November 2017
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EQUESTRIAN NEWS<br />
Bright spot after the storm<br />
by Donice Muccio<br />
The aftermath of Hurricane<br />
Irma in Broward County was<br />
nothing compared to the rest<br />
of the state, including the beautiful<br />
Florida Keys, but it was and still is<br />
a mess to clean up the damage left<br />
behind.<br />
We were certainly spared in our<br />
community, after what seemed like a<br />
radar pointed straight for our area.<br />
Having a horse farm caused us<br />
tremendous stress and worry regarding the potential<br />
threat to our beautiful animals. Where do we move so<br />
many animals to safety?<br />
Because of the threat to the entire state, one could potentially<br />
run right into the eye of the storm. Sadly, we heard of people<br />
that did just that.<br />
After much thought and fretting, we decided to stay put,<br />
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Colton Haab, left, and Jonathan Echevarria help clear away debris after Hurricane Irma.<br />
Photo by Donice Muccio<br />
spending several days before the storm putting away anything<br />
that could be a dangerous missile. We then spent another<br />
day assessing the damage, having no power, and hoping to<br />
be up and operational as quickly as possible. Thanks to great<br />
friends, the clean-up job before and after went smoothly.<br />
What happened the day after the storm was a miracle for us.<br />
A student of ours asked if we needed help in removing the<br />
debris left behind. She had high school friends that might be<br />
willing to help. After considering whether they would actually<br />
be more of a hindrance than help, we agreed to let the boys<br />
come to the rescue and give them a try.<br />
An amazing thing happened. These young men could<br />
actually work. They both knew how to safely operate<br />
a tractor and chainsaw, place a strap on a fallen tree<br />
or stump and pull it out, all with ease.<br />
Colton Haab and Jonathan Echevarria were our surprise<br />
heroes. In a world of teens, or adults for that matter, staring<br />
at phone texts and slowly moping around aimlessly trying<br />
to figure the task at hand, they were professionals in every<br />
way. They did not take break after break or waste time<br />
by constantly staring at their phones. It was a shocking<br />
experience for us. Seriously, not joking. This was very hard<br />
work, but they made it seem easy.<br />
Both of these young men go to Douglas High and are<br />
in the Junior ROTC. They obviously have learned life<br />
skills and work ethics that will serve them well. We<br />
cannot say enough wonderful things about Colton<br />
and Jonathan.<br />
Their future plans are to proudly serve our country after<br />
graduating from high school. Colton will serve in the Coast<br />
Guard or Marines and Jonathan has plans to join the Navy.<br />
We could not be more proud of them; in getting to know them<br />
we have found them both to be exceptional in all that they do.<br />
By the way, they are polite, listen to instruction, and can clean<br />
a stall. What a bonus for us.<br />
Thanks, boys.<br />
92<br />
NOVEMBER <strong>2017</strong>
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