By Ralph K. Spencer, D’Evelyn Education Foundation Board of Directors I wrote the following article for the Jaguar Tracks seven years ago and, upon recent reflection, decided to reprint it in this current edition of the Tracks. Why bother, you ask? I thought it would serve as a good reminder of what the Jamin Fund, a 501(c)(3) entity, has accomplished at D'Evelyn since its 2007 inception. The first Jamin B. Wilson Excellence in Education cash awards were presented to teachers Janet Shibly, Vocal Music, and Chris Baker, Social Studies, at the 2008 Senior Banquet. Over the last 12 years, $50,000 in cash awards have been presented to 20 D'Evelyn teachers, two Asst. Principals, and one Jr. High Counselor! Additionally, last year's Senior Banquet was the first year in which the $1,000 Jamin B. Wilson Life-Long Learner Memorial Scholarship was presented to graduating senior Marc Gagnon. Private donations by Jamin's friends and family over the years has ensured that a permanent source of funds will be available for both the Excellence in Education award for D'Evelyn community members and the Life-Long Learner Memorial Scholarship for D'Evelyn seniors. What a great tribute to an outstanding young man who was taken from us way too soon. It is said that out of great tragedy can come much good. I believe the Jamin Fund exemplifies this statement. Please take a moment to read the following 7-year old article and then stop in the Main Office at D'Evelyn and take a look at what I like to call A Touch of Class. I hope you enjoy it! Please take a moment to walk into D’Evelyn’s main office in the next few days, look 45 degrees to your right, and spend a minute or two admiring a new print (and an informative plaque) that adorns the north wall. This classy addition to the main office was the gift of Charlie Wilson, a member of the DEF Board of Directors, and the father of Jamin B. (J.B.) Wilson, a 1999 D’Evelyn graduate. J.B. took the original photograph of an elegant mountain skyline with some of his D’Evelyn buddies in Switzerland where he was serving as a 2LT in the U.S. Air Force. Following J.B.’s untimely 2006 death in a tragic automobile accident in Germany, artist/family friend/former D’Evelyn parent Renee Palmer-Jones rendered J.B.’s photo into a beautiful painting she named Jamin’s Vision. D’Evelyn Jr./Sr. High School has graciously accepted this print of the original painting from the Jamin Fund, a tax-exempt fund established in 2007 by J.B.’s family, in memory of their beloved son. Since the plaque was donated by yet another DEF Board member, the entire D’Evelyn community will be able to enjoy this beautiful “touch of class” for years to come at no expense to DEF or the school. Comments are closed.
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The D'Evelyn Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation. The Board of Directors oversees the finances, legal issues and long-term strategic plans of the organization Archives
May 2023
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