An inspiring in note from one of our alumni, Teo Bal ...

To all my family, friends and colleagues,

Sometimes we live through an event that triggers one to look back and reminisce about the past and some of the experiences gained in the journey to get where you are now. Well, such an event is now about to happen in my life, and I wanted to share it with all of you who had a part to play in it.

On September 19, here in St. Louis, I will be sworn in as a US Citizen. The reason I copied you on this e-mail it is because of your direct or indirect influence, on a professional and/or personal level, that I chose to become a citizen, and to be proud to be called an American in the near future. Whether it was through your friendship, your guidance, your example of showing me what America and Americans are about, or simply by giving me the feeling of being home and looked at as equal despite my looks or heritage, it all was valuable to me in ways that words cannot describe. I am very happy that you were part of this 19 year journey, which started all the way in 1989 when I came over as a wide-eyed and green high school exchange student, and ends with me holding my US Citizenship Certificate in a couple weeks from now.

For all of this, I am very, very thankful to you, and the only way I can think to show you my gratitude is to invite you to the ceremony in St. Louis on that Friday. It probably is one of the most patriotic events that one can attend, and very emotional on top of that. For those of you that get a kick out of it, it clearly is one of the few times you will see grown men cry. It's in the morning, and for some of you both the travel and the time may be prohibitive (most of you work for a living after all), but regardless, if you're copied you're invited. Let me know if you want to come, and I will let you know more details.

Finally, and this is near and dear to my heart now, go vote in November. I don't care who for. As someone who was voiceless and voteless for all of his life, you cannot even begin to imagine how important that right really is. Make use of it. I know I will make use of it very emotionally for the first time in my life, and I hope you will follow my enthusiasm.

Again, I thank you very dearly for having been an influence in my life's path. For some of you, this e-mail may come as a surprise, but believe me when I say that you did play a part in me calling myself Proud to be an American.

P.S.: Please feel free to share this with anyone you like.

Regards,

Teo Bal