JA and Running With a Little Ice Cream on Top

There are certain words in life that describe what we are.  For me, some include, mother, JA advocate and runner.  (There are obviously many more, but that is for another blog for another day).  I include mother because that is what I am before I am ever anything else, but today I am going to focus on running and of course, JA.

 

I can’t think of a single reason why I love Junior Achievement so much.  I was first introduced to JA as a senior in high school when I accidentally enrolled in a business class.  My teacher was an incredible business mentor, lover of JA and good friends with my boss of nearly 11 years.  (It may only stay 11 years if you don’t comment on how great this blog entry is)!  He taught me about business and gave me the opportunity to teach JA in an elementary school for extra credit.  I taught my first JA class when I was 17.  I have since taught JA in grades K-5 multiple times and have enjoyed each experience uniquely.  I have now taught my oldest daughter JA in kindergarten, first, and just finished her second grade class last week.  I will teach my twin daughters’ kindergarten class next year and am looking forward to it very much.

 

I enjoy watching the children’s faces when they learn something new from the JA material.  I love listening to their rambunctious joy and laughter when they understand a new concept.  (Maybe all kids aren’t rambunctious when they learn, but my daughter’s class sure is)!  Junior Achievement is special to me.  It became that way because a high school teacher lit my candle.  I want to keep it burning until every child has experienced the appreciation, knowledge and joy that it has given me.

I can’t think of a single reason why I love running so much.  At the end of a race, when tears stream down my cheeks, and I have no more to give, I really love running.  In the early morning hours before the sun has come up and I feel the cold air blowing through my hair and the pavement beneath my feet, I really love running.  I have laughed so hard that I have doubled over, with a side ache as a result for the rest of the run.  I have watched hundreds of sunrises.  I have accomplished more personal dreams than I can account for, eat ice cream, and have lost the baby weight from my three children, all because of running. 

I have developed more personal friendships that have held the closest bonds.  There is something to be said about someone you would wake up at 5 am for day after day and week after week.  There is something to be said about someone who has gone through injuries, tears, laughter, insomnia, good days, bad days, didn’t make it to the gas station on time days, with you.  My running girls are my sisters for life.  I hold their relationships sacred and dear to my heart. 

Another one of my favorite things to do is visit Baskin Robbins.  I always order a cup with two scoops and of course ALWAYS fill it with my two favorite flavors.  For some reason combining the two brightens my day more than just the one flavor.  This is where the concept of the JA 5K comes from, in my mind.  What could be better than working for an organization that I was completely passionate about, than planning a run for it?  Can you believe I actually get paid to plan a run?  Does that even seem fair to you?

The JA 5K Challenge and Fun Run will be held this year on June 2, at Rio Tinto Stadium.  I invite students, parents, teachers, supporters, volunteers (and of course) runners, to participate together, celebrating a cause we believe in.  The 5K route is easy and fun with treats, drinks and SWAG galore waiting at the finish line, with prizes for age group winners.   The Fun Run is VERY kid-friendly with a bounce house, Leo the Lion (Real’s Mascot) and prizes, prizes, prizes!  I want you to have a FANTASTIC experience.  Fitness Guru, Michael Banks, will begin the race for us, with a great raffle finishing off the event.  Registration is open today.  Simply click here to register.  Family rates are available by clicking here.   

If you have ever wanted to participate in a JA event, now is your chance!  You have plenty of time to train, or not train at all and walk (thanks mom and dad for walking last year)!  I will see you on June 2, when I combine two of my favorite flavors of life, JA and running.

Thank you to our sponsors:  Real Salt Lake, Body By Banks, Winder Farms, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Pepsi and New York Life. 

Junior Achievement Love

In honor of Valentines Day, of course the February blog has to be about LOVE!  When I think about all the things, people and places I love, I could get a headache!  Of course we have our people we love, our spouses/significant others, friends, children, family, etc.  We all have the foods that we can’t live without.  The dripping chocolate over hot, explosive, chocolate cake, or the dripping cheese over hot tortilla chips (everything sounds better dripping doesn’t it?)  There are also the places.  The joy of Disneyland, the feeling of the sand in your toes at the beach, the romance of Europe and Hawaii, or even a warm bed after a long day.  There are so MANY things, I could write a blog every day for the rest of my life about someone or something that I love. 

I think the top of most our lists are our children.  There is nothing like a baby’s first smile, or your child’s first time riding a bike.  There is also nothing like the worry we feel when our child is not in the right place, or the worry for their future.  If you are not a parent, you still experience the joy of children and the worry for their future. 

I also have a deep love for Junior Achievement.  I have devoted over a decade of my life to educating my fellow Utahans about a program that IS CHANGING LIVES here.  I am in the middle of volunteering for JA in my daughter’s second grade class.  There isn’t a word that describes the joy I feel when I see my daughter learning and growing in ways I would have never thought to teach her without these programs.  

