Root Beer Barrels

Photo Credit: Keith Currie Photography

We often hear of how people should be more involved with their communities and schools in order to promote the success of students. Jason Fuhr exemplified the true meaning of being an involved citizen who was deeply committed to academic and athletic excellence. He served on two different boards of education over a thirty year time period and attended hundreds, if not thousands, of events supporting student-athletes of the South Hunterdon Regional High School District. While attending athletic events or bumping into Jason on the street, he would always have a stash of root beer barrel candies in his pocket eagerly awaiting to hand them out to people. On several occasions during and after my high school career, I can vividly remember having conversations with Jason and then that night emptying my pockets only to find a root beer barrel. 

Successful schools and tight-knit communities are the way they are because of people like Jason who volunteer their time for the greater good. You always felt better after speaking with Jason or sucking on one his famous root beer barrels. It was all we knew growing up in Lambertville, NJ. Every Saturday morning on game day you could count on Jason being there to help with transporting football equipment and taking care of the game balls. He always understood the importance of giving back and making sure everyone knew how proud he was of all the accomplishments of that little high school in Lambertville. This sort of pride and passion became contagious and made our good school great. 

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Photo Credit: www.ruralking.com

There is no doubt that we need more people like Jason Fuhr entrenched in our schools. He made all of us better people by constantly modeling kindness, generosity, and sincerity. His support through the years will never be forgotten. It will be weird not seeing him around town anymore. Seems as you get older many of the people who were apart of the fabric of your community ride off into the sunset leaving a legacy that is truly untouchable. Ultimately though the void left open is filled by another person who is just as caring and supportive. This is the great thing about schools that are so successful and truly put kids first. They find ways to engage stakeholders in the educational process and improve school culture. As I look back on my time in high school I now know why it was so special. Because of people like Jason taking time out of their busy lives to make ours better. Thanks for all that you did Jason. Rest in peace my friend. 

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