FEATURE
FEATURE
Is it a bird ? Is it a plane ? It ’ s a ... duck !
MANY HAVE ENQUIRED , “ WHAT ’ S UP WITH THE DUCK ?” SIT BACK , RELAX AND LEARN WHY A SMALL SKETCHING OF A DUCK IS HERE TO SAVE THE WORLD IN A VERY BIG WAY .
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Stephen C . Parish , Jr . was someone you would want to know . He was an individual who had many gifts and talents , impeccable integrity and character . He was a gifted artist and singer , who expressed himself with every performance and in each picture he drew . Steve loved to draw what is now known as “ Steve ’ s Duck ” – an eclectic pencil drawing of a duck that best depicts Steve ’ s originality . Steve believed in giving back , volunteering and in doing the unthinkable . He would put everyone first and was someone who made you a better person for having him in your life . His dreams to make a change in this world tragically came to an end on March 22 2009 . The heart wrenching loss suffered by his parents Rhonda and Randy Burch was shared by all who knew Steve . At a poignant memorial service held by Pace University , thousands of stickers of Steve ’ s Duck were passed out to the attendees , and in true New York City style , the memory of Steve was beginning to be carried on . New York , the originator of the modern graffiti , also known as “ tagging ”, would become the start of tagging the world with Steve ’ s memory . All were encouraged to tag Steve ’ s Duck across New York City ( in classrooms , on bridges , favourite
STEVE LOVED TO DRAW WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS “ STEVE ’ S DUCK ” – AN ECLECTIC PENCIL DRAWING OF A DUCK THAT BEST DEPICTS STEVE ’ S ORIGINALITY . restaurants and airports ), spreading his memory everywhere they went . Not long after the memorial service , the idea of tagging Steve with his duck took off . Steve ’ s family and friends began tagging the world . As they travelled , stickers were placed by those whose lives he touched wherever they would go . Steve ’ s Duck has been to the mountains in California , to sunny Florida , Colorado and back to his college dorm from his freshman year . It has travelled the world and is tagged in Mexico , Paris and Brazil . The reason behind the phenomenal success of tagging Steve ’ s Duck is due to the fact that Steve was such a beloved character whose aim was to make a difference . Who was Steve who inspired a world movement ? Steve was someone who could do it all . In high school , he was a camp counsellor at Camp MiBroBe where he helped students develop skills to survive on their own and without the supervision of their parents . He was in every theatre production , a member of Key Club , participated in Mock Trial and was honoured with the Philanthropic Youth award by Case Western Reserve . From teaching autistic children at Teach for America to devoting his life to help poverty stricken youngsters , Steve was making a massive impact on spreading positive messages during his travels
94 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE USA