This February as you are hand-making cards and dropping off treats, eating your DRIPPING chocolate cake, give your child or a child a kiss, and give them the gift of a future.  I want my children and all children to have hope for their future.  I want them to provide for their family someday, enjoy the places and things I love, and influence the lives of their children.  I believe that Junior Achievement is the key to give children proper instruction to prepare for their future.  

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!  

Dreams Really Do Come True for Other People Besides Cinderella. . .

There have been few times in my life where I have been moved by something so spectacular that I actually shed real tears.  And although I have worked for JA for some time, and believe whole-heartedly in the cause, I am not sure I have ever cried at an event (more than once or twice :). I was moved SO much at the Career Exploration Preview last week, I cried.  I really cried, real tears.

The big picture of this event began with a dream.  (I want you all to know that Twilight began with a dream as well, but that’s another blog for another day)  Dick Prows, a member of the JA Board, Discovery Gateway Board, and Utah Business Hall of Fame Laureate, had a dream.  His dream was that every child had the same experience in their career that he did, doing something they loved and were passionate about.  Dick is an Architect, a Developer, and a true JA entrepreneur.  In the 1980’s he had a heart attack, and when he survived he decide to devote the remainder of his life making sure children had the same experience he did.  That moved me to tears.  Please read more about him by clicking here.

Dick's dream and vision has come true in JA City.  JA City is located on fourth floor of the Discovery Gateway.  It is such an incredible venue that it was mentioned on multiple occasions should be opened to the public.  For over two years, preparations have been made to create a place for kids visiting D.G. (Discovery Gateway) between ages eight to fifteen.  They may go upstairs (to the fourth floor) and learn about different careers through hands-on games, touch screens, videos, etc.    

On January 11, 2012, we had a preview to highlight the Center.  We had students showing business men and women, parents, educators, etc. exactly what they would be doing and learning about.  I was so nervous to host an adult for some reason, because apparently I want to look like I know what I am doing with a touch screen (I can't figure out my phone half the time).  When I expressed my nervousness to the students they simply said, “Don’t worry, we will do all the work.” And they did.  Students led the tour of the Center to hundreds of adults, showing them how they will learn and grow from this new exploration center.  If that isn’t moving, I don’t know what is. 

I wanted to include some bullet points and quotes to share about the evening.

·         Taylor Marshall, a student who was the Mayor of the city in his 5^th grade class was asked if he wanted to pursue politics.  His response was, “I want to be a lobbyist.”

·         “I wish I had something like this when I was younger.”

·         “I didn’t realize this was even here, this is amazing.”

·         “I feel famous here, this place is awesome!”

·         The donations that came immediately after seeing the venue were very touching.  People want this to happen and want to see more.

·         Ron Jibson, current president of Questar, asked Shaylee Olsen who was the president of Questar at JA City if she would come work with him for a day. 

The reason people work for, volunteer for, and donate for a non-profit is simple; they want to change lives.  I truly feel that JA changes lives every day.  Sometimes it is very apparent and we hear a chilling story.  Other days we see twenty or so students leading the top business men and women around a large room, showing them how their lives will change.  That is a very good dream that I am proud to be a part of. 

Click here to view pictures from our Career Exploration preview.    

The Not-So-2012-January Blues

It’s that time of year again. . .JANUARY.   There is something I usually dread about January.  It stems from freezing cold weather, and being a native Utahan, who has never skied before, the snow isn’t fun after the New Year.  The job hunt in Arizona begins to top my priority list.  This year, however, it is hard to get into my usual “January blues.”  Right now, for example, it is 44 degrees outside.  I actually wore capri pants yesterday. 

I prepare myself each year for my January blues by focusing in depth on New Year’s resolutions and how to better myself.  This list gets overwhelming.  I am sure I am just like the normal person after the holidays, where there are five pounds of brownies stuck to my mid-section and my pants won’t button up quite the same.  I spent the holidays going to bed late, sleeping in, and my schedule is just completely off. 

Ironically, I also thrive for January, knowing that life can settle down just a bit, and my New Year’s resolutions will ground me just a little more.  My resolutions this year all revolve around one thing, living within my means.  I am what I like to call a “chronic spender.”  Luckily, I don’t spend too much on expensive things, but where I get in trouble is the low priced, small items.  I am a sucker for a deal, but buy waaaaaaaay too many deals.  I am ready to give up my spending.  I am ready to get paid on payday and not back-pay myself, but prepay myself.  This is my year to finally financially discipline myself. 

I thought this went perfectly for the January blog for Junior Achievement because I am sure many of you are ready to tighten your belts a little bit just like me.  (Or loosen the belt from my brownies) I think we can take the JA teachings and apply it to ourselves in 2012. 

Happy 2012 everyone!  I wish you the best of luck on your resolutions.  Remember, this is your year!

'Twas the Night Before Bills were Due. . .

