I grew up in Pax, West Virginia – born and raised West Virginia boy. Currently, I’m doing a lot of freelancing… I have been to New York Fashion Week many times. I’ve stood beside Anna Wintour, met Tory Burch. I just love the self-expression. I think growing up as a queer person in a rural area, fashion was a way to express myself and be different… I love the community [in the Greenbrier Valley]. I think I have such an amazing group of friends… Growing up in Appalachia, you learn a lot about yourself, about what it means to work hard, especially when you come from essentially nothing, and kind of work your butt off to make something of yourself… But, honestly, I would say I’m the most influential person in my own life. I have learned a lot about myself… I’ve inspired myself and done so many cool things that I never thought I would be able to do. I think I’m my own biggest cheerleader and my own biggest influence… Be yourself. You can’t give to others unless you’re living your own authentic life and loving yourself.
Keaton Burton (Ronceverte, WV)
[PHOTO] – attached in email
Sam Lewis (left) ; Danny Cook (right)
We’re trying to get folks to understand that things in the world are changing quickly, and that we all, as human beings, need spiritual guidance. If you want truth from the Bible, you have to study the Bible… Jehovah’s Witnesses are all over the world; there’s more than nine million of us doing this work… We love people, and we want to share the truth. And that’s our main reason for coming out here, regardless of the heat… Love for people… And people who come to our Kingdom Hall don’t get judged. They find love, acceptance… because as long as we do God’s will, we’ll all be fine.
Danny Cook (Price Spring, WV)
I’m 84. I converted back in 2020. I was searching for the truth. All I had to do was look around. This beautiful earth that we live on… Someone created all of this. It’s just beautiful. It just didn’t happen by chance… So, I wanted to find out more about who the creator was… You’ve heard what the rumors are. But we’re not a cult. And people who come to us listen.
Sam Lewis (Fairlea, WV)
