From the desk of our Board President,
Francisco Chavez:
And as always, thank you for your support!
Foundation Aid
Model United Nations Conference:
Despite some early hiccups, the Model UN Conference at UNC-CH was a resounding success! The Governor Morehead School had two delegates successfully participate in the highest-level committee, Crisis Committee. Several other students stepped up and made short speeches to their entire delegation, showing real growth. GMS is developing a strong program, and our foundation’s support of an additional conference in the fall really provided a lot of benefit toward this conference. The foundation is pleased and proud to support the students’ participation in this endeavor!
Goal Ball Tournament:
At its February board meeting, the foundation approved a request for funding to cover the expenses of goal ball teams to travel to the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind for a tournament from March 17-19. Participating teams came from the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, the Governor Morehead School, Maryland School for the Blind, West Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, and the New York Institute for Special Education. The students and teachers had a great time and made many new friends.
School News
William Tubilleja, one of the Orientation and Mobility instructors at the Governor Morehead School, is working with fellow teachers and students to plan a plant sale for the dates of May 18th and 25th. The time of each day’s sale has not yet been determined but will most likely be in the afternoons. Sales will feature a variety of bell peppers, tomatoes and flowers. Proceeds will go toward creating sustainability for the GMS Community Garden and the educational opportunities available through gardening.
Envisioning Youth Empowerment Retreat:
Student applications are now open for the Envisioning Youth Empowerment Retreat this summer, hosted by the Governor Morehead School. From July 29 to August 5, students can participate in peer mentoring, real world experiences, and expanding their knowledge of resources. Volunteers and mentors are also needed. For more information, contact Dr. Alan Chase at alan.chase@eyeretreat.org. Apply at www.eyeretreat.org
Scouts Return to GMS:
GMS chartered a Boy Scout troop in 1926 that was active until at least the 1970s. GMS has revived this activity for the students, and since the Boy Scout organization now allows females to join, all students can participate. The school is also in need of adult volunteers to help run Troop 1845. Some volunteers would work directly with the students, and some would be part of an administrative planning committee (treasurer, recruitment coordinator, etc.). Meetings will be after school on a weekly or biweekly basis, and there is a lot of flexibility in how this group will run. For more information, contact Nancy Durling at nancy.durling@esdb.dpi.nc.gov
A special group of GMS students are now ready to serve up coffee with dedication and a smile, and a six-week training program through Wake Tech has them ready! GMS students were even featured on a local news story! Wake Tech teacher Charlie Webb said, “It’s been really amazing just to see them progress and really just be excited about coming to class every day.” Webb spent 23 years serving up coffee beverages, and now he trains students how to succeed doing the same, despite visual limitations. Braille labels help students find the right buttons to press to fill a small or larger cup of java.
The training gave students the opportunity to think about it as a business, and not just making a cup of coffee. As they finished the training program, the group celebrated their accomplishments. They are now ready to find their place in the hospitality industry. The Governor Morehead School also plans to have their own cafe where students can practice their skills. The students and their teachers hope employers recognize their potential as well as their will to succeed. Some of the Governor Morehead School students are already part of the school’s entrepreneurship program, hoping to one day own and operate their own businesses.
Fundraising
Save the Date! The Raleigh Outlaws Bowling League is hosting their annual bowling tournament on May 6th at Buffalo Lanes North in Raleigh from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Organizers plan to have an exhibition area in which organizations serving the blind can provide information about their services. The Governor Morehead Foundation plans to attend, and we invite you to come visit us!
The Governor Morehead Foundation was pleased to participate in the Red Daisy Festival in Winston-Salem earlier this month as part of a celebration of what would have been the 100th birthday of musical legend Doc Watson. An alumnus of the Governor Morehead School for the Blind, Doc Watson was a well-known guitarist, songwriter, and singer who went on to win seven Grammy awards as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Red Daisy Fest, a bluegrass/blues/folk music festival, had approximately 3,000 people in attendance, and brought in over $5,000 for the foundation!
Contributions to GMF can always be made through the N.C. State Employees Combined Campaign, or through our website.
