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My name is Debby Jewell and I am one of the founders of the Duxbury Student Union. I went to Duxbury High School many years ago. I remember having a few very special adult mentors in my life then who really got me through some rough teenage years. I don't think I would be the person that I grew up to be if those caring adults were not in my life at a critical, pivital time. Two of those mentors were youth ministers that ran a small "teen center" in the old town hall, Tarklin building and some of the churches in town. We didn't have a permanent place then, but these guys somehow found a space and engaged alot of young people in fun , soul-searching, life-changing activities. When I moved back to Duxbury in 2000 with my own family, I was a little sad to see that there still was no permanent place for kids to get together outside of school for that essential down-time, outside of the box social engagement. I really think a lot of learning happens when kids and great mentors are able to get together and create....create dreams, create music, share interests, frustrations, fears, share stories...share Life.
I guess one of my dreams is the DSU. I guess for me, helping the DSU succeed is my way of thanking those high school friends and incredible adult role models that stood by me, and at times, held me up, so I could succeed. The DSU could be the place that fosters relationships like that for every kid that walks through the doors.
I wish everyone could see what I dream for the DSU. The DSU, as I see it, has limitless potential to change and charge our kids and our community, one child at a time. The DSU could be the center of our school campus...that's why we called it the Student Union. Like the Student Union on your college campus it is the place to go to grab something to eat, to meet with a study group, take a yoga class, join a club or invent a club, play at a coffeehouse, meet up with old friends or make new friends. I see the DSU as a bridge from school to community...a place where students can apply school lessons to life lessons..a place kids connect, kids create, kids call their own.
I am so grateful for all the dear dedicated friends that have worked alongside me all these years to make the DSU a reality. It has indeed been our labor of love! Each member of my family has been invested in this project as well. My daughter Molly began helping in eighth grade. She recruited for coffeehouses and dances in high school and spoke at Town Meeting. She is now a junior in college and organized an outdoor concert last summer on the High School football field. My son Billy now organizes the Coffehouses and recruits the bands at the high school. My husband Bob has served for the past two years as Board President. He and I run the Entrepreneur Program and the Blender Cafe.
Thank you for reading my story and I hope my words have inspired excitement and even more dreams for the DSU.
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