Pleasant Valley News
By Lisa V. Proulx
It’s always great to hear about students doing good things, and Pleasant Valley is full of kids making a difference in the lives of others.
One 10th grade student at Boonsboro High School is Sophomore Jamie Shoemaker from Rohrersville. I had the pleasure of meeting this exceptional young lady when I was a 5th-grade tutor at Pleasant Valley Elementary School and she was in the class. She was polite, intelligent, and had a way about her that said she would do great things one day. She was a leader. Jamie is still making a difference in the world with her love and light. I knew then, she was an amazing force and that she would do wonderful things in this world.
After graduation, she plans to pursue Mortuary Science and further her education with studies in Forensic Science.
Jamie is on a mission to “Stomp Out Blood Cancer” and her Team Shoemaker is off to an impressive start!
“Before being nominated for this campaign, I had no connection to blood cancers like Leukemia or Lymphoma, however, these past several weeks have opened my eyes to what blood cancer is and who it affects the most. Children. Childhood Leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children and teens. Kids my age. I am passionate and dedicated to giving my time and effort to this worthy cause. Please help me spread awareness about this horrible disease and give these children back their childhood.”
Her mission: “I encourage you to join me in supporting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) by donating to my fundraising campaign. By donating to LLS, you support the many facets of LLS’s mission work from investing in groundbreaking research, providing education and support to patients, and advocating at the state and federal level for legislation to help those living with cancer. I cannot overstate my appreciation for your support — every dollar donated to LLS brings us closer to our goal to end blood cancer and makes an impact for cancer patients and their families.
JAMIE SHOEMAKER
As a global leader in the fight to end cancer, LLS is committed to doing more for blood cancer patients and families than any organization in the world. LLS’s signature fundraising campaigns drive critical support for its mission, including a nearly $1.3 billion investment in cutting edge cancer research worldwide since it was founded in 1949. Since the 1960s, survival rates for many blood cancer patients have doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled.
Every facet of LLS’s mission–research, education and support, and policy and advocacy–work in harmony to put blood cancer patients and their families first. LLS has helped millions affected by cancer throughout its over 70-year history, even funding breakthrough blood cancer research to advance lifesaving treatments and cures that are now helping patients with other cancers and diseases. That is why at LLS they say that beating cancer is in their blood.
Please visit my website as often as you can and share it with everyone you know who would also like to join us in the fight against cancer. Together, we have the power, the passion, and the resolve to achieve a world without blood cancer. All donations are tax-deductible.
“On behalf of cancer patients and their families everywhere, I sincerely thank you for your support!”
Jamie would also like to thank her parents James and Patricia Shoemaker who “support me and encourage me all the way with whatever I do,” and younger brother Jackson who “always keeps me laughing.”
She also adds, “I’m so thankful for the Boonsboro community for coming together and supporting my team and me. A big shout out to The Nora Robert’s Foundation, American Legion Post 10, and Dan’s Restaurant and Tap House for your support. Cancer and its research doesn’t stop just because we are in a pandemic. I appreciate everyone who has contributed and/or donated to this worthy cause.”
Jamie’s motto is, “In a world full of hate, be a light”, and this young lady is living up to that motto.
The campaign runs from January 15 through March 6. Please donate today and help Team Shoemaker fight for a cure for all blood cancers. https://events.lls.org/md/MDSoY21/jshoemaker
For more information about LLS, please visit lls.org
School News
The Pleasant Valley Elementary School PTA is looking for new members. The PTA is an important part of the school by addressing issues that are important to parents and public school administrators. They fight for full funding, quality teachers, and capabilities for schools to thrive. PVES PTA holds events, helps with the Food Pantry, and provides reimbursements for teachers. Please contact the school at (301) 766-8297 for more information or to volunteer.
The recent death of long-time resident Janice Frye has saddened the Valley. She was known throughout Pleasant Valley as a kind and generous woman with a smile for everyone. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Obit: Janice Marie Frye | Douglas Fiery Funeral Home
Congratulations to Lisa V. Proulx of Pleasant Valley, who was asked to be a judge for The Page Turner Book Awards held in London, England. This year, because of COVID-19 travel bans, the event will be virtual, but she is still “over the moon excited.” One of her co-judges is Paul Michael Glaser, Starsky from Starsky and Hutch. Lisa grew up in the Valley, moving here with her family from Wheaton in 1968. She followed her childhood dream of being an author and is now involved with writing and speaking events all over the world. “I’m incredibly grateful and blessed.”
Lisa V. Proulx
