Jeremiah Stanton-Rich, The Watauga County Program Director of Mountain Alliance, has left Mountain Alliance and moved on to Appalachian State University. While his departure is a sparkling sign of a new beginning, it also deeply affects many members of the Mountain Alliance community.
Junior Alexis Edgerton, went on a trip connected with Mountain Alliance: Rolling Academy.
“I have gone on Rolling Academy and too many individual trips to count and discovered a whole lot about myself as a person,” said Edgerton.
Stanton-Rich’s presence on the trip motivated Edgerton to go on more Mountain Alliance trips, and, in turn, realize the amazing guy that he is.
“He was an incredibly kind and understanding person, and everybody who knew him had so many positive things to say about him,” Edgerton said.
David Eller, a sophomore, also went on Rolling Academy with Stanton-Rich as a group leader.
“The summer of my freshman year, I went to Rolling Academy, [an] absolutely amazing adventure across the U.S. I cannot describe how incredible it was,” said Eller. “Jeremiah is just an outstanding guy. He is always there for his students and is there to support them when they need him, but he certainly knows how to poke fun and keep things light. He treats everyone with an incredible amount of respect and kindness and is just a lovable guy.”
Jeremiah helped grow the Mountain Alliance program here at Watauga, not only with his outgoing and fun personality, but with generosity and sweet treats.
“Jeremiah was the first person from Mountain Alliance I ever interacted with. I was a freshman and I was really scared to join any new clubs," said Edgerton, “but he managed to convince me because he made Mountain Alliance look fun and I got a piece of free candy from it.”
Eller had a strong connection with Stanton-Rich, and his departure certainly affected him.
“He has been an important part of my life and many others,” said Eller. “To see him leaving has been heartbreaking but, at the same time, such a joyful time as he moves on to his next chapter.”
Edgerton’s heart had been touched by Jeremiah and his wonderful personality.
“Jeremiah cares about all of us, and, in big and small moments, he supported us,” said Edgerton. “He urged us to try new things and made everyone I know feel welcome at Mountain Alliance.”
It’s safe to say that Jeremiah Stanton-Rich will always be remembered fondly by the people with whom he spent so much of his life for so long.
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