INSPIRE — I felt myself become increasingly jealous the more Dan Scott talked about his job with Walt Disney Entertainment. The West Seneca West graduate is this week’s Someone You Should Know feature on page two. If I’ve captivated your attention thus far, I encourage you to flip back and read about his journey.

I envy him for both his current position as an audio engineer, but also for the passion he exuded when describing his involvement in the entertainment industry.

He’s not only traveled to Germany twice — he’s currently there now working on a Disney Cruise Line ship, on which he will sail to Madeira, a Portuguese island, before heading back to the states — but he’s also been to the Canary Islands, off the coast of Spain. Add that to the list with Vancouver, Los Angeles, Mexico, the Virgin Islands and several trips to the Caribbean.

“I can’t really complain,” he said.

He shouldn’t — but I can. I’ve always wanted to travel, which is why I chose to study abroad my senior year in college. I still wouldn’t trade that experience for anything; the added debt it created was more than worth it. The only real downfall was that it gave me the travel bug. If only I had an endless supply of money, I’d be scaling the Great Wall of China or touring Europe right now.

As a starry-eyed college grad, I had hoped to land a job that would allow me to travel the world. Back and forth from West Seneca to Williamsville wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but it’s been a great opportunity to meet the people in my own community before I’m able to venture back into the wider world. Someday.

I share Scott’s affinity for music, passion for new technologies and a curiosity to know how things work. I only wish I’d had the same great guidance and inspiration that he had at West Seneca West — another testament to the school district’s great staff and music programs. Unfortunately, I never felt as inspired by a teacher as he had been by Keith Ersing and John Blickwedehl.

On the other side of town, there’s a teacher at West Seneca East who’s done his own fair share of inspiring. Pat Braunscheidel is credited with influencing several students at the school, in addition to championing the efforts of the West Seneca Food Pantry expansion fund. He’s encouraged many in the district, especially his own school, to lend a helping hand and donate a spare penny. It all adds up, as evidenced by the weekly donations (see page three).

Two students and another teacher at East recently spoke out about their involvement with the campaign and how Braunscheidel has encouraged each of them to do so. Their story will be published in next week’s edition.

by DAVID F. SHERMAN
Managing Editor

GET YOUR FISH — The observance of Lent begins Feb. 22, and with it comes numerous fish fry dinners sponsored by churches and community groups. The Bee will publish a list of these Lenten fish dinners, which can be kept for reference in the weeks ahead, in the Feb. 15 and 16 editions. We will not publish fish fry announcements after that week.

The deadline to submit fish fry listings will be 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10. Paid advertisements for these events will be accepted at any time. For advertising information, call 204-4937.