The first day of school has always been my very favorite day. Seriously, throughout my time in school, as a kid to becoming a high school counselor, it has consistently been my favorite day of the year. The day brings such excitement and hope for a fresh start. There is a feeling in the air that truly anything is possible. I worried when I left the school setting, that I would no longer have that "first day" feeling anymore. However, I couldn't have been more wrong.
This year we held our second Scholarship Reception, and I have now found my new favorite day of the year. It is similar to the first day of school in so many ways. There is a level of excitement in the air for what is to come that is also met with the opportunity to build community with those that will cheer you on. I think that's why the first day of school, and now the reception, was always my favorite day. It was a day that reinforced the community you have cheering you on. As a student and professional, the school provided a "home" full of individuals who would cheer me on when I was excelling and also pick me up when I was down & push me to continue. They were my safety net. That is what we hope to provide at the CFMT through our Scholarship Program. The reception is just the introduction to a community of donors, volunteers, staff members and other recipients who are there for one another - to cheer everyone on, be there when students need help and to be that constant form of support.
At the CFMT, we believe that we have an obligation not to just be transactional with our awards but transformative in the funds we award students. This starts with events like the reception where we get to introduce the community of support to our recipients. We consider it an honor to be able to cheer on our recipients throughout their educational journey. I'm looking forward to next year's event already but thrilled about the opportunity to further develop this community as the school year begins.
