Asheville Citizen-Times from Asheville, North Carolina • Page 17

ASHEVII.LE CITIZEN-TIMES TV ry A Section lb MOUNTAINS Metro Editor Bnan Ponder, 232-5883 or I III UMIAV Al'kll I I ir. I I Institute: Child toilers lei go too early til "'Jit Proposed law would allow longer sentences for slayings of children News and briefs from around the region GUGGENHEIMS FOR WARREN WlLSON Peter Turchi, director of the Warren Wilson College MFA Program for Writers, is one of four of the graduate program's writing faculty to receive 2005 fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. office announced a new protocol for child death investigations that might result in better evidence collection, which likely would lead to convictions for higher crimes murder instead of manslaughter and longer sentences. "It will improve communication among the agencies that deal with child death investigations," said Lisa May-hew of the state Medical Examiner's office. "If a call comes into EMS about an unresponsive child, law enforcement and the medical examiner's office will be notified immediately." Please see ABUSE on C3 the case resolutions of 24 suspected perpetrators in 23 child abuse deaths in North Carolina in 1998.

Of those, more than half of the perpetrators received less than five years in jail, and five were never even charged with a crime. The Citizen-Times reported on those findings in December and on the recommendation that a new, more specific statute child abuse homicide or felony child abuse resulting in death be added to the state's homicide statutes. At the press conference, the N.C. Medical Examiner's Web Extra To read a copy of the N.C. Child Advocacy Institute report, "Criminal Consequences of Child Abuse Homicides," visit www.ncchild.org collateraldamage.pdf.

Stories like Moeller's are too common, said Barbara Bradley, executive director of the N.C. Child Advocacy Institute. The institute did a study, formally released at a press conference Wednesday morning in Raleigh, that looked at Wednesday. "I didn't know anything about it until the police came looking for my husband. They told me what he had done." For his crime, her husband was given a maximum sentence of three years and five months in jail, three years' probation and was ordered to pay Moeller back for Adam's funeral expenses.

"I'll never get over Adam's death, and he's walking free already," Moeller said. By Leslie Boyd STAFF WHITER ASHEVILLE Renee Moeller was at work when her husband of one month gave her 2-year-old son, Adam, a mixed drink. Hours later, Adam was dead, asphyxiated by his own vomit. After Adam died, Moeller didn't even know there was a possibility he had been abused. "I thought Adam had had a flu Moeller said Other Warren Wilson MFA faculty recipients include fiction writers Jim Shepard and David Shields and poet Marianne Boruch, who also is a member of the MFA academic board.

The fellowship winners this year include 186 artists, scholars and scientists se- Former Brevard College president dies at 65 lected from more than 3,000 applicants in 79 fields, from the natural sciences to the creative arts, for awards totaling $7,112,000. Guggenheim Fellows are appointed on the basis of distinguished achievement in the past and exceptional promise for future ac-cpmplishment. Turchi is the author of four books, including the recently published "Maps of the Imagination: The Writer as Car- tographer," which is in its second printing. He has directed and taught fiction in Warren Wilson College's prestigious writing program since 1993. Turchi's Guggenheim Fellowship proposal is to complete a collection of short stories as well as a new book of essays on writing.

Kind-Hearted girls rJrt TfaiiJflM6iii.i.,;)f By Lindsay Nash sff whiter BREVARD Brevard College President Emeritus Dr. J. William Moncrief, known as a passionate photographer, a supporter of the arts and a lover of life, died April 8 at age 65. 9 Mtifpgi' 3tL at Moncrief became Brevard College's interim president in July 2001 before being named president in November 2001. He retired as presi Moncrief iii.i..,rHiJr"r f.y Uaaatr.

a--- i-tm '-TTr-f OettiriP-' Ready for the Rapids dent in September 2002. "He was an amazing person," said Angelita assistant director of public relations at the college and close friend of Moncrief's. "He was just a wonderful human being who cared so much for all of us here. It's heart-breaking to know I'm not going to see him again." Moncrief died unexpectedly in an accident. Moncrief brought to Brevard College 35 years of 1 academic and administrative experience in higher education, including stints at Harvard University, Amherst College and Emory University.

He also held positions at Presbyterian College in South Carolina and Lyon College in Arkansas. Please see MONCRIEF on C3 ABOVE: Matt Collis of Weaverville, foreground, and John Hogan of Fairview glide through the water during the Rapid Roll School-Beginner Kayak Lessons offered by Buncombe County Parks Recreation at Skyland Recreation Center pool. Photos by John CouUakissTAFF photographer Daxton Bacalman, left, and Matt Schillig give equipment instructions during the Rapid Roll School-Beginner Kayak Lessons. Here's an e-mail and photo that was sent to a newsroom staffer from Matthew Hinckle of Asheville: "This is a heart-warming story. A 9-year-old girl named Madison was so touched by the tsunami news that she felt like she had to do something.

