FLITE Newsletter                                                              May  2017








Clearing a Path for Students to Achieve their Dreams- 
Happy 10th Anniversary to FLITE.

On a spring evening at the historic St. Peter's Church In The Great Valley, Malvern, FLITE Board Members, volunteers, and supporters gathered to officially celebrate FLITE's ten-year anniversary. The focus of the evening was to honor each founding member of our Board of Trustees, thank supporters and enjoy a fun adult social catered by local businesses who support FLITE's mission.
 
Many success stories were shared. The program portion of the evening included remarks from FLITE founder and current trustee Tom Colman of Wayne, Tredyffrin/Easttown School District Curriculum Supervisor and FLITE Advisory Board member Oscar Torres, and Ibrahim Souadda, Conestoga High School alumnus and Temple University senior. Dr. Richard Gusick, Superintendent Tredyffrin/Easttown School District, presented a commemorative plaque dedicated to all FLITE founding board members. 
 
A heartfelt thank you goes to the Anniversary planning committee: Mary Guyer, Vijay Aggarwal, Chris Caine, Kim Cuthbert, Stacey Pellegrini, and Barb Weiner. We also want to acknowledge all FLITE volunteers who have worked so hard during the past ten years to help students in the T/E School District. An amazing night was had by all. Everyone left the event inspired by the stories we heard and recommitted to FLITE's mission: FLITE funds programs to help ensure that all students in the T/E schools, especially those who face barriers to their educational success, have the academic tools, opportunities and support they need to succeed in school.


Left to right front row: Tom Colman, Julie Ferguson, Dean Henry, Pat Berry Wright, Sandi Gorman, Sheilah Vance. Back row: Dennis McAndrews, Mike Heaberg, John Beatty, Ken Hill, Reverend Dick Streeter, Kathy Lieb, J.R. Burke, Hank Lloyd. Members of the Founding Board of Trustees not pictured: Ed Antoian, Jean Faber, Judy DiSerafino Huey, Jerry McTear, Stella Niccolo, Bob Priem, Erin Shine, Joy Tartar, Perry Teillon, Dan Waters, Stodie Watts and John Zeller.


A video about FLITE premiered at our Anniversary Gala. View it here:

FLITE video
FLITE video


Remarks shared at our 10th Anniversary Celebration Gala Presentation....

Tom Colman gave a brief overview of the history of FLITE. In 2006, TESD budgets were in tough shape. The economy and property values were declining and unemployment was rising. Tom  learned that there were students in the District who were struggling to compete academically. There were individuals who would step up to help a student who needed a notebook, pencils or a calculator, but there  was no mechanism in place to accept donations to help solve this widespread problem. Tom gathered a dedicated group of exceptional individuals who were willing to take on the problem and find a way to fix it. An education foundation was conceived and FLITE was launched. As envisioned, FLITE-funded programs provide students with hope, belief in themselves and their potential, and encouragement to reach their dreams.

Dr. Oscar Torres described a day in the life of a FLITE student. He guided us to envision what it is like to get on a school bus and compare yourself to other students in a community where there is a disparity of experiences. He referenced FLITE programs that have helped level the playing field in the classroom and have given students enrolled in FLITE-funded programs opportunities to discover their potential. Oscar shared quotes from students and their parents. He observed, "when the cards are stacked against you because of your circumstances, you learn to dream big even though you know some of those dreams won't come true....The challenge is to make sure the barriers, no matter how many, are lowered or taken away so you can still see the possibilities of achieving some of those dreams". He reinforced for all of us that FLITE can make a difference in the life of a student.  

Ibrahim Souadda thanked FLITE for the support he received. While at Conestoga, Ibrahim participated in the After School Homework Program and Summer Learning Opportunity, Spark the Wave. He said Homework Club helped him to complete his homework, and this allowed him time to find his passion. Because a Conestoga Guidance Counselor recognized his talent and commitment, Ibrahim was the first student to attend Spark the Wave. This experience introduced him to his mentor and before long, Ibrahim was working alongside Villanova students in a teaching capacity while still in high school. He is an incredibly well spoken young man who is traveling the world to pursue his passion in film. He gave credit to his family and his teachers for giving him an opportunity to accomplish more than his wildest dreams. There is no doubt this young man will continue to accomplish great things and FLITE was an integral part of making his dream a reality. 

10th Anniversary Gala Photos

FLITE 10th Anniversary Gala
FLITE 10th Anniversary Gala

10th Anniversary Gala Sponsors 
Premier Sponsors


Silver Sponsors
Market Street Wealth

Bronze Sponsors
Dr. Linda Himmelberger of Devon Dental Services

Business and Organization Supporters
Aneu Catering
Conestoga High School FLITE Club
Jason Collier Music
La Cabra Brewing
Mario's Pizza
MPS Communication Graphics, Inc.
Mr. Bottle Beverage
Party Shop of Berwyn, Ltd.
Pour Richards Coffee Company
Sassano's Catering
Scoops 'N' Smiles Ice Cream
Stacey Ballard Floral Design
St. Peter's Church In The Great Valley with Gail Malcolm
Sweet Jazmines Pastry Shop

Handmade Ceramic Cell Phone Holder Sale!

$5.00 per Phone Holder
All proceeds will go towards FLITE.
                                           

Visit the Fundraiser for FLITE table before the final Spring Concert @ TEMS (evening performance - 5/11, 6:15 pm onwards). 

Cell phone holders created by TEMS Art Club 

STAY CONNECTED:

FLITE is an IRS-recognized non-profit organization. The official registration and financial information of the Foundation for Learning In Tredyffrin/Easttown may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.  Due to restrictions on solicitations by non-profit corporations, this solicitation is directed towards residents of Pennsylvania only.