This afternoon, I got some of the sweetest news I could get. I am close to many of the refugee children I’ve met in recent years, but I am perhaps closest, as is Maria, to Tser Nay.

We have helped her stay at Bishop Maginn and Bishop Gibbons, from tuition to school and computing supplies (See what you did.). She has suffered much, worked hard, and is among the sweetest and kindest humans I know.

Nothing she has suffered – and she has suffered greatly –  has embittered or discouraged her. She loves America.

I am proud to call her a friend. Today, at her school’s awards ceremony, Hser Nay cleaned up. Among other things, she was awarded an $80,ooo per year scholarship at St. Bonaventure University, located in Southwestern New York State; It’s the oldest Franciscan University in America, a wonderful place for her to learn and plan her life.

The scholarship is a four-year scholarship. She gets support each year.

Many of you will remember the many pieces I wrote and the many photos I took of her. She helped me train Zinnia as a therapy dog puppy at Bishop Maginn. Zinnia adores her still.

What an outstanding American citizen she is and will be. To the best of my knowledge, she needs no additional help to go to St. Bonaventure, but we will meet with her shortly to see if there is any help we can offer.

It’s the perfect school for her.

I’ve known her for five years, and she has never stopped working hard to improve herself, do her schoolwork, and be a wonderful friend to the other refugee children. Maria and Hser Nay have been working together and have become close friends, and Maria is reaching her to sew and make her clothing.

I met Hser shortly after she was hospitalized for trying to protect a friend from a gang on the bus home from her public school. She suffered a concussion and other injuries. This was at the height of Donald Trump’s Hate Campain against refugees; many of them were getting bullied and beaten up in public schools.

That’s when the Army Of Good got into it and got tuition to get them into the Catholic School system, which welcomed and protected them.

She is an outstanding student. After years of dislocation, terror, and life in a refugee camp, she has come out the other side of America. This is what our country stands for.

This lifts my heart right up to the roof. Another life was enriched and changed thanks to Sue Silverstein, a donor named Kathleen, and many members of the Army of Good. I am proud.

Sue Silverstein is bursting with joy; I have run out of words of praise for her. She is the very best human; she has many good friends.

People are good, given the chance to be good. Don’t believe the news.  Thanks to all of you who have helped make this dream come true.

Godspeed, Hser Nay.