She asked me if she could hold a bake sale and raise money for the people who were suffering. She was particularly concerned with the children who had lost their parents. The Asheville Racquet Club was gracious enough to let her hold the bake sale on a busy night so she, along with her younger sister and friend, baked all day the day before. They set up a jar with their baked goods and told everyone they were giving their earnings to Samaritan's Purse to help the tsunami victims. For four hours they stood and sold their goodies until they reached $120 at the end of the night.

Exhausted, they counted every dime, folded up their stand and knew they had made enough to help many people buy food. Not only did they succeed in their mission, but they touched so many people with their generous, pure hearts. I wish we all could love that purely as adults. We need more stories like this. "The kids names were, Alexa Odom, Madison Odom, and Aixa Hinckle." Blue-Ribbon Ballgame Child Abuse Prevention Services Inc.

staff and volunteers will hand out blue ribbons at the gate of the Asheville Tourists game Friday to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month. Before the game, they'll take to the field to pin a large blue ribbon on Ted the Tourists' mascot, and thank the Tourists and fans. Abi Shook will actually pin the blue on Ted assisted by Em-ilie Hayes. "Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Blue Ribbon for Kids campaign is about increasing public awareness, encouraging involvement in prevention and demonstrating a community commitment to protect and do the best we can for all children the future of tomorrow," said Bill McGuire of Child Abuse Prevention Services Inc. "We really appreciate Ron McKee, Larry Hawkins and the Tourists' help." For information or to become a volunteer, donor or friend of Child Abuse Prevention Services, call 254-2000 or write to 50 S.

French Broad Suite 152, Asheville, NC 28801 or e-mail: childadvocacybuncombe.main.nc.us. South African writer inspires Christ School students Want to go? By Amy Miller STAFF WRITER Bill SanderssTAFF photographer South African writer Mark Mathabane talked with Jasper Schlump and other students at Christ School about his experiences growing up amid dire poverty during apartheid. hope, he really does." Born to destitute parents whose $io-a-week wage could not pay the rent for their shack or put food on the table, Mathabane spent his childhood in a l-square-mile ghetto that was home to more than 200,000 blacks. Poverty and the relentless humiliation of apartheid drove him to the brink of sui-c jde at the age of 10. But tennis, his mother's support and a love of learning were Mathabane's passport out of the ghetto.

In 1978, with the help 011972 Wimbledon champion Stan Smith, Mathabane left to attend a U.S. university on a scholarship. Today, his book "Kaffir Boy" is required reading at middle and high schools across the country. It took two years to get Mathabane to Christ School, said Kirk Brown, the school's chaplain. He had heard Mathabane speak and said his students had to hear him, too.

"I felt myself burning with the truth of what he had to say," Brown said. Jasper Schlump, an ex- ASHEVILLE When Mark Mathabane autographs one of his books, he turns it upside down. When he was growing up in an impoverished South African ghetto, teachers beat students for bad penmanship, the best-selling author said. But if Mathabane wrote upside down, teachers couldn't sneak up behind him to inspect his work. They had to face him.

That way, he'd know when the rod was coming down. Learning to confront fear was one of many life lessons Mathabane, author of the award -winning autobiography "Kaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth's Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa," shared with students at Christ School on Wednesday. Kaffir is. a derogatory term for a black person used in South Africa. "I just want to remind young people not to forget the lessons of our common humanity." Mathabane said.

'They must strive to make a difference in the lives of others, Mark Mathabane is scheduled to speak at 7 tonight In the Canon Lounge of Warren Wilson College's Gladfelter Student Center. His topic will be "Our Common Humanity." The event is free. For information, call Fitz Legerton, director of church relations, at 771-2038. particularly those less fortunate. It's the only way to justify the privilege of a school like this." Students eagerly soaked up Mathabane's words as he shared his life story and perspective on the world.

After a formal speech, students crowded around a lunch table, vying for a free chair as Mathabane ate lunch. One or two students paused as they swept the cafeteria floor, hoping to catch a word or two as they finished their chore. "He brought tears to my eves he was so powerful." said senior Daniel Richmond of Charlotte. He symbolizes up for the truth, whatever the cost. They must refuse to follow the masses.

"Be wary of a comfortable life," Mathabane told students. "It won't teach you much. It is the discomfort that opens your eyes. It will make you grow. You will be different.

I would rather spend 10 years growing than 100 years vegetating." Contact Milk at 232-5922 or change student from Munich, Germany, said the book and Mathabane's visit had inspired him to consider spending a year in Africa working to help the poor after he graduates. "Money is good," Schlump said. "But I want to be there." That was good news to Mathabane, who said he believes people must seek out discomfort and challenges in their lives to make the world a better place. They must stand READERjo feedbg9K Do you have a comment or tip about a story? See that story on and click on the link at the story end. American tire The Furniture Market arcaLounger 468 Weaverville Hwy Income Tax fund Sale 7 Refund Take 1923 to New Stock Exit then turn right Save Big And Pay No Sales Tax 1 Mon-Sat 10am-6pm Sunday 1-5pm LJ Thru April 15, 2005 828-658-4333 MONTHS SAME AS CASH, Ask abput Our LayawayJProgram No Delivery Charge for Buncombe Suitouij jallable 1.