Like co-workers around the world the hosts of the network’s morning news shows participated in a seasonal gift exchange this week. I got to watch most of it and found it quite amusing. On NBC’s “Today” show Matt, Meredith, Ann and Al gave each other fruit and vegetable baskets, state-of-the-art luggage, racecar driving lessons, tote bags, yoga lessons and cooking lessons.
Meanwhile, on ABC’s “Good Morning America” the gift exchange was a bit more, um, tearful. Here’s why: this year Diane Sawyer was the Secret Santa for her co-host Robin Roberts. But, instead of getting her a day at the spa or a new puppy Sawyer decided her gift would be a four-year scholarship for a student from Pass Christian High School, where Roberts graduated, to Southeastern Louisiana University, where Roberts earned her college degree.
According to Sawyer, the scholarship will be awarded to a yet-to-be-named student at Pass Christian’s graduation in the spring.
“I’ve been carrying on so wildly about not giving ‘things’ anymore,” Sawyer said. “So I’m not going to give a ‘thing.’ This is for you.”
Once Sawyer was able to choke out the words she and Roberts let the tears fall.
“Education is so important to my family,” Roberts told Sawyer. “We’ve established foundations and scholarships. You’re going to change somebody’s life. You’re amazing.”
For those of you who don’t know, Pass Christian High School (Roberts’ alma mater) was hit with 18 feet of water and nearly everything inside was ruined when Hurricane Katrina hit in August of 2005. According to Roberts, students were forced to attend class in a nearby elementary school building for an entire school year. When the high school building reopened in October 2006, enrollment had dropped to 470 – about 150 fewer students than before the storm.
Not a bad gift idea—wouldn’t you agree?
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