Angela Goody was mentioned in the news on May 14th in Greenville, North Carolina in The Daily Reflector for her recent success. She is clearly a very motivated person, and the story on her success is posted below:

Graduate takes another step forward

By K.J. Williams
The Daily Reflector

Angela Goody’s graduation from Pitt Community College on Friday is another stride away from her difficult childhood.  She’s left behind a past that included drug addicted parents who she said mistreated her and her two older brothers.  The 22-year old is poised to begin the second stage of her educational plans, working towards a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.  Eventually, Goody, who spent her teen years in foster care, plans to become a social worker and help others facing what she once faced. She compares her determination to work with youth from troubled homes to a mission of deliverance.  “They don’t understand that because they had a hard life and they’ve had it so bad that they can stop the cycle of violence and succeed with a good education,” she said.  Goody understands how hard life can be.  Although an investigation into their home lives led to foster care for Goody and one of her siblings, rescue came too late for her oldest brother. He committed suicide.  Once in foster care, Goody said she realized that she didn’t have to follow in her parents’ path.  “You don’t have to be like your family,” she said.  “I mean do you really want to be like that?” Her grades quickly rose from Ds to As and Bs. She became active in chorus and sports at Farmville Middle School.  “I realized there were other things (in life) and if I hadn’t been placed in foster care, I probably never would have finished school,” Goody said.  Social workers at the Pitt County Department of Social Services helped her and her brothers, she said, numbering them among the supporters that have given her strength.  Goody said the message of hope is one she plans to instill in foster children someday.  “If someone goes and talks to them and says ‘I’ve been through what you’ve been through, I’ve had that life, you can do better,’” Goody said, it would have an effect.  “It’s like a passion for me to help kids,” she said. Her other brother, who is 24, also graduated from PCC, but Goody will be the first in her family to aim for bachelor’s and master’s degrees.  She joked that her higher education will mark her as an “outsider” in her family.  Her associate’s degree in criminal justice has laid the groundwork for her to pursue her bachelor’s through a dual-enrollment program with PCC and Fayetteville State University. Her general studies will be taken at PCC and she will take criminal justice classes online through the university. Goody’s long-term goal is to earn her master’s degree in social work from East Carolina University.  Goody is graduating from PCC with a 3.4 grade point average. She wasn’t a serious student when she attended Lenoir Community College, but that changed at PCC.  “I didn’t really think it was possible to graduate,” she said of her earlier educational endeavor. “I had to believe in myself that I could do it.”  Goody said scholarships helped her pursue her degree, including a $500 John Minges Criminal Justice scholarship.  PCC instructor Altrice Gales said that Goody was a standout student.  “She is a very bright student.  She’s very motivated.  She has a wonderful personality,” Gales said. “And she’s a student that from the beginning has had a very clear vision and she’s just seen that vision through. She’s worked very hard.”  If it was possible to run across the stage, Goody said she would do so to be handed her diploma.  “I’m happy. It’s a blessing to have the opportunity just to come to Pitt,” she said.  Another milestone follows graduation. She plans to marry Matthew Simpkins on Aug. 13.  She met Simpkins at the pharmaceutical company where she works full-time as a security guard.

Contact K.J. Williams at
kwilliams@reflector.com or
252-329-9588.

Hola!  My name is Jamie and I am a biology major with a Spanish minor at St. John Fisher college in Rochester.  I am currently writing to you from San Jose, Costa Rica, where I am studying abroad at the University of Veritas. I go to school five days a week learning Spanish 4 hours a day every morning, and biology for two hours every night.  I am learning a great deal of Spanish and biology at the university, but what is more important is what I am learning outside of the classroom.

I have had the fortunate opportunity, thanks to FCS, to study in one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world.   I have had the opportunity to observe and hold monkeys in their natural habitat, and to be completely surrounded by never ending rainforests filled with everything and anything waiting to be explored—a biology major’s dream!  I have swam in springs heated by active volcanoes, soared hundreds of feet over the canopies of rainforests, and watched the sun set from the top of a mountain. These have been amazing experiences and the images and lessons I will have forever.

Studying in Costa Rica has taught me biology first hand, culture by being submerged completely in it, and Spanish that cannot be studied in a textbook.  It does not end there!  My study abroad experience has taught me so much about myself and the person I want to be. When I am not traveling the country on excursions studying the biology of Costa Rica and its many ecosystems, I am living in the capital city with my Costa Rican “Tico” family. Life here is much slower and full of color.   I have had the opportunity to slow down and appreciate the beauty of life all around me.   I have discovered loves, new passions, and I have been pushed to challenge myself and discover things I thought I could never do.

Being very poor as a child, and living in foster homes since age 12, I was not sure I’d be able to go to college, let alone another country.  So I too know the challenges and obstacles but I can guarantee you it is not impossible.  I am writing this blog with great happiness and hope in my heart that somebody will read this and realize studying abroad is truly the opportunity of a lifetime.  I can only share my own experiences in hopes that you enjoy reading about them, but they will never compare to the ones you can make for yourself! Thank you again FCS for making this all a reality.

Adios, Jamie

My name is Sarah, I’m a senior at Ohio University and I am studying Psychology and Spanish. I am currently studying abroad in Merida, Mexico. I live with a host family, who are very welcoming, and I view my home stay as a great way to experience the culture firsthand and on a much deeper level than as an outsider looking in. My goal is to eventually become proficient in the Spanish language, which of course will come with time and hard work, but I cannot think of a better learning method than to be immersed in the culture of whose language I am studying. While here, I take Spanish courses taught by native speakers at a local school. I attend class from 8am-2pm every day, the coursework is intensive, but is well worth it. I also have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to teach English twice a week to a group of students.

