From the Outside Looking in...

From the Outside Looking in...

NEW OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL STUDENTS COMPARE BEREA TO THEIR HOMETOWNS



by: Ida Matilda Wright

Published in the Berea Citizen Newspaper

2/05/07



  I find myself in Berea Kentucky for the first time with a group of ladies from all over the Appalachian area. We are being the chance to better ourselves by attending the New Opportunity School for Women. Each of us have a different background; some have never been away from their families. This kind of hospitality and true compassion in the atmosphere is perfect for us to live and learn to become self sufficient and be what we are meant to be. The spirit I wanted to describe town as seen through our eyes. We are surprised by the differences between Berea and our hometowns. Knowing how I found my visit here, I also wanted to relay how the others of my class felt. I sought the opinions of my new friends from North Carolina, Versailles, Pikeville Kentucky, and Richard Virginia to give an impartial judgment.



    There were a few things that did not change from person to person. We all feel that Berea has the some of the nicest people that we ever come in contact with. One lady commented, “Anyone could fit right in here.” She concluded “a person can dress any way they want (poor or rich) without feeling like an outcast.”



    One of the memories that I will take home with me, is one of a little girl. I met here while being introduced to a Berea elementary school by my internship supervisor. She was eight years old and a very bright child. She announced to me that she was creating clay animals to sell at an art fair. The plan was to sell $100 to feed a horse that her parents said that she could have if she could care for it. The difference between my home town and the towns that I am familiar with is that children are a forgotten resource and are taken for granted. I don' t think that this entrepreneur will ever be taken for granted, even I (meeting her for the first time) sensed that she would be caring for her pet horse soon. In my experience, you don't often find that kind of dedication in most adults.



    Another thing that caught our attention, is how clean Berea is. This little town could set as an example to others. Some we being littered from corner to corner and lawn to lawn.  One woman commented that Berea is not tainted with houses that you would expect to meet Mr Fred Sanford having one of his attacks.  You know the ones, car parts scattered through high grass leading to an unpainted house. Oh, from what we observed there is no way people here would would know what I was describing in this article except through television or travel.



    I found this town to be very peaceful. I observed people walking the streets or going to their cars, and I did not see the stresses that I saw on the faces of those in my hometown. I felt the air of togetherness in both the town and on the campus.



    My friends like how helpful and happy the people are, how the town is centered on education, arts rule this place, and how people encourage each other with kindness.



    Though I tried to find anything that might need improving in Berea, I could not. So all that I could come up with, is that some of the streets.  When I describe them, I don't think it will not be a problem but part of Berea's charm. I step into the streets. They are so wavy that I almost expect them to carry me away. To me the dipping of the asphalt, was like the smooth ocean waves so many miles away.



    In closing, Berea is a place that we all would love to bring our families to share in the culture. As with the Boone Tavern's Hotel staff, down town hospitality, history, and great beauty; Bereans should be proud of who they are.



    Thank you Berea for the chance to get to know such a special place. A town with charm and encouragement for the next generation in all that they do. I hope to bring my children to visit again.