Note: The following article was first published on September 28, 2006
BYES alumnus, Dr. Jerman Disasa, 2nd from left On Thursday, Presbyterian College's Dr. Jerman Disasa, Director of Special Projects, and the Communities Helping And Mentoring Promising Students (CHAMPS) program, was presented with the "Caring for the Carolinas" award presented monthly by popular WSPA-TV personality Jack Roper.
Allison Kernell, a student at North Greenville University and a former CHAMPS participant, nominated Disasa by sending the Spartanburg station an e-mail describing his commitment to the young people of Laurens County.
"I decided to nominate Jerman because he really put the effort into the CHAMPS program and helping the community and the CHAMPS students," she said. "His main focus is getting us to college and furthering our education and continuing our pursuit of knowledge. I really thought that he deserved the award because he just does so much for this community. It's not just the students that he cares about; he cares about everybody in the community."
In addition to submitting the nomination, Kernell also coordinated with Channel 7 staff to have the presentation made on the PC campus with a variety of fellow CHAMPS students – all of it as a surprise to Disasa.
"I was clueless – and I did not know (about the award)," he said. "All I'm thinking is, 'This is wonderful for our community.'"
Prepared instead for an interview about his beloved CHAMPS, Disasa was visibly stunned when Roper pulled out the engraved crystal trophy and confessed to inviting Disasa to go on the air under false pretenses. Modest to the end, Disasa did recover in time to point the spotlight on all of the people – parents, students, teachers, businesspeople, the college, and churches – who make CHAMPS work and succeed.
Afterwards, Disasa again reflected on the mission of the CHAMPS program, which began in 1994.
"The first thing I think of is this campus here – Presbyterian College – fully unwavering in committing to this program for 12 years," he said. "That is the story for me. Really, it is not about myself, so (the award) surprises me but it's a wonderful surprise because (the program) is what we want to tell others. Our story is powerful. Our story is about children. And when it comes to children, no one should choose a line. There is only one line – the line that draws these children together."
Seeing current and former CHAMPS participants again on Thursday was both a surprise and delight, he added. "It's always wonderful," he said, noting that the students on camera, accompanied by their parents, are symbols of the importance of engaging young people in education.
Disasa's passion for others, said Roper, is a story too good not to tell.
"(CHAMPS) is an enormous undertaking for somebody to take kids under their wing and watch them and, hopefully, motivate the ones that really want to go to college," he said. "This guy is selfless. He's just so giving – and it's obvious when you meet him. … He's not an easy man to give an award to because he claims it's not about him. But he did get it all started and a lot of kids are better off because of him. He's a marvelous fellow."
Roper joked that Disasa may get a hammer and chisel to divide the "Caring for the Carolinas" award amongst CHAMPS' many supporters. But the recipient said, instead, that he is eager for them to see it and share it.
"I'm just happy," he said. "I'm very, very happy. I'm connected; I'm not alone. That's what saves me. It also increases my loyalty, my commitment, both to the program and to the county and to the school."
Allison Kernell, a student at North Greenville University and a former CHAMPS participant, nominated Disasa by sending the Spartanburg station an e-mail describing his commitment to the young people of Laurens County.
"I decided to nominate Jerman because he really put the effort into the CHAMPS program and helping the community and the CHAMPS students," she said. "His main focus is getting us to college and furthering our education and continuing our pursuit of knowledge. I really thought that he deserved the award because he just does so much for this community. It's not just the students that he cares about; he cares about everybody in the community."
In addition to submitting the nomination, Kernell also coordinated with Channel 7 staff to have the presentation made on the PC campus with a variety of fellow CHAMPS students – all of it as a surprise to Disasa.
"I was clueless – and I did not know (about the award)," he said. "All I'm thinking is, 'This is wonderful for our community.'"
Prepared instead for an interview about his beloved CHAMPS, Disasa was visibly stunned when Roper pulled out the engraved crystal trophy and confessed to inviting Disasa to go on the air under false pretenses. Modest to the end, Disasa did recover in time to point the spotlight on all of the people – parents, students, teachers, businesspeople, the college, and churches – who make CHAMPS work and succeed.
Afterwards, Disasa again reflected on the mission of the CHAMPS program, which began in 1994.
"The first thing I think of is this campus here – Presbyterian College – fully unwavering in committing to this program for 12 years," he said. "That is the story for me. Really, it is not about myself, so (the award) surprises me but it's a wonderful surprise because (the program) is what we want to tell others. Our story is powerful. Our story is about children. And when it comes to children, no one should choose a line. There is only one line – the line that draws these children together."
Seeing current and former CHAMPS participants again on Thursday was both a surprise and delight, he added. "It's always wonderful," he said, noting that the students on camera, accompanied by their parents, are symbols of the importance of engaging young people in education.
Disasa's passion for others, said Roper, is a story too good not to tell.
"(CHAMPS) is an enormous undertaking for somebody to take kids under their wing and watch them and, hopefully, motivate the ones that really want to go to college," he said. "This guy is selfless. He's just so giving – and it's obvious when you meet him. … He's not an easy man to give an award to because he claims it's not about him. But he did get it all started and a lot of kids are better off because of him. He's a marvelous fellow."
Roper joked that Disasa may get a hammer and chisel to divide the "Caring for the Carolinas" award amongst CHAMPS' many supporters. But the recipient said, instead, that he is eager for them to see it and share it.
"I'm just happy," he said. "I'm very, very happy. I'm connected; I'm not alone. That's what saves me. It also increases my loyalty, my commitment, both to the program and to the county and to the school."
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