Looking at the calendar to see what’s ahead this month, my eyes spotted next Sunday, Aug. 7, as Friendship Day. Having never heard of or celebrated this special day, it was time to Google the event. Turns out it originated in the US in 1919 based on a recommendation by Hallmark cards that we all should commemorate friends and the bond of friendship on the first Sunday in August. Now we know – and special good wishes to all DNN friends!
Enough of that “nonsense,” it’s time to get back to Around Davidson. Today we visit with Daniel Wyatt and Alex Lee to hear about their soccer project, check in with Andrew Scales at DCPC and hear from Maryline Roux about success on the track.
Welcome to Andrew Scales
WELCOME ANDREW!
There is a new face on the corner of Concord and Main. The Davidson College Presbyterian Church (DCPC) has called Andrew Thompson Scales to be its new Youth and Campus Minister. (See July 19, 2011, “DCPC taps Andrew Scales to lead campus ministry.”)
Andrew was born in Indianapolis in 1985, the oldest of three boys of Richard and Christine Scales. His undergraduate degree is in history from Dartmouth College and he received his degree in ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in May. Andrew also was the 2011 recipient of the seminary’s Mathias Memorial Award in Worship and Pastoral Ministry.
Davidson is not entirely new to Andrew. He actually visited the campus while in high school and his great grandfather, Donald Thompson Rankin, graduated from Davidson College in 1909. Excited to have his first ordained call, Andrew started at DCPC mid-July and recently moved his belongings to a rental townhome at Davidson Commons. He loves to garden, is learning how to cook and loves the outdoors – especially hiking and canoeing. He hopes to become familiar with North Carolina BBQ and folk music since he is working to be well-versed in “Southern culture.”
No doubt we will soon be meeting his family when they come to check on this energetic young man and his new Davidson duties. His younger brother, William, just graduated from Washington University and is looking to apply to medical school. His youngest brother, Joseph, is a rising junior at Vanderbilt University. (This summer Joseph interned in Indiana Senator Richard Lugar’s Washington office. Don’t you know that was an interesting job considering all the wrangling over the debt ceiling!)
We are glad to have you in town, Andrew.
Maryline atop the podium celebrating with her team members after winning the 4x100 relay
Some months ago we reported on the “fast feet” of River Run resident Maryline Roux who competes in the 200m and 400m track events. (See Nov. 11, 2010, “Maryline Roux: A journey.”) Born in Vieux-Badien, Ivory Coast. Maryline’s website lists her hometown as Eaubonne, France, and her current residence in Davidson with her husband and sons. Maryline loves to run but also teaches yoga, works to coach youth in running programs and has a dream of representing her birth country in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. (For more, check out her new website www.marylineroux.me.)
Maryline has not always run track. She began track & field events at the age of 40 when she ran for France for a year. Now running for the United States, Maryline traveled to Sacramento, Calif., in July for the World Masters Championships. A tendon injury resulted in disappointing finishes in the 200 (11th place) and 400 (10th), but she was chosen to run the 4x100m relay in the 35-40 age group and the 4×400 relay in the 40-45 age group. (Maryline is now 44 years old but is allowed to compete in younger age groups.)
The good news is that the USA relay teams won both relays against a very competitive pool of international athletes so Maryline returned to Davidson with two gold medals representing two World Masters Champion titles. A happy end to an unhappy beginning. Congratulations to you, Maryline. (We hope that Ivory Coast will be able to gather enough athletes and sponsors to compete in the 2012 Olympics. Do keep us informed on your progress.)
Alex (l) and Daniel in Costa Rica during Spring Break
UNO por UNO
Daniel Wyatt and Alex Lee can tell you that “Uno por Uno” means “One by One” and that it is an opportunity to make a difference with youth, one by one, in Costa Rica. Daniel is the oldest child of James and Edna Wyatt of Avinger Lane in Davidson. Alex is the son of Mike and Kelli Lee of River Run and has two sisters. These young men are both rising 10th graders at Cannon School.
Traveling to Costa Rica, they have gotten to know Pastor Padilla who heads the Vuela de Aguila churches in San Jose, and ministers to some of the neediest in the toughest places in the city. Daniel has traveled to Costa Rica twice in the past 18 months. Alex joined him on one of the trips a few months ago during the school’s Spring Break. They plan to return to Costa Rica next spring with some funds and sports equipment to make a difference with young children and encourage a positive future through church and soccer. (See their website, www.onebyonecostarica.com)
Alex and Daniel meeting with a resident of San Jose about using this area for a soccer field
To learn more about this ambitious project (not school connected), the Wyatt and Lee families hosted an open house one evening last week for friends to hear about “One by One.” Alex and Daniel made a short presentation, showed a video and answered questions from the large group who were undoubtedly impressed with the project. Hats off to Alex and Daniel for their desire to help others less fortunate. Around Davidson will keep you posted on “Uno por Uno.”
Send us your news
Have news for Around Davidson? Write to Brenda Barger at hbarger@bellsouth.net.
