Above: Rebekah Gregory talking to Charles Slike as he was getting an autograph from her.
Bottom: Patty Ferrell and Linda Lenzi of the Jefferson County Educational Service Center met Boston Marathon bombing survivor Rebekah Gregory prior to her recent “Boston Strong” program in Steubenville. They said they were touched and inspired by Gregory’s resilience amid the tragedy.
Bottom: Patty Ferrell and Linda Lenzi of the Jefferson County Educational Service Center met Boston Marathon bombing survivor Rebekah Gregory prior to her recent “Boston Strong” program in Steubenville. They said they were touched and inspired by Gregory’s resilience amid the tragedy.
ESC Officials Inspired by Bombing Survivor’s Strength
STEUBENVILLE-The strength and determination of Boston Marathon bombing survivor Rebekah Gregory touched a chord with her audience recently, including two representatives of the Jefferson County Educational Service Center.
Linda Lenzi, who serves as gifted services coordinator for JCESC, and Patty Ferrell, intervention specialist and teacher mentor, attended Gregory’s “Boston Strong” program, which was held April 16 at Steubenville High School as part of the Herald-Star and Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Speaker Series, and met her prior to the discussion. Both said they were inspired by her story and ability to overcome trials and tribulations. Gregory, then 27, had believed God was watching over her and her young son, Noah, as they watched the marathon from the sidelines in 2013. They were only three feet away from one of the backpacks which contained a bomb that detonated as runners made their way to the finish line. She endured many surgeries, including one to amputate one of her legs, and now wears a prosthetic leg she named Felicia. Gregory is still working to put her life back on track after the horrific act of domestic terrorism and even showed her resilience by running the last few miles of this year’s marathon, but her ordeal and words resonated with the crowd at the speaker series.
Lenzi said she and Ferrell met up with Gregory and both were moved by the woman’s strength over adversity.
“She was so inspirational and full of life that you forgot about all of her troubles,” Lenzi said. “When I saw her cross the finish line a few days later on TV, I knew she was on her way to a new life.”
“Her words that resonated through me were, ‘Don't be a victim - be a rock star!’ She was an inspiration and a very good motivational speaker,” Ferrell added. “I'm glad she has the opportunity to speak to people of all ages, especially teen-agers, about appreciating what we have and striving for excellence despite the hand we are dealt in life. I was very honored to have met such a wonderful young lady who has touched so many lives with her testimony. She is truly an inspiration. I'm so glad that [JCESC Superintendent Dr. George Ash] gave us the opportunity to represent the JCESC and meet this amazing young lady and hear her story of triumph through adversity, and who, with God's help, beat the odds and continues to thank Him for her blessings. She is ‘Boston Strong.’”
Superintendent Dr. George Ash also thanked everyone involved for making the program possible.
"I want to thank the Herald Star and other sponsors for the speaker series and know Ms. Lenzi and Ms. Ferrell use the series as part of the Gifted and Enrichment Program they lead. Moreover, the donation of 250 tickets for local students from Cattrell Companies was greatly appreciated,” said Dr. Ash.
Program sponsors included the Herald-Star and Weirton Daily Times, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Gateway Community College, the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Trinity Health System, Cattrell Cos. Inc. and WTRF-TV with additional support from Bayberry House Bed and Breakfast, Piergallini Catering, Newbrough Photo, Hertz-Thrifty Car Rental and Steubenville City Schools.
STEUBENVILLE-The strength and determination of Boston Marathon bombing survivor Rebekah Gregory touched a chord with her audience recently, including two representatives of the Jefferson County Educational Service Center.
Linda Lenzi, who serves as gifted services coordinator for JCESC, and Patty Ferrell, intervention specialist and teacher mentor, attended Gregory’s “Boston Strong” program, which was held April 16 at Steubenville High School as part of the Herald-Star and Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Speaker Series, and met her prior to the discussion. Both said they were inspired by her story and ability to overcome trials and tribulations. Gregory, then 27, had believed God was watching over her and her young son, Noah, as they watched the marathon from the sidelines in 2013. They were only three feet away from one of the backpacks which contained a bomb that detonated as runners made their way to the finish line. She endured many surgeries, including one to amputate one of her legs, and now wears a prosthetic leg she named Felicia. Gregory is still working to put her life back on track after the horrific act of domestic terrorism and even showed her resilience by running the last few miles of this year’s marathon, but her ordeal and words resonated with the crowd at the speaker series.
Lenzi said she and Ferrell met up with Gregory and both were moved by the woman’s strength over adversity.
“She was so inspirational and full of life that you forgot about all of her troubles,” Lenzi said. “When I saw her cross the finish line a few days later on TV, I knew she was on her way to a new life.”
“Her words that resonated through me were, ‘Don't be a victim - be a rock star!’ She was an inspiration and a very good motivational speaker,” Ferrell added. “I'm glad she has the opportunity to speak to people of all ages, especially teen-agers, about appreciating what we have and striving for excellence despite the hand we are dealt in life. I was very honored to have met such a wonderful young lady who has touched so many lives with her testimony. She is truly an inspiration. I'm so glad that [JCESC Superintendent Dr. George Ash] gave us the opportunity to represent the JCESC and meet this amazing young lady and hear her story of triumph through adversity, and who, with God's help, beat the odds and continues to thank Him for her blessings. She is ‘Boston Strong.’”
Superintendent Dr. George Ash also thanked everyone involved for making the program possible.
"I want to thank the Herald Star and other sponsors for the speaker series and know Ms. Lenzi and Ms. Ferrell use the series as part of the Gifted and Enrichment Program they lead. Moreover, the donation of 250 tickets for local students from Cattrell Companies was greatly appreciated,” said Dr. Ash.
Program sponsors included the Herald-Star and Weirton Daily Times, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Gateway Community College, the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Trinity Health System, Cattrell Cos. Inc. and WTRF-TV with additional support from Bayberry House Bed and Breakfast, Piergallini Catering, Newbrough Photo, Hertz-Thrifty Car Rental and Steubenville City Schools.
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