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Welcome Back from Pat & Renee Fraley
Welcome to FUMA - Take heart we have all been new parents!
For those parents who do not know us, we are Pat and Renee Fraley of Studio City, CA. Pat and I have four sons and we have served as the FUMA Parents Association Chairs for over 3 years. Three of our sons have attended FUMA. Our youngest, Ford Fraley attended the Middle School last year and starts his first year as an Upper School cadet this week. Our second born, Harrison, graduated this past May and is about to begin college at Savannah School of Art and Design with a partial scholarship.
Harrison's career at FUMA began here in the Middle School – half way through 8th grade. He was a very reluctant cadet. As Pat puts it, "He volunteered to go to FUMA. You could tell by the splinters under his finger nails from holding on to his bed at home." Harrison’s first month at school he wrote home and stated:
Dear Mom and Dad,
You have made a big mistake. You don't know what you've done!
Well, his grades improved drastically. He grew much in character and in his relationship with God, and his fellow cadets. He thanked us at graduation for hanging in there and putting up with him. I was nearly in tears as he confessed that without his FUMA experience he would have never learned to persevere in studies, sports and achieve his goals of attending Art School.
Take heart - we will all drive out the gates today. Just remember our sons are in very good hands, and in the Hand of a formidable Lord, who is up to the task of setting these young men on a course of growth, integrity and academic excellence.
A quick cure to start you thinking in the right direction will come to those of us who ache at leaving our sons as we leave. Ask yourself, what would my son be doing right now if he were home? Know that you are not sending your son away, but you are providing a profound opportunity in these times when discipline is hard to come by.
As the Parent Chairs, we encourage you to join the FUMA Parents Association. Your $50 dues is an important weay of supporting the investment you have made at FUMA. This year we are raising money to replace the aging speaker system in the Chapel and provide scholarship opportunities for worthy cadets returning next year. Unlike traditional Parent Associations, we do not have a host of fundraising events - your dues in and of itself raises funds. The Spaghetti Dinner on October 21st during Parents Weekend is a way for you to meet other parents and also meet faculty and staff. One of the highlights of the weekend is our son's first dress parade on the lower field. Apart for the Spaghetti dinner, there will be a Silent Auction in the spring. Last year was very successful in it was the first time cadet companies participated in donations for the Auction. More information will be sent to you in the future and plan on supporting the school for this very popular event. Any questions regarding assisting the Parents Association can be addressed to myself or the Development Office at FUMA. I would be happy to answer any personal or mom questions that come up. The boys will do well and welcome back.
Posted by Elizabeth Liles, Tuesday, August 30, 2005 12:39 PM
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