Tags: I see it this way! Heritage Shores Bridgville De E.W. Faircloth photography photographer entertainment Spanish French Creole English hope Junior Bernard John Barr motivation motivational speaker poverty Haiti

Junior Bernard, motivational speaker on left, is presented a Seaford High School T-shirt by John Barr in December of 2015 during its monthly Lunch and Learn session. Bernard encouraged students to believe in themselves and not give up on their dreams. Bernard, a recent graduate of Alvernia University, talked abut how he came to the United States from Haiti after the 2010  earthquake in his home country. He spoke about learning English, getting his GED and being accepted into college. There's much more to Bernard's story.  He grew up with his family in poverty while living in Haiti.  They lived in a one room house with a dirt floor, no running water, or bathroom.  The cooking was done outside.  By chance, fate, luck, divine intervention, or etc. he met John Barr's son and  grandson in 2008, while working as an interpreter.  John's son, Bill, was so impressed by Junior, saw so much potential that he would invite Junior to his home in the US to help him with his education.  Bill's wife agreed and arrangements were made to get Junior in the States. When Junior arrived, he was tested and found to have a fourth grade education. Still, he studied a 750-page GED book day and night, then in 5 months passed every section of the test. He would get a scholarship to Alvernia  University and graduate in December of 2014. He speaks English, French, Spanish and Creole. Needless to day, he is also a part of the Barr family.