Two foster teens receive Rising Up and Moving On Awards

Step by step kids learn to succeed
Weyrich, Carleta. People's Defender, April 14, 2007.

Adams County Children Services hosted their annual Kids' Community Breakfast on April 4, to raise awareness of the efforts of child abuse and neglect prevention in the county. The administration building at the Adams County Fairgrounds was filled to capacity with families and government officials who came to celebrate steps taken in the right direction by about 50 local students.

"Success comes from making the best of what you have," said Dawn Grooms, foster care and adoption specialist with ACCS. "Anyone who has ever achieved something did so by making the best of what they had. That's why the road to success is so elusive. There really is no set path because we all start in different places with different resources. You reach success by knowing exactly what you want, having a desire that pulls you forward and using everything you have, your unique talents and resources, to get there."

Grooms presented two teens in the Adams County foster care program with Rising Up and Moving On Awards. This award is presented to outstanding youth in foster care who have achieved in the face of adversity. The recipients for this year were Bryant Purdin and Michelle Slover, both age 17.

ACCS first became involved with Bryant and his family when he was only six months old. Throughout his life, Bryant was in and out of foster care due to lack of supervision and unclean, unsafe living conditions at home.

Bryant is currently placed at the Mended Reeds Children's Residential Center in Ironton. He was a sophomore at the end of the 2005-06 school year, but plans to graduate this year from the Collins Career and Technical Center. According to Grooms, with hard work, determination and by taking summer classes, Bryant has been able to achieve his goal of graduating on time. In addition to his school work, he is also working 30-35 hours per week. Bryant plans to continue working after graduation.

"Throughout Bryant's young life, he has learned to overcome many situations and circumstances he has faced through no fault of his own," said Grooms. "Due to the care he receives from staff at Mended Reeds, Bryant has learned to develop positive relationships. He has matured into a young man who has truly risen up beyond all obstacles and is now truly motivated and prepared to move forward with his life."

ACCS became involved with Michelle when she was 12 years old. At the time, her father was deceased, and her mother became imprisoned, so she came to Adams County to live with a former stepfather. Less than a year later, Michelle was placed in Wilson's Children's Home due to abuses she suffered from him.

"In 2005, Michelle had the opportunity to share her story with our community at the Kid's Community Breakfast," Grooms said. "It was wonderful to hear her speak so eloquently about where she has been, and where she plans to go."

Now Michelle lives with foster parents, is an A-B honor roll student enrolled in the health and technology program at the Ohio Valley Career and Technical Center and is employed after school. Following graduation, Michelle plans to attend college and become a nurse.

"Michelle deserves to be recognized for her accomplishments," said Grooms. "She has shown strength and courage in her ability to share her story with others, to help with their healing and her own. She has shown dedication and commitment in her school work. She tries to do her best in every aspect of her life, and I am confident she will continue to reach for her dreams of becoming a nurse."

Also during the breakfast, Kids Who Care Awards were presented by Grooms, ACCS Caseworker Supervisor Sonya Evans and Wilson Children's Home Superintendent Michael Parks. Personnel from schools in the county nominated 41 students to be recognized for their efforts and achievements in going above and beyond for the benefit of others in their schools and community. Please see pictures in the coming Apr. 15 weekend edition of The People's Defender.

Many of the students were nominated for volunteering to assist their peers who are struggling with schoolwork, to help younger students or to befriend handicapped students. Some voluntarily gave up free time or recess to help others, some used their own resources to raise money for charity. The nominees overall preferred nothing in return for their actions and brightened the classroom with their enthusiasm.

Another group of students, from Peebles High School, provided entertainment during the breakfast with a selection from the musical "Oklahoma." The musical production will take stage at the school on May 11 and 12 at 7 p.m.

RISING UP AND MOVING ON - Two local teens have done exactly that, each finding the strength and determination to overcome past situations and circumstances beyond their control. Seventeen-year-olds Michelle Slover (left) and Bryant Purdin (right) were honored at the Adams County Kids' Community Breakfast with Rising Up and Moving On Awards. This award is presented to outstanding youth in foster care, who have risen up and moved on in the face of adversity.