James Fedderman had to overcome one obstacle after another on the way to receiving his Longwood degree last December.
      Fedderman grew up poor on the Eastern Shore, was labeled learning disabled until the 9th grade, and had to scrape up the money for voice lessons in high school and for his Longwood music audition. Teachers from his high school, parents of teachers, and an assistant principal helped pay for his Longwood education.
     He repaid their faith in him, graduating with a B.A. in music and a GPA of over 3.3. He was a member of Mortar Board, Kappa Delta Pi education honor fraternity, the Camerata Singers, and Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity. He also sang the alma mater at December Commencement and was featured in a lengthy article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch shortly before graduating.
     He is already working on a master's degree in educational evaluation from the University of Virginia ­ he attends U.Va.'s off-campus center in Virginia Beach ­ and plans to earn a doctorate and work with at-risk students. Since January he has taught music at Pungoteague Elementary in his native Accomack County and is living back home in Withams.
     
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