From Maria’s Desk – October 2021

Dear OVV Friends and Family,

It’s now officially fall, and that means we’re on the brink of another holiday season. Before we know it, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas will have come and gone. And then it will be 2022.

But before we get swept up in the holiday whirlwind, let’s pause to savor autumn and all it has to offer. My favorite part of this season is witnessing the excitement of the kids in our program. Whether they’re carving pumpkins, jumping in leaves, or learning about the beauty of fall and its many colors, the children of OVV are a joy to be around this time of year. Their festive spirit is palpable—and contagious!

This month’s spotlight subjects are emblematic of that very same joyous, childlike excitement. Take, for instance, Landon Hrovat, a 18-month-year old who has just transitioned from our Parent-Infant Program into our Toddler Program. Despite his hearing loss, Landon is a bright, cheerful, and curious little boy. In the words of his mothers, Alex and Jen, “He is very determined and loves being independent!”

Or take Julie Sill, a former Ohio Valley Voices employee who is now studying to get her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Early Childhood Education. During her tenure at OVV, Julie happily commuted two hours per day to our Loveland campus for the simple reason that she loves helping students learn and grow. Since relocating to Virginia, she has directed that same passion toward her doctoral research and other pursuits, including creating an oral education program from scratch at her local public school.

If there’s one thing that Landon and Julie’s stories demonstrate, it’s that both halves of OVV’s program—students and teachers alike—are driven by a zeal for learning and life. Now that’s contagious.

Stay excited and have a fun, safe, and happy Halloween!

Maria

This letter from Maria was originally featured in our October Newsletter. You can read the entire newsletter and become a subscriber by clicking here.

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