Son to Paddle 1100 Miles in Honor of New Iberia Military and NISH Educator Hero, the late K.L Hester

May 26, 2009 - PRLog -- Paddling for a Purpose (http://paddlingforapurpose.blogspot.com) links two rural communities in a unique and powerful way. The project’s roots began in New Iberia, LA.  Bill Hester, native son of New Iberia, will paddle 1,100 miles from Bryson City, North Carolina to Mobile, Alabama this summer to raise funds to establish a scholarship in his father’s name. His father is the late K.L. Hester, former Air Force Lt. Colonel and former NISH teacher.

“My father’s strong advocacy of the public schools system and his belief in empowering youth enabled his students to excel and follow their dreams. This scholarship fund is a way to continue that legacy through helping other students achieve their educational goals.”

Son Bill Hester is also an educator, like his father before him. Bill grew up in New Iberia, where he developed his passion for paddling, and participated on New Iberia's Marathon Canoe Racing Team. Bill moved to western North Carolina after college to pursue whitewater paddling and ultimately become an educator. The unique Paddling for a Purpose Project links two communities through father and son, by their shared passion for educating youth. The Paddling for a Purpose project establishes a scholarship (in Lt. Colonel Hester’s name) for Swain County, NC students to pursue college degrees. The unique 30-day journey honors and highlights Lt. Colonel’s contributions to his family, his country, and his military and educator professions.

Keete L. Hester was an American military hero and hero to his family. He graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1952 and later earned a Masters in Aerospace Engineering. He received many awards and medals during his distinguished military service and retired as Lt. Colonel in 1976. His second career was as a passionate educator, leading a Jr. ROTC squadron and teaching high school math at NISH.

Bill will continue a regular blog during his paddling journey, and update his GPS location so followers can watch his progress. He begins paddling in the Little Tennessee River and connects with the Tennessee River and on into the Tenn-Tom Waterway and Tombigbee River.  Continuing south, Bill expects to cover the 1,100 miles in approximately 30 days, arriving in Mobile Alabama in mid July.

To find out more about Paddling for a Purpose and to donate, visit Paddling for a Purpose (http://paddlingforapurpose.blogspot.com). All proceeds will go to the Swain County Public Schools Foundation, a non profit, 501(c)3, tax deductible foundation. Also visit http://Twitter.com/paddlepurpose for more information.

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Paddling for A Purpose is a unique solo paddling journey created by Bill Hester in memory of his father, the late Lt. Colonel K.L. Hester, to raise funds for college scholarships and honor his father’s contributions to family, country, and community. The project brings together diverse communities from the worlds of father and son, including New Iberia LA, Bryson City NC, the military, the teaching profession, paddling as a healthy lifestyle sport, and recognizes the importance of higher education for today’s youth.
http://paddlingforapurpose.blogspot.com