Pathway

We decided to combine with the area office class and have a "completion ceremony" for the Pathway graduates.  This is our class, the one that meets at the Institute across from the Temple and near a bus stop. The attrition rate from the beginning semester is pretty steep, as Pathway is not easy and takes a lot of time, especially when one is not studying in his or her native language.  Also, several graduates were unable to attend for various reasons, but these, the ones we became closest to, were there.

This is the opening song. The pianist is Hyrum from our class. We didn't even know he played until the third semester. In the first third semester writing assignment the student is to write a love letter to an inanimate object. He wrote his letter to his piano (and that's how we found out). We asked him to play for the ceremony and he said yes.  He was even there early to play some prelude. (I know we should have never doubted, but with our Pathway students ??) The sister conducting is Karina from the area legal office. She was in the class that met at the area office. 

Cesar Hooker, the former Area Director of Temporal Affairs and area seventy, spoke. For his talk he drew on a story told by President Marion G. Romney about seagulls in St. Augustine, Florida, who grew to depend on the shrimp fleet that threw them scraps.  Times changed, however, and after many years the fleet left and, although they were surrounded by abundant food, the seagulls were starving because they had never learned to catch fish for themselves. It was a good talk, perfect for this occasion.

Kirsten. She is now preparing to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and the ACT or SAT and wants to go to BYU-Provo (physically, not online).  She was the youngest student in our group -- 16 years old when she started and now 17!

Keyla. She learned English on her mission in the Nampa, Idaho mission (yes, our Nampa).  Keyla worked really hard --especially in the last two semesters, because she was taking another intensive course and was called to be the Young Women's President in her ward.

Antonio, who is now studying Business Management at BYU Idaho online. He is already a fairly successful businessman and entrepreneur.  Initially, Antonio started Pathway to set an example for his son who has been less than enthusiastic about higher education.

Ernesto, an amazing guy who at his age decided to improve his English. He also works in the Temple. (I know -- the first photo of me, Evie, with Ernesto is pretty bad -- but Ernesto looks good, so we had to put it in!) 

 

Hyrum came with his parents. They all were so proud. He is now studying at BYU Idaho online.

After we had finished the meeting and had just finished cleaning up the last of the refreshments, I got a call from Jorge, who said he on his way and wondered if he was too late. (He was over one and one-half hours late for a one hour event.) Jorge is probably the brightest student, but sometimes not so well organized. Of course, we told him it was not too late. He arrived awhile later, all cleaned up and looking really good, to receive his certificate. Jorge and I are actually pretty good friends.

He's now back home in Tarapoto (in the jungle) studying software design at BYU Idaho online and trying to figure out how to get to BYU in the US. He also studies Japanese and is putting together yet another rock band. 

POST SCRIPTS

Antonio and his wife Jeanette were sealed in the Lima Peru temple and invited us to the sealing.

They also invited us for lunch one Saturday at their apartment, very nice, just above the golf course. Jeanette is also a talented artist (and in fact we're bringing back a couple of works she gave us).

Antonio is Evie's favorite because he lets her play with Lucas.