The Moonfire community first met Anwar when he was only 7 years old. He always helped out at gatherings and retreats by collecting wood, tending fires, and scouting for the best hiking trails. In later years he was very helpful in supervising his younger sister, Chandra, and the other young children who attended various events with their parents. Alas, a few years ago, as is traditional in clan societies, Anwar bade farewell to the women and the children, relinquished his participation and responsibility to such familiar tasks and entered the world of young manhood. (They grow up so fast!) Anwar has grown well and today is a very fine young man. Now, I'm speaking as the founder and director of Moonfire, not simply as Anwar's Goddess Mother.

We are all very proud of his many recent accomplishments, scholastically and otherwise. We especially support his love of BMX Racing. In January he received several awards for the 1999 Shoreham BMX Racing Season, the Tony Celi Award for 100% attendance at meets, and the Rick Black Award for sportsmanship. I like to think that his experience in creating and supporting community at Moonfire helped plant some of those seeds for sportsmanship that Anwar nurtured into getting these awards. His mom said that he also received two certificates of appreciation from the National Bicycle League (NBL) and Shoreham BMX in recognition of his service to the sport. The certificates acknowledged that by helping to build Bicycle Motorcross in America, Anwar had demonstrated the vision, resourcefulness, and hard work that are the hallmarks of volunteerism and leadership. Now, I know for sure that all the Moonfire retreats, circles, fires, parties, celebrations, and gatherings, definitely instilled the need for service, if not the love of service.

Anwar has been participating in the 2000 Racing Season. In the August, 2000 issue of BMX Today, the National Bicycle League (NBL) points standings list Anwar as 66th out of 154 in the USA 16 Novice Class. He invites everyone to come out to see him ride. Anwar takes the ethic of good sportsmanship very seriously. He once told me that his personal safety, the safety of the other participants, and the enjoyment of the game were more important to him than winning. Way to go, Anwar!

In addition to tending to his chores at home in Port Jefferson, maintaining good grades, playing DJ at our Spring Dance, joining the Fox Clan at Moonfire, and entering his Junior year in Comsewogue High School, Anwar also works locally at a bicycle shop, started busing tables at a popular local restaurant and does landscaping. He recently used some of his hard earned cash to buy his sister, Chandra, a brand new turquoise bike for her 11th birthday. He says he's not a workaholic, he works to help pay for his racing expenses, like race fees, traveling, and maintenance on his bike. His family says that creating and manifesting the funds needed to participate in Championship Meets all over the country has provided Anwar with some valuable lessons on how to manage his money, especially when he is away from home. He hopes someday to attract a corporate sponsor for this passion of his. Any corporate types out there looking for a good cause to sponsor?

Every boy's dream...A two-wheely, And you no different Burst forth with a scream... Woweee! For me? And off he went. Up and down he pedaled Breaking into a proud smile As he whistled by. Ninety-eight degrees - so what! Nothing can part him from those wheels No inferno, pangs of hunger, nature's calls. All he knows is a bike, that's all. Copyright 1984 "Images", Denise Ellis

"I wrote this poem for my eldest son, Leighton, when he got his first bicycle. Leighton is now twenty-four years old. However, the poem is more suited to my younger son, Anwar, who is 16 and has become a consummate bicycle motorcross (BMX) sportsman." - Denise Ellis