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9.02.04 Ashlee LaFontaine signs the book Freshman women sign the book at Erskine The 81st annual Signing of the Book at Erskine College brought more than100 freshman women to the Bowie Arts Center Wednesday evening to take part in one of the school's unique traditions, reciting the honor pledge and adding their signatures to a book of names going back several generations. "Thirty years ago I sat where you are sitting, and I never imagined that I would attend another Signing of the Book ceremony," said Ann Suarez, a member of the Class of 1978 and this year's speaker. "Life is full of surprises." Suarez said that for her, ending up at Erskine was a surprise. As a high school senior in 1974, she was set to attend a state school, with scholarships lined up and a room and roommate chosen. "But, surprise! God had other plans for me," she said. When she was selected to receive a Milliken Scholarship that was only applicable to a private college in South Carolina, she had to make a decision. "After one high school weekend at Erskine, I knew where my heart belonged," Suarez said. "It also helped that my good friend Gwen Thomas Stowe (mother of Erskine senior Christy Stowe) had invited me to room with her." Suarez said that once she was at Erskine, within two weeks she had met the love of her life. "Thirty years later we have three wonderful children, each one another chapter of the surprises of my life," she said. Suarez told the Erskine women that the way they handle the surprises of life would affect the lives of those around them. "Whether the surprises are the kind that are delightful or the kind that seem to knock us off our feet, it is helpful to remember who we are, from where we have come, and where we are headed in the future," she said. "We are members of the Erskine family," Suarez said. "The Signing of the Book is only a part of your continuing in the inheritance of the Erskine family." Suarez stressed the centrality of God's providence in exploring the question, "From where have we come?" "The Book of Jeremiah gives us a clue," she said. "The Lord came to Jeremiah saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.'" "Realizing where we are headed" brings security and comfort, Suarez said. "For me personally, this security and comfort comes from an eternal perspective. "As you begin this year, you will discover that your Erskine experience will dictate in large part many of the details of your own story of life's surprises," she said. "Remember that you are a member of the Erskine family, draw strength and support from that. "Remember that you are designed by God, find purpose in that," she said. "Above all, remember that He has a plan for your life, and experience the challenge and excitement of that." Suarez, who teaches and manages a second-grade reading program called "Eagle II" at Summerville Elementary School, received a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education at Erskine. She is president of the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional honor society for key women educators. Married to Erskine alumnus Arturo Suarez, Ann Suarez is the mother of three children. Her son Barron graduated from Erskine College in 2000 and her daughter Virginia is a freshman and one of this year's two E.B. Kennedy Scholars. Another daughter, Catherine, is a sophomore at Porter-Gaud School in Charleston. She lives with her family in Mount Pleasant and attends Scots Kirk Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Summerville. Several Erskine seniors assisted with this year's Signing of the Book ceremony. Natalie Johnson, president of Epsilon Sigma Tau, welcomed the freshmen, and Christy Stowe, president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, offered an invocation. Mary Sims Pressly, chairperson of the Intersociety Council, introduced the speaker, and Emily Scism led the recitation of the honor pledge. Melissa Casey conducted the signing of the book, and Sarabeth Shoger led the singing of the Alma Mater. Nikki Knox, president of Tri Beta, gave the closing prayer and Perri Hiott, president of Canterbury Club, adjourned the meeting. |
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