VALDOSTA —
THUMBS UP: To Leisa Marshall for helping area families in need. In the process of improving her own health, the Valdosta State University accounting professor developed a fundraiser to help a student's father, who was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. The inaugural Honor Our Neighbor 5K Run was held on July 10. Future runs will benefit another family battling disease.
THUMBS DOWN: To those who read a crime story in the newspaper and spend their day discussing the victim’s or the offender’s race. Why not spend all that time and energy helping the police? Crime knows no color or neighborhood. It can happen to anyone at anytime. Just because someone is of one particular race, nationality, or socioeconomic level or dresses a particular way does not mean they are destined to commit a crime or deserving of being a victim of crime.
THUMBS UP: To Alyssa Shirey for being named the 2010 NCAA Division II Diamond Catcher of the Year. The Valdosta State University softball team member was the only All-American on last year’s team. She was recently named to the Gulf South Conference’s All-Decade Team and was named the Gulf South Conference East’s Player of the Year.
THUMBS UP: To the educators who are working at the Goodwill Career Center teaching English as a second language classes to immigrants from across the globe.
Also, thumbs up to the men and women taking advantage of this service. Many of them are professionals from places like China and India who hope to pursue additional education once they can speak the language and to continue their careers in the United States.
