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Published Saturday, September 04, 2010 in Local

Widow works to carry on husband's legacy of giving

By Elizabeth Melville

The Newnan Times-Herald

Coweta resident Joel Fegarido gave his life to save his son Joey from the Snake River rapids in Wyoming this summer.

Now, his wife, Eva, is attempting to carry on his legacy of giving at the very place that held a special place in both of their hearts.

Joel served as the school board chairman of the Shoal Creek Adventist School in Sharpsburg.

"It is a terrific little school with superb teachers and outstanding academics," according to Eva. "It has a kind and nurturing environment. Enrollment is not restricted to Adventists, and many students in the community have found refuge here from the sometimes cruel reality of other schools."

The Fegaridos' own son and daughter have attended the school since kindergarten.

Since Joel always wanted to update the school's technology to "open a world of learning" to the students, Eva decided to enter an essay in Charter's laptop giveaway contest. If the school receives the most online votes, it will win 50 laptop computers.

Shoal Creek Principal Stephen Bralley learned of the contest through an e-mail from Eva.

"She said this is something she wants to do in memory of Joel," said Bralley. "It's really been awesome just knowing she cares so much and wants to do this for Joel."

Plus, Bralley said their computers are outdated and limited in number. Presently, students share time on computers.

"With laptops, each student could work on a computer," said Bralley. "It gets expensive to replace computers in every classroom."

This is Bralley's first year on the job and he only had the privilege of spending time with Joel at a few meetings.

"He was a person you got to know right off the bat," said Bralley. "Since the incident, it felt like I lost a friend -- he was just that kind of person."

"My husband recognized how great this school is and a few years ago agreed to become the school board chairman," said Eva. "He and the other board members have worked tirelessly to improve the school and raise funds so that anyone who wanted to attend could do so."

"He was here weekdays and weekends helping out the school with marketing and finances," said Bralley. "He was here as much as us teachers."

Following Fegarido's tragic and heroic death, Eva said her family and the school have been devastated. Two weeks following his death she saw an e-mail about the laptop contest and thought, "My husband would love for something like this to be done for Shoal Creek."

"[Joel's] heart was always open," said Bralley. "He was the first to volunteer to help in anything we did. He was supportive, and the teachers felt his support on the board."

To view Eva Fegarido's entire contest essay and vote for Shoal Creek, visit connect.charter.com/laptop2010/Vote/candidatesdetails.aspx?sid=90264