kim,

Thank you for the tour (Fairmont State College) you all gave us . My favorite part of the tour was when Kathryn showed us the movie How To Be # 1. It showed me no matter what I can go to college. Thank you for showing me this.
Sincerely,

Josh W.

Thank you GEAR UP

Thank you for all the things you did for us. We enjoyed the college tour (Fairmont State College)...thank you for the candy and t-shirts, and thank you again for everything you did for us.
Thank you,

Justin K.

Thank you GEAR UP
Dear Kathryn and Kim,

I really enjoyed your video, Kathryn. Thanks for the candy Kim. Everything was really fun and exciting. I love my shirt & stuff....Thanks to the tour guides.
Yours truly,

Amber S.

Thank you GEAR UP

Thank you for letting us come and see the college (Fairmont State College) and for showing us the movie.

Thomasina B.

Thank you GEAR UP

Thank you for letting us visit the college (Fairmont State College). My favorite part of the tour was going inside the dorm.

From: Casey

Thank you GEAR UP

Thank you for all you did for our trip (to tour Fairmont State College). We had an excellent time and thank the tour guides; they did their jobs very well!

Eric K.

Thank you GEAR UP

Thank you for showing me around the campus (Fairmont State College), and being so generous.

Brendan H.

Thank you GEAR UP

Thank you for your help helping me realize that I can get help for school.

From: Travis

Thank you GEAR UP

Thank you for the Fairmont State College Tour! You are the greatest!!

Chelsea, age 13, grade 7

Thank you GEAR UP
Dear Kathryn and Kim,

Thank you for your wonderful tour of Fairmont State College. I really enjoyed the college. It was a really nice school.
From,

Christopher

Thank you GEAR UP
Dear Kathryn and Kim,

Thank you for taking me on the tour. I really enjoyed everything about it! The video was really well made, and I think it was really nice of you to give me candy and a shirt. I hope I can come bock soon.
Sincerely yours,

Norm B.