Day 38

Today started with a meeting at the Pike County Courthouse where we were pleased to present a proclamation of friendship to Pike County Judge Executive William Deskins and Deputy Judge Sue Ratliff. Joining us at the courthouse were three amazing Berea graduates; Troy Price, ’92, Della Justice, ’93, and Dr. Wallace Campbell, ’66. We also met Troy and Della’s beautiful three month old daughter, Parker, who was cheerfully along for the journey looking pretty in pink.

Dr. Campbell read about Berea’s proclamation to Pike County in the Appalachian News Express and decided to join us. He serves as the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Pikeville College where he assists the 800 students attending there. We had the opportunity to walk up the 99 steps leading into campus and found out later that Pikeville’s slogan for years has been, “you take the first step.”

Della and Troy assisted us greatly with our day in Pikeville. You might recall reading about Della in an article in the New York Times last year that described her commitment to her region and family. She serves as a lawyer in Pike County while Troy serves with the National Children’s Alliance. The two of them are an incredible tag team who feel fortunate to have found Berea College. They continually give back in many ways and feel passionate about Berea’s mission.

Troy led John and I to a Hatfield-McCoy historical site in Pike County. As we walked through the Dils Cemetary gazing at the McCoy family graves – particularly the graves of Sarah and Randolf McCoy, it occurred to us how important it is to settle old disagreements. Today, the Hatfields and McCoys now have a huge family reunion in Pike County in June. They have even signed a peace treaty!

Over and out,

Amy Harmon, '99