by Intern on January 29, 2009
By Rosie E.
Family Seven is adjusting to change well. With the departure of Nanci Newcomb and the December graduates, the family has seen many obstacles in keeping it together.
Luckily, there are many members of the family who are stepping up. These students include Sophie W., Kate P., Henry W., Brendan O., Nick P., and Dave M.
Austin C., a senior member in Family Seven, commented, “We need to have courage, to tell people what we really think, and not to be afraid to stand up for what’s right.”
The new family leader, Dawn Possemato, has been doing a great job and is very close with the girls, said one Family Seven student. With the arrival of two new girls, Jen B., Sophie’s buddy, and Anais P., Claire’s buddy, the Family Seven girls have worked together to help each other through this time of adjustment.
“We’re all coming together and supporting Anais. And the three senior girls are really helping us,” said Jen B., who arrived to The Family Foundation School on December 22.
Beyond family relations, the Family Seven students have been getting involved in their surroundings with the start of the spring semester. Andrew D., Max L., and Nat L. all returned for another semester of chorus with Paul Geer. Evan P. and Sophie W. also decided to join in on the vocal fun.
Andrew, Max, Nat, Evan and Sophie were all accepted into Show Choir, the FFS singing and dancing troupe.
Henry W., Austin C. and Will M. made the boys’ basketball team and have been playing hard for the Falcons.
Austin also was accepted into journalism, where he has been diligently working for Chris Stein.
Dave M. received buddying and shadowing, and Sophie W. got her first buddy and junior sponsee, Jen B.
Lexi S. and Claire V. received the highly esteemed anchor pin.
Family Seven boys Max L. and Austin C. worked with Father Stephen and other FFS boys this holiday season building a snow altar to use in a special Catholic Mass, the Blessing of the Holy Water, on January 11.
The Family Seven students currently scheduled to leave this June are Nat L., Gianfranco V., Claire V., Lexi S., and Sophie W.
Nat, Gianfranco, Lexi, and Claire have all started the college application process and are pushing through the hardships of the last semester of senior year.
by Intern on January 28, 2009
By Jonathan H.
Tom “Woody” Wood and Christine Speicher, both highly respected family leaders at The Family Foundation School, have been dealing with many dramatic changes around Family Six.
Through all of these changes, the Family Six staff members have been working together to solve ongoing issues, instead of handling these matters individually.
Wood recently switched families, from Family Five to Family Six. “The family change is very exciting, but challenging at times,” Wood said. Family Six and Family Five’s rules and regulations are pretty much the same.
Speicher and the students are getting along very well. “They know my boundaries and my expectations. I believe in sharing my complete experience, strength, and hope with all of Family Six,” Speicher said. In addition, Wood said, “We seem to be getting along for the most part, but I am just starting to get to know each and every one of them.”
Speicher on the other hand, who has been involved with Family Six for quite some time, is known as the “stepmother” of Family Six. Now, hopefully, Woody will be known as the “Father” of Family Six.
The kids confidently greet Wood and Speicher by giving and treating them with the utmost respect that they both deserve. “We went from a friendly relationship, to a closer relationship as we lead Family Six to success.” Speicher said.
Family Six also has new students help. Some students have started to hold themselves and others more accountable. They have also received more responsibilities around Family Six. Among the students stepping up, are Andrew B., Alex B., Dylan S., Lavinia L. and Regina C. Hopefully, more students will follow in their footsteps.
There are a couple of new students to Family Six and to The Family Foundation School, who have arrived in the past few weeks. The students are Jordan B., Benjamin B., and Anthony V.
Family Six has also been going through a spectacular renovation. To help facilitate the changes, Family Six has been using Family Five’s old space. It is not convenient, but as Speicher explained, “dining in the old Family Five is like being in someone else’s home.” The new renovation is going to be a big change because the family is moving the dining room to the back of the family, where it was originally located.
Speicher said, “We are making the room more vibrant to brighten up the mood a little more.” Wood said, “The renovation is exciting and I am looking forward to being in the old family again.”
by Intern on January 27, 2009
By Jonathan H.
The notorious Family Five leaders Pete and Caren Jacques are working harder than ever around the Family Foundation School. The Jacques formed a knitting club called “the Shepard’s knitting circle”.
The point of the Shepard’s knitting circle is to supply comfort to the people who cannot afford clothing. “The knitting circle is good, but there are not as many students as we would like there to be,” replied the Jacques.
The Jacques’ fly fishing class is preparing for the upcoming fishing season, by learning more about fly fishing, and how to tie flies. Pete Jacques the central fly fishing guide along with his devoted wife and fly fishing assistant Caren Jacques. “Fly fishing has been slow, only because of the few weeks of tying flys,” the Jacques said.
Besides teaching fly fishing classes, taking part in the Shepard’s knitting circle for the needy; Pete Jacques is also teaching Science classes inside the middle school.
There are a few students in Family Five that who deserve some credit for starting to put one foot forward and taking charge inside Family Five. These students are Justin N., Sean C., and Karen S. who just received junior sponsoring. The individuals who have already received anchors are Meagan R., Heather G., Patrick M., and Christian H. “We are going through a rough time, but I know we can work through it”, said Christian H.
Max (Jacques) the infamous certified pet therapy dog, seems to be fulfilling his role in Family Five as the smile maker.” When he notices the kids coming in, he wiggles his butt,” the Jacques exclaim, “that’s where he got his name wiggle butt.”
Family Five seems to be doing spectacular since the recent change in families, and staff/student adjustments. “There are plenty of challenges”, Pete Jacques said as he thought about how well the new staff and students that are still adjusting are comingling.
by Intern on January 26, 2009
Rick W.
Class of December‘02
“I love it here, this is where my life changed,” said Rick W., a December ’02 graduate. Rick attended The Family Foundation School for two years and came back to visit. During his visit he watched the Winter Performance, ate lunch in his former family and caught up with staff members he knew.
Near his home in Northern Virginia, he is employed by a medical supply company. In his spare time Rick plays soccer a few times a week for fun with a bunch of other adults interested in soccer. He also “does everything that every person does, just sober,” like shooting pool and playing video games. He attends AA meetings regularly and has a sponsor. “Getting and staying sober isn’t easy at a young age because everyone your age expects you to drink and party,” he said.
Rick feels it is “a lot easier to carry principles around people who have them.” While being in the program he has found that in AA everyone has different principles, but they have the same goal, which is to stay sober.
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