Friday, April 11, 2025
He found his voice — with help from his mom
This Georgia mail handler has a turn in the ‘American Idol’ spotlight
A mail handler at the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center in Palmetto, GA, recently advanced to the second round of the current season of “American Idol.”
Brajawn Upshaw, 22, auditioned in Nashville for the musical talent contest show.
“I grew up singing,” he said. “It’s just something I had inside me.”
Singing became a form of expression for Upshaw and a source of inspiration — and comfort — for his family and friends. When his father was ill, Upshaw sang for him in the hospital and later performed at his funeral.
Despite his talent, Upshaw lacked confidence in his abilities.
“I doubted myself a lot, and I held myself back,” he said.
His mother, Tosha Dia — a distribution operations supervisor at the Atlanta RP&DC — signed him up for the “American Idol” audition.
“I had to push him,” she said.
Upshaw went on to the show’s second round after having received “yes” votes from judges Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan. Lionel Richie gave him a “no” vote, though.
Although he was eventually eliminated, his performance is part of the March 16 episode of “American Idol,” which can be streamed on Hulu.
Since appearing on the show, he has been collaborating with other musicians and hopes to eventually land a recording contract.
“I pray that I will do my best during this whole ‘American Idol’ experience,” he said. “I want to make my family proud and show my mom that she was right.”
People
A big delivery
Employees help a customer celebrate his birthday, a postmaster begins a new gig and a rural carrier receives a final salute
Employees at the Antigo, WI, Post Office had a bit of extra mail to deliver to one of their customers last month — more than 13,000 cards, letters and packages.
They were destined for decorated World War II combat veteran Reuben Kolpack of nearby Birnamwood.
Prior to his birthday in March, one of his granddaughters wanted to solicit birthday cards from 104 people — one for every year of Kolpack’s life.
She posted her request on social media and word spread quickly.
Boxes at the Antigo Post Office filled up fast with cards, letters and packages, some with mail that had come from as far away as Australia and the Netherlands.
“I have a lot of good things and a lot of good memories,” Kolpack said. “I’m so glad I could serve.”
A USPS mainstay in the U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Thomas, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, has a new postmaster — and he may be a familiar face to many in the area’s postal community.
That’s because David O. Stevens has worked for the Postal Service in the Caribbean for nearly 40 years.
The St. Croix, VI, native began as a retail associate and has held several leadership positions, including customer services supervisor, customer services manager and officer in charge. He also managed daily delivery and retail at St. Thomas’s Main Post Office and four satellite stations.
Carlos E. Del Toro, the Postal Service’s Puerto Rico-Caribbean District manager, administered the oath of office to Stevens.
A show of respect
After Mooresville, IN, Rural Carrier Travis Green died last month, his colleagues received permission to drive along his route and past his mother’s house. A video of the postal procession later went viral on social media.
Green, 56, worked for the Postal Service for 36 years.
Merv Hendricks, a local newspaper columnist, penned a tribute to the beloved Postal Service employee headlined “The final delivery.”
“Travis Green did so much more than deliver mail. He delivered jokes and smiles,” Hendricks wrote.
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News Quiz
Dots, dashes and a line
Do you remember Samuel Morse’s first telegraph message?
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end.
1. What was the first message sent by Samuel Morse from Washington, DC, to Baltimore by his electromagnetic telegraph in 1844?
a) “Full speed ahead.”
b) “Meet me in St. Louis.”
c) “Send more whiskey.”
d) “What hath God wrought?”
2. On two different occasions on the same highway in Pulaski, WI, Rural Carrier Kerry Honrath came to the aid of distressed drivers. How much time elapsed between these events?
a) One week
b) Two months
c) Six months
d) One year
3. True or false: Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in adults, and Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.
a) True
b) False
4. What term is used when cybercriminals contact people via text message to obtain personal information such as passwords and financial data?
a) Lishing
b) Smishing
c) Trishing
d) Vishing
5. How much did USPS employees pledge during the most recent Combined Federal Campaign?
a) $2.1 million
b) $2.3 million
c) $2.5 million
d) $2.7 million
Answers: 1) d. 2) a. 3) b. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, while Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed in adults. 4) b. 5) d.
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He found his voice — with help from his mom
This Georgia mail handler has a turn in the ‘American Idol’ spotlight
-
People
A big delivery
Employees help a customer celebrate his birthday, a postmaster begins a new gig and a rural carrier receives a final salute
-
News Quiz
Dots, dashes and a line
Do you remember Samuel Morse’s first telegraph message?