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Letter from Amelinne la Bouchiere and Signore Lorenzo di Calabria for election to Baron and Baroness of Brendoken 
Signore Lorenzo di Calabria |
Amelinne la Bouchiere |
Greetings unto Their Royal Majesties, Their Royal Highnesses, Their Excellencies Brendoken, Kingdom and Baronial officers, and the populace of Brendoken!
We hereby formally request that you add our names to the list of candidates for the next Baron and Baroness of Brendoken. We humbly submit that our time in the SCA and our modern lives have prepared us well to serve in that august position.
The good people of Brendoken are strong and resourceful. They graciously assume any responsibility and they accept any challenge with eagerness. Their never-ending belief in the Dream inspires us to give generously of our time and energy, in turn to inspire progress and encourage the growth of our fair Barony. With that passion in our hearts, we petition you for the opportunity to lead them in their endeavors.
If we are chosen, our primary goal will be to continue what Their Excellencies Alexander and Catriona so ably began. We will continue their work to strengthen the bond among the four Marches and to foster the Dream. To this end, we will encourage the arts and sciences (both martial and peaceful), support events hosted by local and neighboring groups, and promote harmony among the Brendoken populace.
Several members of the populace have noticed the esprit de corps in the Rapier Guild and lamented that other arts do not share their cohesion. We intend to foster that camaraderie equally in other arts and finally in the whole Barony. We will also work to promote increased interest in Baronial meetings and Courts.
Lorenzo has served as Gwyntarian's Seneschal for over two years. In this time, he has learned how to organize large groups and help them make decisions even when there is disagreement. He is the current Brendoken Rapier Champion, and has been honored to stand behind Their Excellencies during Court as a loyal protector. As Baron Alexander includes his Champions in his counsel, Lorenzo has seen firsthand the preparation involved in Baronial activities, and has also learned about the duties and responsibilities of the Baron.
In addition, Lorenzo has demonstrated his ability to lead others in his two years as Baronial rapier commander. In that time, the rapier unit at Pennsic has grown from six fighters to eleven and has been named an Elite Unit both years. Lorenzo's able leadership and instruction have been of great benefit to the unit. In the last year, he became a warranted rapier marshal, accepted the role of Gwyntarian's Group Rapier Marshal, and served as Rapier Marshal in Charge for six events in Brendoken and three in other regions. Though Lorenzo is often given sole credit for forming the well respected Brendoken rapier guild (the Blades of Brendoken), he could not have done it without help from several worthy people, in particular Amelinne. She helped to form the concept, kept him on task, and helped to ensure smooth communication of his intent. While rapier combat is Lorenzo's passion, he also enjoys the other arts, such as archery, chainmaille, brewing, dancing, and drumming. He hopes to find the time to get involved in heavy weapons combat, leatherwork, and sewing as well.
In the modern world, Lorenzo has a Baccalaureate degree in mechanical engineering, and works in machine design at Goodyear. This experience has taught him to find creative solutions to problems, explain the solutions to others, and make sure they are implemented quickly. It has also taught him teamwork, responsibility, and research.
Amelinne has served as Chatelaine for Gwyntarian since the spring. Over the past year, she has attended kingdom events regularly, been authorized in rapier combat, assisted with the development of the Blades of Brendoken, begun archery, and expresses her love of Medieval dance at every opportunity. In the Arts and Sciences, she enjoys the fiber arts, especially sewing, has studied Latin and has ambitions to develop skill with illumination and calligraphy.
In the modern world, she holds a B.S. in elementary education and is currently working on a Waldorf Certificate. Her work as an elementary teacher at a Waldorf school has honed her skills in the areas of topic research and documentation, organization, administration, and flexibility. Adapting plans to meet ever-changing circumstances is one of Amelinne's most notable strengths. Festivals and fund raising are a large part of the social structure of the school. Amelinne has chaired the the Children's Holiday Festival for three years and, as a member of the Festivals Committee, has also participated in the planning and preparation of other festivals, including Michaelmas, for over five years. She was Secretary of the College of Teachers for three years and a member of the Board for two. Art is an integrated part of daily work in the curriculum, so watercolor painting, drawing and clay work are other examples of the experience she brings to this position.
We are confident that we possess the skills we need to fulfill the role of Baron and Baroness. While we hope that you will find us worthy of the position, our dearest wish is that you will choose the candidates who are best for the Barony and who will let Brendoken's star be a shining example for other young baronies.
Many thanks for your gracious consideration, 
Lorenzo and Amelinne