Merida is a fascinating city and is rich in culture, a result of the Spanish conquest of the Maya people. Descendents of the ancient Maya still live to tell the tale of their ancestors; I greatly enjoy learning about the traditions, practices, and legends of the Maya. Some ancient traditions are still practiced in pueblos today, but understandably much has faded. There are many ancient archeological sites scattered around the region, along with numerous cenotes (which are like underground sinkholes which collect groundwater). On the weekends, I am able to travel and have done so at every available opportunity.

On a personal note, I grew up in Appalachia, so for me, being able to see more of the world and having the opportunity to grow as a person is a very gratifying experience. While abroad, I feel like I have gained a clearer perspective of my life, I been able to focus on and define my goals, and honestly, I am more determined than ever. So although I am learning much academically, I know I am also growing as a person.

If given the opportunity, I would urge anyone to study abroad because I feel the experience is invaluable and something I will hold dear to me for the rest of my life. It is much richer than taking the same course at your home campus, and it has many benefits outside the realm of academics. I have gained a better self confidence and a fresh perspective on life.

I know that the expense of studying abroad is often a limitation, but FCS offers a study abroad scholarship which has made this experience possible for me. I know that all of my FCS student colleagues are strong individuals, we have had to be to come this far. And like the song says “If you and I made it this far- Well then hey, we can make it all the way” (‘It’s a new day” by Will.I.Am). I believe we have made it through what we have because we have a purpose in our life; though it’s up to each of us to determine what that it. So for me, studying abroad has helped me to identify several such goals; and even if you cannot study abroad, take time to reflect about such things. And I urge everyone, when you start seeing a dream fulfilled, dream bigger, this is only the beginning!

This email came in from one of our ETV/Scholarship students just the other day. In time honored fashion “names and places have been changed to protect the innocent;” we do not want to identify her even by state. But we are so proud of her! Her hard work is exemplary of all of our students, and the Foster Care to Success goal is to help them forward, each one, step by step.

I have been working and going to school like crazy. I spent lots of time with the kids, and I even went to a party Friday night. That will never happen again. I didn’t want to go, but I never go anywhere so my hubby made me go. I had fun, but I paid for it later. CPS is keeping me on edge as well. Yes, CPS! Robert got into more trouble, so now CPS is involved again. I have saved his butt so many times, but this time I am going to let natural consequences get him. I don’t want him hurt, but I need him to change right now.

I am betting on a snow day tomorrow, so I have put off studying until the kids go to bed. If the weather gets really bad, then I am not going to school. Have you ever moved so fast that you never have time to take in whats going on around you? That is whats going on now. I think today is the first day I cried about everything, but I had a two hour break while waiting for CPS. Its okay I guess.

My sister is going through some things, and John’s brother is moving in with us cause he just had a baby (he’s 15). So much, so much. Oh, I spent most of last week at the hospital with my grandma. She is out and doing better now.

I could keep going but I won’t. I am a firm believer that you have more demons than angels, but the demons only have as much power as you give them while the angel’s power comes from God. I have good things coming so the demons want my faith, but they can’t have it. Everything will work out for the best.

I love yall, and no matter the length in between emails I think about yall everyday. Smooches and have a great week. Oh also, I had two exams today and I got a 90% on one and a 100% on the other.

Foster Care to Success and Missouri ETV scholar Nate Gawlik, a junior majoring in Communications at the University of North Dakota, was recently interviewed about foster care and education by his school’s television station, and he mentioned FCS by name.

Our students make us proud, especially when they are proud of being part of FCS.

To watch his interview, click HERE.

Keep up all the good work, Nate!

Ashley with her award

On October 28, 2010, the National Association of Social Workers named The University of Akron’s Ashley Farrish to receive its All-Ohio Bachelor of Social Work Student of the Year Award. Ms. Farrish graduated from the UA School of Social Work in spring 2010 with a bachelor of social work degree and a minor in women’s studies. She is now pursuing a master’s degree from the UA School of Social Work.

Ashley told us, “Being awarded the National Social Work Association Ohio Chapter’s Bachelors Social Work Student of the year award means a lot to me because it shows people have noticed how hard I have worked for my education and for what I believe in. I decided to become a social worker for two reasons. Growing up in foster care, I had two kinds of social workers, incompetent ones and competent ones and I decided to become a social worker because of my experiences with both. I am so grateful for Foster Care to Success and their help throughout the years. I know if it wasn’t for FCS, I would not be here. The scholarship that I received has been a life saver but it is the support that I have received from the Scholarship and ETV teams and my FCS mentor that has allowed me to reach all of my goals and stay grounded. I am sincerely thankful for everyone who has supported me at FCS.”

Well done, Ashley! Congratulations.

And California State Fullerton senior Talitha James spoke before the annual Community Forum on the Condition of Children in Orange County on November 17th. The Forum focused on keeping children engaged in their own education with the support of business-academic partnerships such as the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce’s High School, Inc. Academies which prepare high school students for careers in top-growth industries including business, health care and new media.

“I couldn’t have done it alone,” she said, referring to the social workers, family members and teachers who encouraged her along the way.

We salute Talitha for speaking out about her journey to and through college, and know that her words inspired the business, nonprofit and academic leaders who attended the Forum.

Talitha at the podium