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Valley Forge Connection to Parma Hts. Christian Academy
by Cindy King
How often is it that a kindergarten and
first grade teacher from the same school have sons graduate at the very top of
their senior class? This is the
case with Mrs. Jodi Blackburn and Mrs. Emily Reeves who teach at Parma Heights
Christian Academy located on West Ridgewood Drive.
Their sons, Joshua Blackburn and Matthew Reeves, both graduated Summa Cum
Laude on Saturday, June 7 from Valley Forge High School.
While
Mrs. Blackburn and Mrs. Reeves have been focusing on teaching kindergarten and
first grade respectively at this K thru 6th grade Blue Ribbon School,
their sons have been working hard through the years to graduate with high
honors. Joshua and Matt both said
that their parents were the most important influence in their lives encouraging
them to always do their best and to serve others.
Both
young men have been involved at Parma Heights Christian Academy.
Joshua Blackburn attended the school from first through sixth grade,
while Matt Reeves has been employed by the school in their after-school care
program for the last two years. Matt
has also volunteered many hours at lunch, recess, and special events when his
busy schedule allowed.
“I
really enjoy getting to know the kids and providing a positive role model,
especially for the boys,” Matt commented.
“It is a great school because the teachers put so much into teaching
each subject. They are focused on
what is best for the kids.”
Joshua,
a leader in the Christian Crossfire group at Valley Forge, organized a
fundraising project in order to sponsor a child at an orphanage in Southern
Brazil, even visiting the orphanage during the summer of 2001.
Joshua stated, “Since God has blessed me greatly, I feel privileged to
be able to help others whenever I can.”
Finishing
at the top of their senior class, both were selected to write farewell addresses
in the Valley Forge High School newsletter. Joshua said he “wanted to influence the seniors as they
embark on a new chapter in life. I
felt that writing about character would encourage them in one of the most
important aspects of a person’s life.”
Josh
wrote, “I challenge you to consider who you are if fame, money, popularity,
and grades are hidden. Who are you?
What is your character? As
we strive for a life of
importance,
I challenge you to sow a character of honesty, honor, and integrity into the
thoughts and actions of your life.”
Matt
inspired his classmates with these words: “Right now, every moment, we are
faced with decisions that will dramatically affect our ability to reach our
dream’s door. A good choice may
just empower us enough to step through that door, yet a poor choice, no matter
how minuscule it seems could set us back, or dare I say shut that door.
Don’t let the fun of today interrupt the excellent opportunity of
tomorrow.”
With
handsome scholarships, both young men head off to college this fall with Joshua
attending Cedarville University in Ohio and majoring in electrical engineering.
He plans to follow in his mother’s footsteps through teaching; however his
goal is to teach at the university level.
Matt
will major in aeronautical science at LeTourneau University in Texas.
While he plans to become a commercial airline pilot, the possibility of
running for president of the United States “has been left open for further
evaluation”.
Teachers
and best friends, Jodi Blackburn and Emily Reeves, have taught their sons well.
They will remain behind and continue to educate and inspire kindergarten
and first graders at Parma Heights Christian Academy.
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