Dear Editor:
If there ever were a time that anyone thought about making a donation to a worthy cause – this would be it. (‘BHS grad lacks vehicle, but driven by ambition, The Citizen, page 2, Aug. 16).
Susan McDowell has successfully broken the cycle in her family and graduated from both high school and college. Despite all the odds against her, from the loss of her father to a mother that ruined her credit, Susan continues to persevere. Susan has beaten the odds ? and doesn’t want to end up on welfare like many of her friends. She is an inspiration to students everywhere. How lucky Susan is to have the encouragement and support of her former teacher, Jodi Burkett.
To say that Jodi Burkett is a teacher that goes above and beyond seems inadequate. That she is still involved in Susan’s life 4 years after she graduated comes as no surprise. I had the pleasure of knowing Jodi during my five years as a substitute teacher at Brandon. Her students loved her. She treated them all the same, and expected them all to work and be successful in her class. The Brandon School District is lucky to have her.
As Jodi stated in the article, let us as a community pay it forward to Susan ? she really deserves and needs a little help.
Terry Gebauer
Ortonville