Some community citizens are trying to raise enough money to fund a chair in
her memory. Kvien spent countless hours teaching Spanish and reading to
young students in our area. The chair would provide grant money for programs
in the area of family reading, a worthy cause that is at the center of
Tifton’s designation of “Reading Capital of the World” status.

     With no solicitation in the community and only through word of mouth, the
fund has already collected around $11,000 on its way to the $25,000 needed
to start the endowment. This is a great start and it would be appropriate
that it has a fantastic finish, exceeding the goal that has been laid out.
Those who worked with Kvien remember her focus on the big picture and the
tireless hours she put in without ever being asked.

     We might not see the effects of this work now, but we will over the coming
years. What she did on her own made many of our schoolchildren brighter and
more eager to learn. That is a gift that will multiply in our area for a
long, long time. It would be a wonderful thing if we do our part to make
sure that learning continues.