With a strong tail wind, 62-year old Darby Roach and his best friend Mike Mann, cruise into Airway Heights on two wheels.  If you've driven Highway 2 in the past three days you may know who I'm talking about.  They're the two guys on loaded down bicycles, with the sneaky smiles and gusto of young men on an adventure of a lifetime.

Roach and Mann are on a mission to first bike across the United States and then the world.  The pair left Wenatchee Sunday morning and arrived in Spokane Wednesday night. In all, they've logged about 140 miles so far. Their goal is to get to Boston by the end of the Summer.  From there, Roach will fly solo to Europe where he plans to spend the next 3 years seeing the world. From the narrow streets of Paris to the snow covered peaks of Chile, Roach plans to pedal every mile of the way. 

What? Is he crazy? Who would do such a thing? All questions that ran through my mind when Roach told me about his ambitious goal. To understand this wild dream, you have to understand the wild man on the bike.  I don't think he'll mind my choice adjective, he raised me after all.

Three students in Eastern Washington are receiving a $2,000 scholarship each for excelling in career oriented and technical education. STCU has funded the “Focus Awards” scholarship since 2006.

One student from Central Valley High School, Leah Amsden, has a 3.9 GPA and plans on attending Eastern Washington University to become an elementary school teacher. She’s participated in teaching academies and has been to Guatemala on a mission. She’s also a four-year letterman in cross country.

Taylor Lewis is Newport High School’s senior class president. She a member of their honor society and has been captain of the school’s soccer and basketball teams. She plans on becoming a phsyician.

Mariah Nepean is a DECA finalist at nationals representing North Central High School. She’s also the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement in Career and Technical Education award. She plans on attending Portland State University to become a business owner.

The three students were honored last week at an STCU event were 23 students were also honored.

This is a special month, recognizing a group of people who sacrifice so much for children. It is Foster Parent Appreciation Month, and, Families for Kids is honoring those who have offered their hearts, home, and time over the past year. They are calling it “A Day In May”.

Did you know foster parents:

• may be asked to take a child or children at any hour of the day or night, with little notice or information?
• may have to drive children many miles for dental or medical health care services?
• may have to participate in many meetings with multiple professionals and birth families while providing a safe, stable home?
• work through problems with the foster children in their home on really tough days when they've considered quitting?

If you know foster parents, be sure to let them know how much they are appreciated!