Pay It Forward

Written by SRA Student

On 11/17/11 ( a Thursday) I was called into a room with 9 other girls. We were then told that in less than five days (the coming Monday) we needed to be prepared to dance, sing, and speak at an assembly that would be honoring Les and Virginia Kyllo, the couple who sold Jeannie Courtney the property that would become SRA. Les had recently passed away, so Virginia would be attending without him, but many of her family members would be coming to celebrate her and her huge heart. Once we had been given the assignment, we got to work. We were all incredibly excited and honored that we had been chosen and trusted to accomplish the task. Within the next few days I wrote and practiced a song with another student, practiced reading a letter I wanted to share, and learned a dance two of the other girls had choreographed. Every girl in the group worked hard to make the ceremony as special as possible. By the time Monday rolled around we all felt prepared and excited. The assembly went by without a hitch. There were so many people who stood up to thank Virginia, but she would not let herself be the only one recognized. She talked about Jeannie and how much she had done for us girls. I’m incredibly thankful to have been a part of the assembly, but even more so, I’m thankful to have met Virginia Kyllo, who is truly a giving person.