From the Youth Director...

Hello All,

             I thought for my first   article I would write about two things. First, I would like to hold a contest among all friends, whomever can think of and submit a more creative name for this monthly article than "Youth Director's Corner" will receive a complementary dinner with me at the General Denver. Secondly, I thought I'd introduce myself a little more thoroughly to those of you who don't already know me (Martha, Patty, Neil, and Michael, I'm sorry you had to know me in college).

The best place to begin this story seems to be the beginning (of course, you will get the abbreviated version, for those of you who want the whole thing please wait for my memior to be published). I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Loren and Sherry Stuckert (my father is a life-long Quaker, one can visit generations of our relatives out at Springfield Friends' Cemetery). I lived in Indiana up until the fourth grade, when our family moved to Bethel, Ohio in Clermont County. We moved to New Richmond and then to Wilmington my sophomore year of high school. My first exposure to this meeting happened around that time. Several of my classmates attended here as did a few of my relatives, and even a teacher(Good ole' Mr. Snarr). I was friends with Zach and Allison Deitz, the Oetzels and the Terrells. I ended up going to Wilmington College and majoring in Art, then psychology, and finally Education. I began my teaching career in Blanchester at Putman Elementary (teaching down the hall from Mary Ann Raizk). I moved on the following year to Lebanon where I taught 3rd and 4th Grade at Donovan Elementary for 4 years. I met and married my lovely wife Annen in the winter of 2005 (on Groundhog's Day) and we moved back up to Wilmington that year. I am now in my 2nd year here in Wilmington, teaching 3rd Grade Math. We had our daughter Alora in the fall of 2007.

If some of you haven't yet noticed, I 'm kind of in to playing music (okay, obsessed). I try to play as much as I possibly can in as many different styles and varieties as possible. A very dear friend and teacher from this meeting taught me Celtic Music, another has attempted to teach me piano, and others have turned me on to styles and genres of music that I would never have dreamed I'd like.  I enjoy teaching music just as much. I believe everyone is musical and can be a proficient player. I also enjoy drawing cartoons, writing, reading, learning and cooking (not neccesarily in that order).My main goal as Youth Director is to  be a guide on our childrens (and young adults') spiritual journey. I hope to help them cultivate their faith into a    pragmatic practice and a close relationship with God. I am very excited about working with   everyone in this meeting and look forward to sharing  good times with you.

Peace,

Rob