Community support makes Head Start work

Head Start has always had a special place in my heart, and to see the community I’ve always loved stand behind the preschool makes me so proud to be a Greene Countian.

If I were a hugger, I probably would hug Rob Turpin and his comrades who have undertaken a large project to ensure the little children have the best amenities needed for a quality start to their education. Turpin learned Head Start needed a back-up solution to help address the foundation issues and he acted.

The second Head Start location in Linton is currently under construction next to Jo Etta’s Pizza Villa.

My education started within the four walls of the Head Start in Linton. I have some very vivid memories from my preschool days. I remember Miss Connie and Miss Brenda, and the playground.

I remember reciting, “If you can’t go over it, you can’t go through it, then you have to go around it.”

But, most importantly, I remember sitting in a circle in the back of the classroom while someone read us a book. I was 5 years old, and that is the most vivid of my memories. While that was a long time ago, I’m almost certain sitting in the circle hearing fairy tales fostered my love for books.

My love for books and words, led me to start writing. And now, 23 years later, I’m the editor of the newspaper in the county I love, close to the people I love.

How is it that Head Start got me to this point in my life? Without the Head Start program, which is federally funded, I would not have gotten a preschool education because I came from a low-income household. I would not have sat in that classroom and heard stories told by my teachers and volunteers.

Who’s to say my love of books MAYBE could have come in to play later? Luckily, I’ll never have to figure that out.

Head Start is invested in its students. When my byline first showed up in the Greene County Daily World, Miss Connie -- whose classroom I sat in almost two decades prior -- called me to tell me how proud she was. Earlier this year when Head Start leaders learned I was a former Head Start student, they recognized me during their annual banquet with the Self-Reliance Award.

I was always the awkward, shy kid with yard sale clothes who stood a head above the rest of the kids. But, with Head Start, I was Sabrina -- a smart kid with potential.

So, thank you to everyone who takes the time (and uses their resources) to ensure Head Start keeps moving in the right direction. Because, if it were not for them, I may not be sitting in this chair right now with my own office and a rockstar staff.