The Catskill Chronicle

Dear Editor:

To the Board of Members of the Sullivan County Soap Box Derby Committee:

I wanted to take a moment and thank each of you for the International Soap Box Derby experience my nephew Ryan Parsons had this past week.

By way of background, Ryan is a wonderful boy. He has not been afforded many opportunities in life but is a child that is always smiling, trying to do his best, entertaining people with his humor and love for life.

Ryan was beyond excited in March when my husband Stephen told him that Cracolici’s was looking for a Super Stock driver for the Memorial Day local race. He was thrilled that he would have the experience of assembling the car and racing against other children from different schools. Every Wednesday he got off the school bus at my house with a smile from ear to ear awaiting the practice runs behind Liberty School. He enjoyed working with Ethan Meadow and my husband putting the car together and designing it. He couldn’t wait until Memorial Day weekend for the actual race and my husband Stephen and I were extremely thrilled when he won. In my own personal opinion, it could not have happened to a better boy!

I wanted the committee to know that both Ryan and Evan Madison represented our community well. They conducted themselves appropriately and had the time of their lives! From Monday morning until Saturday night, the boys were introduced to people from around the world who were also competing for the International Title. We met families at our hotel who have competed in Akron for many, many years and I know Ryan has made friends that will last a lifetime—something that could not please me more.

Ryan knows that he cannot compete in the Super Stock Race next year (locally) but looks forward to the opportunity to race in the Masters Race in the years to come. My son Dylan, who raced locally in the Stock competition, absorbed everything that he saw around us and said he hopes that we can return to Akron, Ohio in the near future so he can have the opportunity and experiences that Ryan had.

The Sullivan County Soap Box Derby has brought something to our county that is wonderful. It has the chances of becoming a very large, popular family activity. My immediate family enjoyed all of the activities that the AASBD organizers planned.

Thank you all for giving Ryan the opportunity for an international title. As his aunt, I can tell you, we were very proud of both him and Evan.

We very much look forward to racing again next Memorial Day. See you in the Spring!

Keri-Ann Poley

(Photo by Stephen Lavelle)