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Hello John — My name is Catherine Novello. I had the pleasure of teaching Ashley during her junior and senior years at Pen Argyl Area High School and I am delighted to write this email to you all on why I think Ashley would be amazing in Congress. It seems fitting that she is now pursuing her civic duty by running for political office. I was her social studies teacher. Ashley was an outstanding student — intelligent, curious, inquisitive, and hard-working. She was a teacher’s dream — always engaged and participatory in class, eager to learn. She immersed herself in the subjects I taught — World Cultures and AP European History. She was keenly aware of the connection between history and contemporary issues and understood that civic responsibilities and duties are implicit in a functioning democracy. As Vice President of her class, she often advocated for her classmates and was respected by administrators, teachers, and students. When she set her sights on West Point, I had no doubt that her grit and determination would make her success inevitable. After graduating from West Point and serving in Iraq, Ashley returned to Pen Argyl High School to participate in a Veterans Day panel. Her commitment to service and country awed the students and faculty. Her choice to run for office has been a source of immense pride for me and other teachers who had the pleasure of her presence in their classes. She has evolved into an amazing young woman who is now answering the call to serve again. Ashley has proven to be a fierce advocate for causes to which she commits. She is a candidate who truly cares about what is best for her constituents. She hears the concerns of voters, believes every voice matters, wants to bring people together, and aspires to solve problems collectively. She is a truly authentic individual — I know because I saw these attributes develop in her over a decade ago. The high school student who advocated for her classmates is now the young woman hoping to do the same for her potential district.
During her graduation ceremony, I had the honor of giving Ashley her diploma and now have the honor of calling her “friend.” Watching Ashley mature, evolve, and make her mark as an adult illustrates one of the greatest joys of teaching. I have no doubt that when elected Ashley will work hard to deliver for Pennsylvania families and continue to succeed in everything she sets out to do. — Catherine Novello
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