*CameroonToSeattleTuition

Updates for Olando's fall quarter academic/professional/personal pursuits!

Olando's scholarship went through (yay!) and he continues to perform well in all his classes. This quarter, he is taking Introduction to Theatre (Drama101), Macro Economics (ECON202), Identity History and Folklore (LIT234). Olando teaches ASL classes at the historic Washington Hall, in central Seattle. He is teaching once a week, and seeking other work opportunities, in King County, particularly in Capitol Hill, Westlake, or Lakewood. His other goal is to find someone willing to teach him to drive, so he can get his license and more easily navigate the city for his work. 

Olando's tuition balance of $2258.85 is due this week and he greatly appreciates anyone who can help him pay this out of his limited savings. He is tentatively planning on taking off next quarter, to work and save money, before wrapping up his AA degree with his missing Natural World credits. Please share this post in hopes of helping support Olando's goals!

Hello Olando fans!!!

We would like to share this recent, congratulatory email that Olando received from Seattle Central College, and ask you all to share on your respective pages/networks in hopes of finding ongoing support for Olando's pursuit of higher education.

"Dear Olando,

Congratulations! I am pleased to recognize your academic achievements for the Spring 2025 quarter.

You have been placed on the Dean's List at Seattle Central College. The Dean's List recognizes students who earned 10 or more credits with a quarterly GPA of 3.5 or higher. This recognition is noted on your transcript.

On behalf of Seattle Central College's faculty and staff, congratulations and best wishes for your continued success.

Sincerely,

Diane M. Coleman
Interim Vice President of Student Services"

Hello to Olando's amazing advocates. 

I suppose it's about time for some updates as Olando wraps up winter quarter of his second year and goes to spring break. He did very well in his classes and finished with a B average. We did apply for the one scholarship available to international students and are waiting for a response! He will be taking all math and public speaking in spring quarter.

Olando was interviewed by a documentary filmmaker, with an ASL interpreter, in his communications class, who found his story very compelling in discussion group. As soon as we have access to the interview, we will share it!

Olando recently got his first job, as an ASL teacher, and is currently applying for positions with the Seattle Parks and Recreation Dept. My uncle, Mike Fox, and his partner, Kerry Radcliffe, plan to continue supporting Olando's education and housing as he goes into year 3 of his education. As always, any contributions in supporting Olando are appreciated, as are your words of support or visits to him if any of you pass through Seattle. Thank you all so much for being part of his cause!

Update for Olando’s progress in the US of A!

Olando has been in Oregon for the last 5 weeks, working on Jeff Schlageter’s farm in Veneta and learning a LOT about managing equipment, harvesting crops, pruning and many other useful skills. He wore protective equipment, such as gloves, glasses and ear protection. He was incredibly happy to gain some skills. He has also stayed with Hailey, at intervals, to make sure she is refreshing her rusty American sign language skills. He has also gone sailing with Hailey and Jeff and enjoyed his adventures. Olando went to the Oregon Country Fair for the very first time. Jeff hired an ASL interpreter, Jamie Lee, to accompany Olando at Fair and help him communicate with all the new people he met. He had the chance to meet many Deaf people when he arrived at Country Fair. Olando has learned to ride a bicycle in the last year, special thanks to Liam Antrim for helping him to learn basic bicycle skills, and Olando was recently gifted a wonderful bicycle by Scott Hand, a friend of Jeff Schlageter, that will help him navigate Seattle. Next tasks- learn to drive a car and learn to swim!

Speaking of Seattle, that’s where Olando is headed, August 5, to begin a new chapter. He will be living in his own ADU on the property of Michael Fox and Kerry Radcliffe, in Leschi, so if any of you live in Seattle or pass through, please look him up and say hi! He will start attending Seattle Central College at the end of September and is registered for Philosophy, History and a class about the American College system for International Students. He was even given a small scholarship from SCC!

Olando has already made some connections with the greater Seattle Deaf community and has connected with a Deaf church outside of Seattle that he is looking forward to attending. He will be looking for part time work in Seattle, so any ideas or connections are welcome!

As fall tuition deadline approaches, any contributions folks are able to make to Olando’s pursuit of ongoing education would be greatly appreciated. Over his first year in Washington state, the amount of people who have come together to support this phenomenal young man is overwhelming, and he appreciates it greatly.