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| Middlesex Rotary Club president Burt Alexander (right) presents the Pride of Middlesex award to Jacob’s Ladder founders Aubrey Hall and his wife Margie. Joining them is Olivia Becker (left), the very first “climber” chosen to participate in the Jacob’s Ladder program. (Photo by Tom Chillemi) |
by Tom Chillemi
It’s not often that the commitment to helping others results in people being called “prophets.” But that’s how Bob Phipps, former headmaster of Christchurch School, referred to Aubrey and Margie Hall, founders of the non-profit Jacob’s Ladder student enrichment program.
The Halls were honored for their dedication to youth by the Rotary Club of Middlesex during its annual Pride of Middlesex ceremony Saturday night.
Jacob’s Ladder helps gifted children whose life situations make it difficult for them to succeed. Jacob’s Ladder is a year-around, highly-structured academic and life-skill mentoring program that includes a summer residential program for its young participants, who are known as “climbers.”
Phipps told the audience gathered in the Christchurch School dining room that in 1991 Aubrey came back from a mission trip to the Eastern Shore energized after he met bright children of migrant workers. Knowing the children had little chance of breaking away from their bleak situation, Aubrey and Margie approached Phipps, who happily allowed the Halls to use Christchurch School during the summer for the program that would evolve into Jacob’s Ladder.
Phipps said when he and his wife were moving back to Texas he told the Halls, “We envy how you get to spend your life.”
At Saturday’s ceremony, Phipps added, “I don’t envy their successors, because it is exceedingly difficult to pick up the mantle of a prophet who has left the scene.”
Jo Anne Ruffa, a retired teacher who was one of the first Jacob’s Ladder counselors, said the summer enrichment programs “are like magic . . . it makes learning fun” and helps the kids bond and create supportive families.
Ruffa summed up the Halls’ formula for success as “potential plus opportunity equals success.” The Halls identify potential in the children and provide as many opportunities as they can, she said.
On behalf of the Jacob’s Ladder staff, Ruffa said, “I thank you for believing in us. Twenty years ago you planted some seed, you’ve seen many fruits of your labor, you’ve persevered, you’ve never given up, and I want you to know the best may be yet to come.”
The next speaker was Olivia Becker, the very first person chosen to participate in the Jacob’s Ladder program. That was in 1992. Today, she is a member of the program’s board of directors.
Becker gave a personal tribute to the Halls and Jacob’s Ladder. “To me, the benefits and experience of Jacob’s Ladder cannot be separated from the virtues of its creators,” said Becker. “They saw a raw need in the lives of certain children. And, while so many could recognize this need, they actually set out to do something about it. They put Jacob’s Ladder together rung by rung and they created something extraordinary.
“I for one cannot even imagine what my life would look like if it had not been for Jacob’s Ladder,” said Becker.
Becker told the audience that “even in the birth year of Jacob’s Ladder, we learned the lessons reflected in the characteristics of its creators. We learned that we should be kind and generous of spirit. We learned to develop life skills that would help us grow, such as patience, diligence and determination. We learned to set goals and become motivated. We learned we had potential and therefore we had responsibility to ourselves and to our community. And most important, we learned to have spirits of hope and to live with faith and to look to our futures with excitement and positive expectations.”
In the 20 years she has known the Halls, Becker said “they have been remarkable role models. The depth of their generosity and kindness has touched so many.”
Becker said even when she was not at camp, what the Halls expected of her kept her on the right path in times of doubt.
Becker said she has seen how hard the Halls have worked to keep Jacob’s Ladder going. The responsibilities have included keeping a budget, meeting the kids in the program, and staying in touch with Jacob’s Ladder graduates. “When you add all of this together, the impact is long lasting to the climbers and their families and, as we grow up, to our community. In this way, they have given more to the community in a personal and long-lasting way than anyone I know,” she said.
Although Becker didn’t meet the Halls until she was 9 years old, she refers to them as her godparents. “I do not doubt for one second that they were God’s instrument in my life,” she said.
Fred Gaskins, who is a neighbor and friend of the Halls, told the audience Aubrey has been choir director at the Urbanna Baptist Church for 43 years. “I can’t imagine how my spiritual life would be without the Urbanna Baptist Church Choir, particularly because of its director.”
Aubrey was one of the four original coaches in the Middlesex Youth Basketball League and won the first championship in 1977, noted Gaskins.
“I’ve heard a saying, ‘Once a coach always a coach.’ Coach Hall is still analyzing his offensive moves while figuring how to overcome obstacles,” said Gaskins. “When he and Margie observed bright children among the migrant worker families and realized their outlook was pretty much hopeless, a game plan began buzzing in their heads and hearts. Team Jacob’s Ladder was about to form.”
The Halls “accepted a calling and have made a huge difference in the lives of hundreds of kids. That’s something they can be proud of,” said Gaskins.
Carolyn Boxley and Dolly Thrift recalled many pleasant memories of growing up in Urbanna with Margie.
In response to the many accolades, Aubrey said, “A non-profit can’t exist without the support and encouragement of organizations like those represented here tonight. As Jacob’s Ladder celebrates its 20th year of serving and providing enrichment programs for intellectually-gifted children who have limited opportunity, it is clear there has been a multitude of people, foundations, churches and organizations that have made it all possible.
“Those who support and believe in the program encourage climbers to reach for the highest rung of the greatest ladder they can imagine,” said Hall.
As a result, he noted, 93 percent of the graduated climbers have entered college and received more than $6 million in scholarships.
“Jacob’s Ladder is blessed with a wonderful staff of professionals and young people who impress upon the climbers how important they are and how their abilities will make a positive impact on our world as they achieve their educational goals. But, perhaps the greatest impact on the climbers is the development of trust, respect and sense of family that comes with the four or five year experience that Jacob’s Ladder provides,” said Aubrey, who noted that the climbers have little family support and much stress.
Margie thanked the audience and introduced two climbers, who recited Jeremiah 29:11, a Bible verse that Jacob’s Ladder has adopted.
In another light, Margie said she didn’t get to follow her childhood dream and marry actor Roy Rogers. “My ‘Roy Rogers’ and I have had a great adventure together. Real life is better than made-up life because God is in control.”
In making the Pride of Middlesex presentation, Rotary Club president Burt Alexander thanked the Halls “for the contributions that you have made.”
Alexander told the audience, “The point we want to make tonight is that no matter who you are or what place you have in life, you can make an impact in your community and this country.”
One of the things we so miss about our time in Germany: A day of REST!