About Cole


	“A greater understanding of life’s deeper events is only fully acquired by taking time out and appreciating life’s small events. Carpe Diem!!!” The First Morning of the Rest of My Life, May 16th, 2007 Cole Thomas Ballay
Greetings, The above words were written by Cole at age 16. On a cold day in February of this year, he was involved in a tragic accident after leaving school, and his life was suddenly ended. Cole was in his junior year at Germantown Academy where he developed many friendships and an appreciation for scholastic pursuits. He continued to maintain and expand associations within his surrounding communities. Cole enjoyed and appreciated people, and strode to experience life to the fullest at every opportunity. He was a hardworking optimist, yet subject to the fragility of being human. Mrs. Honeycutt, a teacher at G.A. said of Cole, “Cole made us laugh – a lot...sigh in wonder, at a perfectly executed pass or a beautifully turned phrase in an essay or wonderfully moving poem...Cole made us cheer. Not only for the goal that won the game but also for other victories won against odds. ….for his acknowledging when he needed help and asking for it, for his courage to stay with a task even when he was exhausted, for admitting to his limitations and then not letting them limit him.” Cole was seriously involved in soccer with high level club teams, which enabled him to foster friendships spanning the Eastern seaboard, across the United States and beyond. He stated, “Throughout my relatively short life of seventeen years, I have always prided myself in possessing a prowess and unrelenting determination in athletics, especially with my intense passion, soccer. Fueled by love, for its intricate beauties and multiple layers, I consider every kind of exposure to the game an important learning experience, crucial to my development and obsessive striving for excellence.” We, who love Cole, wish to pay tribute to his humanity, and to other young individuals who likewise “seize the day”, affect and infect those around them with their vigor, by establishing memorial funds in his name. More specific information about these funds appears on the following pages. Please take a moment to review these opportunities to support this goal. Your time and consideration of contributing to one of these and/or to our fundraising event are greatly appreciated. *“Carpe Diem”,* *Nan, Tom Ballay, Cole’s family and friends*

“A greater understanding of life’s deeper events is only fully acquired by taking time out and appreciating life’s small events. Carpe Diem!!!”

The First Morning of the Rest of My Life,
May 16th, 2007
Cole Thomas Ballay

Greetings,

The above words were written by Cole at age 16. On a cold day in February of this year, he was involved in a tragic accident after leaving school, and his life was suddenly ended.

Cole was in his junior year at Germantown Academy where he developed many friendships and an appreciation for scholastic pursuits. He continued to maintain and expand associations within his surrounding communities. Cole enjoyed and appreciated people, and strode to experience life to the fullest at every opportunity. He was a hardworking optimist, yet subject to the fragility of being human.

Mrs. Honeycutt, a teacher at G.A. said of Cole, “Cole made us laugh – a lot...sigh in wonder, at a perfectly executed pass or a beautifully turned phrase in an essay or wonderfully moving poem...Cole made us cheer. Not only for the goal that won the game but also for other victories won against odds. ….for his acknowledging when he needed help and asking for it, for his courage to stay with a task even when he was exhausted, for admitting to his limitations and then not letting them limit him.”

Cole was seriously involved in soccer with high level club teams, which enabled him to foster friendships spanning the Eastern seaboard, across the United States and beyond. He stated, “Throughout my relatively short life of seventeen years, I have always prided myself in possessing a prowess and unrelenting determination in athletics, especially with my intense passion, soccer. Fueled by love, for its intricate beauties and multiple layers, I consider every kind of exposure to the game an important learning experience, crucial to my development and obsessive striving for excellence.”

We, who love Cole, wish to pay tribute to his humanity, and to other young individuals who likewise “seize the day”, affect and infect those around them with their vigor, by establishing memorial funds in his name. More specific information about these funds appears on the following pages. Please take a moment to review these opportunities to support this goal. Your time and consideration of contributing to one of these and/or to our fundraising event are greatly appreciated.

“Carpe Diem”,

Nan, Tom Ballay, Cole’s family and friends