August 8, 2009: Leaving for Mississippi!!!

August 8, 2009

I will be leaving today to finish my meteorology degree for OEM from Mississippi State University.  After three long years of homework, tests, and quizzes – I will finally be wrapping up this program from Mississippi State.  Encouraged by several of my friends including the great Kent King I started the program in 2006.  I had no idea how much work it would be.  I had no thought on how quickly three years would pass.

Kent taught me that no matter how big or small the dream – no matter how difficult the task – no matter how long it takes – you have to finish what you start.  You stay in school.  You keep learning.

Kent knew the extreme personal battles that I fought to overcome during the late 1990s and early 2000s and never blinked, showed concern over believing in me, or reason to allow those battles to stand in the way of what I wanted to do or what he saw me doing.  He simply said don’t worry about it – we all make mistakes and we all fight personal battles.  Don’t rubberneck at your mistakes – keep moving forward.

So here we are.  It is 2009.  Kent has sadly left us and is now watching over the weather from a much higher position than any of us.  And I am still clicking the radio button and telling spotters what my radar is showing.

I will be leaving for Mississippi today to finish my college reviews.  Then I have one large test to finish the program out.  Hopefully by the middle of the month I will be finished.  Instead of my title being Meteorological Specialist – which is the title Kent gave me – I will finally be able to sign my forecasts "meteorologist".  That was his idea.  I guess he believed that would be my encouragement.  And he was right!

I think Kent would be proud.  As proud as I am excited.

I think my friends in Canada and here in America – and all of my family will be happy, as well.  They have all encouraged me – cheered me on – helped me reach my goal!  One more goal almost completed!!!!! 

I will be off the radio through next Thursday.

Beau Dodson
Meteorological Specialist for the McCracken County Office Of Emergency Management