Mr. Jacobs Goes To Washington

Collin Tehorahkose Jacobs has been chosen to attend the Presidential Youth Inauguration (PYIC) in Washington D.C. on January 17-21, 2009. As a part of this conference he will be able to witness history as the 44th president of the United States takes his oath of office.

As you can imagine, it is quite costly to attend an event such as this and again it is the family and friends of Akwesasne that are coming through for Collin.

A cabbage roll dinner and Ace to King card game was held at the home of Collin’s Tota Carole LaFrance Ross on St. Regis Road. Organized by Judy Cole with help from Rosemary Bonaparte, Liz Sunday and Bernice Lazore, the elders came out for a great meal, great company and to support a boy they are all proud of. Card players included Jimmy Lazore, Dick Peters, Jake LaFrance, Dooley Thompson, Charlie Jacobs, Joyce Leaf, Lorraine George, Maggie Terrance, Phyllis Point, Annie McDonald, Jo Lazore, Valerie Garrow, Marilyn Tarbell and Linda Jackson. Together they raised over $300 to help Collin attend this conference.

Collin also sold World Series squares door to door hoping to earn more tuition money. Vicky Jacobs from Fort Covington was the $1,000 winner and another $900 was added to his cause, bringing him closer to his goal. With every conference, lecture or summer course that he is able to attend, he increases leadership skills he needs in order to become a great leader and help change the world. He has enough for the tuition, but still needs to raise more for the flights and other incidentals. He will be selling Superbowl Squares again in December and January.

Collin and his family would like to thank everyone who opened their doors, their wallets and their hearts to him. The words of encouragement and pride you gave he carries with him and he is most grateful to have this responsibility to honor his community by saying it is they who sent him and he will do his best to represent Akwesasne accordingly.

Collin, the oldest of Curtis and Suzy Jacobs, is a freshman at Massena High School and is currently maintaining a 96.2 GPA academically, played on the North Franklin’s undefeated soccer team, a member of the marching and concert band, men’s chorus and show ensemble, chess club and the robotics team.

If you would like to learn more about the Presidential Youth Inauguration Conference (PYIC) or the Congressional Youth Leadership Conference (CYLC), just check out their website at http://www.cylc.org for more information.