As I approach 50 in the coming weeks, I’m reflecting on those who have inspired and helped me along the way. Corey Paris and Norma Nolte, respectively, are on my mind this week.
Corey Paris was Student Body President at JCCC one of the years I was on the JCCC Board. He was a firecracker who had big ideas and executed them. Each month, his report to the board was entertaining, engaging, and full of substantial, meaningful work the Student Senate was doing for our students. He was going places for all the right reasons.
More than a decade later, he’s now a State Representative in Connecticut and has worked for non-profits serving the homeless and food insecure. When I was asked to co-chair this year’s Some Enchanted Evening scholarship gala, I knew he would be the perfect keynote speaker to highlight our alumni focus as we honor Johnson Countian of the Year, Jon Stewart. Corey accepted immediately and we’re excited to have him in November.
This week, he was alerted to ICE officers in his district and sent a social media message to his constituents (left photo below), encouraging them to stay alert and prioritize their safety. A high-profile account highlighted Corey’s post (right photo below), saying it put federal agents in danger and tagged Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the post. As you’ll see in the video, ICE then shared the post, tagging the Department of Justice! ICE has since deleted the post… It gets worse.
As a result of this wild and obviously false accusation, he and his family have had death and lynching threats. I am still spitting mad about this and you’ll see more about why in the video. Rev. Sharpton is more of a distraction than anything, but Corey absolutely shines. Every Johnson Countian pays taxes to provide a reasonably priced, top quality higher education in Johnson County. YOU poured into him with your tax dollars. These are the students WE AS A COMMUNITY help launch – every day. Rep. Corey Paris makes me so proud to be a Johnson Countian and to have served JCCC.
Watch below and know your role in this amazing human’s development:
JCCC is looking forward to having you back on campus in November. Keep up the amazing work you’re doing in CT!
Norma Nolte of Garden City, KS passed this week. She was one of those women who poured love, support, and faith into my life:
- First as an active member of my church – a stretcher-bearer, safe haven, and open arms for my mom when it was my dad’s turn for holidays and she was alone at Christmas or Thanksgiving.
- Then as a coworker in my first job at 14, working at a Hallmark store. She stood up for me when my “trial wage” lasted much longer than was legal ($4.25 if I remember correctly). We dusted Precious Moments and wedding registry shelves, and stocked Shoebox cards – laughing for hours. She LOVED chocolates and knew the expiration of every box of Russell Stover on the shelf. Our workroom was connected to the bookstore around the corner, Books, Etc., and she’d bring the box to the workroom and we’d all share the treats.
- She hosted my Garden City bridal shower – a room full of women who had poured time and talent into my life at the First United Methodist Church. Her son, Jerre, performed our wedding. Her daughter Beth has been a longstanding advocate during my political career and since. She and her dear departed Dean raised truly good humans.
- Norma gave the best hugs. She was a small, fierce woman with the biggest heart and personality. So many things in this world are better because of her attention and love, including me. A good and faithful servant, she has earned her rest.
Go out this Labor Day Weekend and do something for someone else in honor of these two people who made an impact in mine.
Happy serving,
Stephanie Sharp
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