Jacob Marquis

To the editor:I would like to take this opportunity to first announce that, thanks to everyone's contributions, I have met my goal of being able to join my fellow delegates with People to People in Australia this summer. Without the care and generosity of neighbors, friends, family, community members, organizations and businesses throughout Mount Washington Valley, I could not have imagined this trip of a lifetime happening. I am thrilled beyond belief that I'm really going! Most importantly, I would like to thank my parents (Waneeta and Franz) for supporting me in every aspect to reach this goal. Without question, I also would like to thank WMWV 93.5 and Mark Johnson for giving me the opportunity to get the word out, by speaking on its Drive Time program. A thank you of the biggest magnitude goes out to Susan Logan, a friend and neighbor in my hometown of Chatham. She put the fund raising into overdrive, when it was needed most. She did press releases through The Conway Daily Sun, The Mountain Ear and The Bridgeton News and contacted silent auction contributors. She made the Kids with Talent night at Molly Ockett happen and one to remember forever. She also contacted Tom Eastman of The Mountain Ear, who did a great job as the events master of ceremonies. Thank you Tom also for your fantastic article and pictures about the event, which raised $1,000 and even more after the article came out. A huge thank you goes out to the anonymous donor who put together the full-page announcement in The Mountain Ear leading up to the event. I was presented with a laminated addition of the page with signatures of the children who performed, making it a lasting memory. Thank yous go out to all the local businesses who participated in the raffle and the silent auction: As You Like It, 1785 Inn, Brass Heart Inn, Conway Scenic Railroad, Snow Village Inn, Great Glen Trails, Heritage New Hampshire, Leavitts Bakery, Mount Washington Auto Road, Story Land, Rick Spencer of the Gibson Center and a special thanks to Mark and Maria Donaldson, owners of Darby Field Inn (where my mom works) for all their support and contributions. A special thank you is in order for the Rev. Ken Turley of Fryeburg, who helped orchestrate and video tape Kids with Talent and was very supportive in my quest to go to Australia. Thank yous also go out to Neal Nutting and Ann Condello, who volunteered their time to accompany the students who performed. It goes without saying that a tremendous thank you goes out to all the talented adults and students who performed that night. They deserve it, because they were there for me and put on one heck of a show! An extra thanks to the band Jester for donating its time and live gig time auction proceeds to me. You guys rock! There were many contributors both large and small and every bit was received with gratitude. Thank yous go out to these local organizations that stepped up to the plate on my behalf: Bushee Thorn Mountain Trust, Fryeburg Rotary, Fryeburg Lions Club, Fryeburg Academy Teachers Association, Ted Wroblewski of White Mountain Puzzles, George and Victoria Murphy of Brookhurst Farms in Snowville, John Lyons of Mountain Vale Reality, the teachers and staff of New Suncook Elementary School and all the great people at Center of Hope (where my dad works). A big thanks to all those who purchased desserts or Crocs through Joann Farnham, or my mom or dad, that helped to raise spending money while I'm in Australia. The total trip expense will be in access of $6,000 and without the loving contributions of my grandparents, Mary Daniels of Exeter, George (Busta) and Rita Marquis of Danvers, Mass. and my aunt Tina Kirsimae, from Long Island, N.Y. I could not have reached my goal. Thank you everyone again for all your help and community spirit. Rest assured, I'll be telling you all about it when I get back.