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Show ' 'I - .'$r 01 ti " Mm K ' :, iiiiiiil,Wi.n.ki ji s'. r--; mrn I ) L& qil. UINTAH BASIN STANDARD. November 27. 2001- - Pace 15 "A Minute for 1 Brf JoAnt fibbtfr tfatadthn By JoAnn Hibbert Hamilton 1 Parents" I have a hero. He is fourteen years old. I learned about him from a newspaper article that was titled, Life with no legs is no big deal to kid behind home plate." I have known about him only from a newspaper article, Deseret News, May 16, 1998, p. E8, until I had the privilege to meet him personally last week. His name is Kacey McCallister. Kacey was only six, when five days before Christmas, the family was crossing the street in front of his grandmothers house, and he did not hear his parents warning. The boy paused and then went on and was truck's swept up in the semi-trailswirling wheels. He should have bled to death, but his father, Bemie, held the boy in his arms and prayed that the child would live. Kacey remembers nothing but a a blur of white and the wind from the helicopter, which whisked him to a hospital in Salt Lake City. One leg was severed above the hip, the other six inches below it (Ibid.) The article, written .about him when he was eleven, pictures him with his friends where they were apparently playing baseball. It stated, He just scoots around the bases and joined hia friends. Hia beat friend, Chris Nelson, stated that Kacey always thought of other people and always stuck with what he was doing. I was at BYU Idaho, scheduled to speak for the Especially For Youth program. As I watched hundreds of youth enter a room, the moment I saw that wheelchair, that curly red hair, and a nice lookingyoung man, I thought it was Kacey. I soon heard about him from other participants. You see, he had entered the dance competition and had done so very well. He had the admiration of everyone. I had the chance to talk to Kacey for a minute a couple of times. Yes, hes planning on serving a mission for his dhurch in the fixture and he wants college. I watched as he so deflfy maneuvered around getting his cafeteria food. Hes still my hero. And two other heroes in my life are people I have never met. They are Kacey 's parents, who managed a in a marvelous way, obviously helping a young man discover what he.could do rather than pointing out what he could not do. May we all follow their example. (JoAnn Hamilton is the president of the Ubih American Mothers, Inc.) Story Ideas ? See a story? See if in Prinfl Call us 722-513- 1 er NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES The 3rd grade students in Gloria Jones class of Myton Elementary enjoyed a special Native American presentation on the Ute Indians by Wilford Conetah. He showed items used for their ceremonial dress. This was part of their Native American unit. Pictured with Conetah are left to right Anthony Chavez and Albert Silva. the basketball court, his arms and shoulders driving his legless torso in a determined effort not to be left out of the games he loves. To this freckle-face- d with red hair and an engaging smile, life with no legs is no big deal. (Ibid.) He doesnt see himself as disabled. He just wants to be one ofthe guys. In the article he stated, I realised there was nothing I could do to change (my situation) unless they come out with something that can grow legs . . . I just go with what I have. And he goes and he goes and goes. As a had just wrapped up his basketball season and begun his fifth year in Little League. Each morning he got up at 5 a.m. to deliver newspapers from his wheelchair. Then he was off to school. When asked what advice he would give another kid who lost his legs he said, Id just say, Don't let anything get you down. . . Just play and have fun. Dont let anybody tell you (that sixth-grad- Art Taylor and Duchesne County Sheriff Ralph Stansfield instruct Duchesne Elementary FLAG ETIQUETTE students on the proper way to fold the flag. The two men also spoke about heroes and respect for the Dug. er you) cant do anything. Just say, I can. (Ibid.) Once he took a ten-mitrip on d his bicycle, pedaling with his arms, then played a basketball game. He didnt like playing wheelchair basketball with mostly adults, so instead he pushed with one arm, dribbled with the other and le FIRE SAFETY LESSON Mary Perkins T grade, Gloria Jones 3rd grade of Myton Elementary and Jackie Lund, Sandy McKee and Shelly Winn's Special Education Classes of Con Amore received instruction on fire safety. They learned about the fire fighters gear and fire truck. They were encouraged to make a home plan and practice it. Students received packets with coloring books, rulers, pencils, bookmarks and hats with fire safety messages on diem from Ed and Tammy Freston of the t Myton City Volunteer Fire Dept. Pictured left to right are Albert Silva, Jacy Engavo and Ed Freston in back. fire-esca- pe three-wheele- lauds passing of Aviation Security Bill AAA AAA Utah commends Congress and the president for approving major airline security legislation that strengthens the nations airport and ht security measures. AAA has strongly supported legis- The third grade students from Gloria Jones class at Myton READ ON Elementary enjoyed listening to stories from local people for National Childrens Book Week. Pictured is Marge Seybert reading The Christmas Crocodile by Bonny Becker. Other story tellers were Carla Richens, Celia Richens, Lori Evans and Bird Stone. lation to reform the nations aviation security systems and early last month called on Congress to address airport security issues as soon as possible. We are happy to see the federal government accepting additional responsibility for the safety of air passengers, said AAA Utah spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough. This legislation should go a long way in restoring the publics confidence in Americas aviation system, said Fairclough. This is exactly what Americans need to help them resume their normal travel patterns. AAA believes that putting more federal air marshals on flights, reinforcing cockpit doors and making more money available for high-tec- h screening equipment to detect explosive and chemical materials are key elements of the new law. A recent survey by AAA showed that 59 percent of travelers would pay an additional charge on each ticket, such as the $5 per trip maximum fee to be assessed for better security. airport and With the upcoming holiday travel season upon us, travelers need to know tiiat airline security is a national priority, said Fairclough. ht Financial Preparedness Seminar The big John Deere machines are built to work hard, but these scale models are just for fun. Kids will love 'em.... and so will you! December 5th, Roosevelt, USU Building December 6th, Vernal, USU Building 7:00 p.m. die-ca- st Do you have income tax questions? Are you prepared to take all the deductions you are entitled to? Do you have investment questions? Would you like to start investing now and planning for your future? Would you like help in getting your finances under control, getting out of debt, and paying off your home sooner? If you died today would your family be out on the street tomorrow? jary I i West Hwy. 40 - Roosevelt, Utah 722-367- 1 Find out the answers to these and many other important financial questions! Class size is limited so call today to reserxe your scat! Mark Hickcn, CPA 20PY 722-381- 0 -8- OR 9 B 00-535-BIG o) if |