New American is a CASA volunteer

Ulkar Turabova, left, with Kellie Soden, are both CASA volunteers. Gene Morris/McCook Gazette

By Gene O. Morris

McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Ulkar Turabova, who grew up in the city of Baku, Azerbaijan, fell in love with America six years ago after moving to Texas to attend college. In the years since then, Ulkar's life has changed dramatically. She fell in love and married John Lanier, then came to McCook with him when he accepted employment in this area.

Adaptiing quickly, Ulkar found fulfillment, career-wise, as the administrative assistant to Russ DeLong, the manager of the Valmont plant in McCook.

In addition -- and this is very special -- Ulkar is a CASA volunteer. In case you haven't heard, CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. The work the CASA volunteers do is wonderful. They advocate for children in the court system, looking out for the youth who have been abused and neglected by adults in their home involved in criminal activity.

My wife, Barbara, was the former director of Prairie Plains CASA. Through her work, I know the tremendous difference that CASA makes in people's lives. I congratulate Ulkar on becoming a CASA volunteer and commend her for setting an example for others.

CASA recently received a $15,000 grant from the McCook Elks Lodge. It's good to hear that Ulkar and her CASA coordinator, Kellie Soden, and other CASA volunteers are stepping up their efforts, making sure that the $15,000 gift is extending CASA's impact on abused and neglected youth in Southwest Nebraska.

You can join the CASA team. To do so, start by calling Catherine McDowell, the CASA director, at 308-345-5238. She will tell you about a new CASA training class, which will be starting very shortly. It's noble work and is much needed by children whose lives have been torn asunder by the criminal conduct of adults in their home.