Jerry Pierce (IA 95) began a “foreign odyssey” in 2003 by teaching in the Ukraine while staying with a family that eventually immigrated to the United States.  Jerry hosted both these family members and another Ukrainian student, so he had a total of five Ukrainians in his home for six months.  Jerry described the situation as “a fun experience.”  The father of the Ukrainian family has maintained his conn ection with Jerry through the years by participating in his weekly tutoring sessions.

Sergei Khrushchev (son of Nikita Khrushchev) and Jerry Pierce (IA 95) This photo was taken on August 30, 2009 at the National Guard Camp Dodge in Des Moines, Iowa at the fiftieth anniversary celebration of Nikita Khrushchev's visit to Iowa in 1959.

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Ruth Meissen (IL ’08) says it is important to encourage students to think of their future in a different way – a way that is not all about them. When students realize the potential impact of the contributions they can make by freely giving of themselves, using the talents and skills they have learned in school, we have given hope to the next generation. 

 Ruth is an art teacher at Harlem Middle School in Loves Park, Illinois. In January of 2007, she organized a school-wide effort to help the students of her school learn a real life lesson about another kind of art – the art of giving. Her school “adopted” Edward Hynes Charter School, a Pre-K through 8 school in New Orleans that had been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Ironically, the two schools shared the same mascot – The Huskie. As a symbol of the partnership for the future, Ruth designed this logo to be used on T-shirts and other accessories for both schools. The logo incorporates the common mascot and initial of the schools on the green section. The white fleur-de-lis of Hynes rests upon black, which is one of Harlem's school colors. By establishing an ongoing dialog and partnership for the future, this project had and continues to have a profound effect on the students and staff of Ruth’s school and has made a real difference to the students at Hynes. Through the heartfelt efforts of teachers, staff members, and students, Ruth’s school was able to raise thousands of dollars to purchase and send classroom sets of novels, science equipment, dictionaries, encyclopedias, art supplies with lesson plans, school supplies, and other educational support materials. The accomplishment was even more impressive, considering that over 50% of the students at Harlem Middle School qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Needless to say, participation at the school far exceeded expectations.

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