Here is a letter I sent to the STEM Pals membership on 05/22/2023, as its founder and outgoing co-president:
Dear STEM Pals Family,
I hope this message finds you well, excited, and ready for the bright future that lies ahead. It seems like just yesterday when the concept of STEM Pals was a fledgling idea in my mind. Back in 2019, when I first conceived of a community dedicated to high school STEM outreach, I never imagined just how successful it would become. Like a rugged, untouched mountain, the concept was waiting to be transformed into something grand and magnificent.
Our co-president Sam Tetef and I picked up our metaphorical chisels and set to work, but we were not sculptors alone. Each of you and our sponsors played a pivotal role in shaping this monument. Your dedication, your passion, your tireless efforts have been instrumental in carving the grand structure that is STEM Pals today. It is through our collective hard work that we have been able to host over 20 events, reaching over 1000 community members.
As we stand at this major milestone in our journey, our scene is reminiscent of Mount Rushmore.
Sam and I, in our roles as the original sculptors, have chiseled three new faces into our growing monument. These are the faces of Al Snow, Ariana Frey, and Nicole Gregorio, the incoming co-presidents. Their commitment, dedication, and contributions to STEM Pals have earned them their rightful places on our mountain. We trust in their ability to lead STEM Pals to even greater heights and successes.
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Al, Ariana, and Nicole as they step into their new roles. They are not only the leaders of our organization but also the representation of our bright future.
Although Sam and I are stepping back from the scaffolding, we will not be leaving the base of the mountain. We remain fully committed to supporting STEM Pals and will be there to offer guidance as we move forward. This isn’t a farewell, but a shift in our roles, allowing us to continue to contribute from a different vantage point.
Our deepest gratitude goes out to all of you. Without your hard work, dedication, and belief in our mission, STEM Pals would not be the success it is today.
As we look to the future, let’s continue to inspire, shape, and guide the next generation of STEM enthusiasts.
Here’s to new beginnings, to the continued success of STEM Pals, and to a future filled with even more remarkable achievements!
Sincerely Yours,
Tharindu Fernando
http://thauwa.me
NOTE: I asked ChatGPT to give me ideas for a fun photo edit to commemorate the change in leadership, and used its Mt. Rushmore idea to have it write me the above letter. I haven’t told this to anyone else elsewhere. This bit of information is your gift for reading this post. Congratulations!