A SPECIAL Editor's message to VASFAA:

At 1:11 am from room 11 on 10/15/05, my first grandchild, Charles Anthony Spoales announced his presence to the world. Weighing in at 8 lbs 4 oz, and 20 3/4 inches, little Tony (my words so don't get me in trouble), finally arrived. Mom and Dad had been in the hospital since before 11 am or maybe earlier and the proud grandparents arrived just before 3 pm and got home around 2:35 AM. This is the best tired you can ever feel.

Since day one of Jeremy and Erin's union, the Schmoll and Spoales families have bonded as one and the legacy begins with the birth of the 2 families namesake Charles Anthony Spoales. We all waited together at the hospital and went to dinner together when it was clear that the wait was going to be long. Little did we ever guess how long.

Charles and Anthony are the names of Erin's and Jeremy's grandfathers and a fitting tribute to great men who molded wonderful and loving families. I couldn't be prouder than to be a part of little Tony's future. We got to see him around 2 am and the world melted away.

Speaking of the world, when I got home, I called my daughter Kristen in Brazil who had just met Rob Schneider. He is staying in the same house where Kristen is living right now in Salvador. She was beaming at 1:40 am her time and 2:40 our time over the news of her first nephew.

Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes. The best is yet to come.

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Welcome to the Fall issue of the VASFAA Voice – the first issue of the 0506. This issue focuses on Leadership Development. VASFAA is committed to continuing the Leadership Symposium program that it started last year. You will find information for your participation in the Committee Reports Section. In addition, the Nominations and Elections Committee is busy identifying candidates for VASFAA leadership positions. Tom Morehouse, our past president is leading this effort.

The Newsletter Committee is still seeking a willing participant from the Private Career School sector to join our committee. If you are interested, please contact me directly at 301-942-9525 or via my email address below.

Although we asked for feedback on school and vendor activities related to supporting Hurricane Katrina (followed by Rita), we only had a few members willing to share their stories. They are published in the newsletter for your information. We know that many of you were overwhelmed at the time this information was solicited. If you would be interested in submitting information for the next issue, please don’t hesitate to do so.

This issue includes a very special look at one of our long-time members. Her story is being published in 2 parts. Part 1 is included in this issue and Part 2 will follow in the Winter issue. If you have never met Liza Bruce, it is your loss. She has overcome more obstacles than most of us experience in our entire families.

The Newsletter team welcomes our newest members with articles. We hope you enjoy the contributions of Stephanie Clements and Tina Bergstrom. As always, it is a pleasure to have the continued support of Holly Rison, Tanya White and Linda Miller. The team’s newest adjunct member, our committee liaison to the board, is Angie Hawkins and we welcome her support.

The next issue of the newsletter is scheduled for publication on January 10th. Please send your input by December 15th to me at gary.a.spoales@bankofamerica.com.

Advertising is now a part of the Sponsorship program. Thank you once again to everyone who provided material for this newsletter. The entire association appreciates your efforts. As always, these issues contributors are listed at the end of the newsletter.

Article Guidelines
The Editorial staff will review all articles submitted for publication. Submissions should be of a professional interest to the association and not include marketing and/or advertising of products, services, websites or personnel.

Full articles should be no longer than two typed pages single spaced. It is requested that all submissions be provided in 10 pt size with Arial font type to save our publishing editor time and energy.

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(Note: Ads are only accepted from Sponsors who chose an ad in the issue of their choice, based on availability.)