December 1 , 2016 The SEGway News Page 3
December 1 , 2016 The SEGway News Page 3
Personality Chip and Verna Jaggers : Widespread involvement
With the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony just a few days away , we ’ d like to take this week to introduce you to this year ’ s tree lighters !
Chip and Verna Jaggers have been enthusiastic and generous supporters of the Upland Community for 44 years now . After spending their childhoods in large cities , they shared some of their favorite aspects of living in a smaller town . “ Upland is a lifestyle community ,” Chip shared , “ walking , biking , neighborly interactions — people know each other here .”
Verna , Chip ’ s wife of 46 years expressed similar sentiments . “ Being in Upland is like stepping back in time , because here we can just enjoy the people we are with .”
Together , Chip and Verna have touched many lives in Upland with their widespread involvement . They recall moving to town 44 years ago and declaring , “ If this is going to be home , we ’ re going to jump in with both feet !”
Verna began teaching in the Elementary Schools in town in 1982 , and has touched countless lives since then . She shared the beauty that it is to watch her students grow up and begin their own families — many choosing to raise their children right here where they grew up ! “ You can see the proof that this is a wonderful place to raise a family because younger families continue to move back to the place they grew up .”
Though Verna is no longer teaching her beloved first grade classes , she continues to pour her time into providing excellent opportunities for the children of the community as she sits on the board for the Kiddie Campus Preschool program as an early childhood specialist advisor .
Chip shared his love for the students of the community as well , but the students Chip has worked with a are a bit older . For 24 years , Chip worked at Taylor University , spending 13 years working in
Student Development , and 9 working with Taylor Alumni .
What some may not know is that Chip is a Taylor Alumnus himself . “ Back in my college days , I remember thinking how neat Upland was . Back then , even students did their laundry at the local Laundromat , so I got a chance to begin participating in the town even then .”
Chip ’ s involvement in the town has grown since his college days , and he ’ s been involved in a variety of efforts to improve and celebrate the town . Since 1996 , Chip has sat on the Town Council . He has served as the Planning Officer and worked with his community as they develop and execute master plans for the town .
In his efforts with Our Town Upland , Chip helped to
raise the funds and support to bring the Train Depot back to Upland . From this stemmed the whole inspiration for Olde Tyme Christmas , and the very tree-lighting that we will observe this Sunday !
Chip and Verna are so touched as they were chosen as honorary Tree-Lighters this year . “ We just feel so so honored and surprised !” Verna expressed , “ This event brings people together with long time history and it brings young families into a sense of belonging . It ’ s incredible that we can all come together as a town to celebrate .”
Chip too , shared how impacted he was , “ I got choked up when I received the call asking us to light the tree . I know how past tree-lighters have been chosen , and I know what it means to be chosen . It is an unexpected honor .”
Chip and Verna ’ s involvement in this community come from a deep love for the people here and a desire to see these values preserved . “ We want this town to continue to find ways to allow people to meet each other . It ’ s important because society is not always going in that direction ,” Verna shared , “ but it ’ s worth it !”
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