Twas the night before bills were due, and all through the house

All the creatures were stirring, especially my spouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

Paid for by credit cards, the money was scarce.

The children weren’t nestled, they heard all the noise,

Of our panicking about our not-so-Christmas joys.

“What will we do?” I said, “How will we pay?”

“I’m not sure, but let’s worry after Christmas day.”

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

We all looked out the window to see what was the matter.

Away to the window we all flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

There stood a little old man we at once recognized,

Our high school JA volunteer, who back then we despised.

He taught us that spending was better done if you saved,

And that going to college was, at the time, all the rave!

Back then we thought, “Who could give up four years of our lives?” 

We would much rather spend money while flipping burgers and fries!

At once we thought, “Oh no! He found out we never heard!

And has come back to teach us again, to repeat his words!”

He spoke about CD’s, about interest and waiting,

He talked about economy and consolidating.

He looked over our bills and with one shake of his head,

He began writing up a plan, we wished we were dead.

We knew we needed to get out of this mess,

But his plan made us spend less, less and LESS.

He told us this was important life knowledge,

And some people never get it, even if they go to college.

He promised us if I abode by his plan,

That I would be debt-free and feel like a new woman!

My family and I decided right then,

That we agree, that we would listen.

We asked our kids if JA was in their class.

They said it was, and it wasn’t a task!

They loved learning about their community and global market trading,

That when saving for something, they didn’t mind waiting.

My spouse and I looked at each other in wonder,

If only we had listened then, we could have skipped this blunder.

Our JA volunteer told us we would be okay,

If we would promise to begin today!

As he sprang to his car, and he waved goodbye,

We thanked him for the lessons he taught us that night.

I heard him exclaim as he was driving away,

“Don’t thank me, go thank JA!”

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE STAFF AT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF UTAH!

The 2011 Thankful Blog

I am certain every blog in this cyber universe will be about some form of gratitude this week.  If you are like me, you have already had those moments in your day where you pause to reflect on your own personal gratitude list without even meaning to.  There is just something special about this time of year when the leaves fall, you watch your breath when speaking outdoors, hot chocolate, coats and scarves and knowing that Thanksgiving is only three days away; it gives you those tender moments.  I watched my children play this weekend and thought about their sweet little lives and how happy and care free they are.  One of them was ill, and it made me grateful for my health and their health and for how much I take it for granted when we are well.  My children make me understand why my parents always told me to stay young and enjoy my youth for as long as possible.

My life now obviously isn’t as simple as it was when I was young.  I now have bills to pay, a mortgage to keep up with, deadlines, and children of my own that need time, attention and preparation.  I think of how my parents prepared me for this future that I am now living in.  They always taught me to go to college.  That wasn’t an “if you go to college” in my home growing up, it was a “when.”  My father was very financially savvy and opened my siblings and my bank accounts when we were very young and taught us that saving was always the best policy.  I feel like the home I was raised in was my own personal Junior Achievement sanctuary, in which I am of course grateful for. 

I realize that I was not quite raised like the majority of my friends and associates.  Most of them didn’t have the financial guru father that I had and Junior Achievement was definitely not in my elementary or middle school at the time.  Many of my friends now have lost homes, declared bankruptcy or have more credit card debt than they know what to do with.  Much of this is due to the poor economy, however, I feel very fortunate that I have not had to experience one of those three nightmare situations. 

This time of year I am very thankful for a program that not only teaches my children how to save money, but helps them make wise decisions in preparing for their future.  Junior Achievement teaches our children and youth the value and importance of free-enterprise, a college education, workforce readiness, financial literacy and much more.   

I know one thing we as humans share in common is that we all want great leaders for our future.  When we are older, our children’s generation and their children’s generation will be taking care of our needs and some of our financial decisions.  The last thing I want is for those leaders to be uneducated in the areas that will influence my life.  Junior Achievement is a solution to educate these future leaders while they are young.  It is crucial that when these kids head off to college they have the knowledge necessary to keep them wise and maybe a little more focused.   Isn’t that something that we all wished we had when we were younger? 

This Thanksgiving, during our personal moments of reflection, as we pause and give thanks in our hearts for the things we hold dear, think about our children’s future.  Think about the short time they are young and then thrust into the world to make adult decisions on their own when sadly, our opinions may not matter as much to them anymore.  I add Junior Achievement to my gratitude list this year, thankful that there is something out there that will help fill in the gaps of readying my children where I may fall short.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers!             

Why Should you Bowl for Junior Achievement?

Why on earth would anyone wake up early on a Saturday morning, put on their sombrero and poncho, grab a guitar and head to the bowling alley?  The 2012 "Nacho Ordinary" Bowl-a-Thon is the answer and is about to begin!  I can't think of another event where families and employees have more fun while raising money for a great cause!  This is Junior Achievement's largest annual fundraiser, bringing in over $300,000, and you and your company is invited to participate.

This has been a long-standing tradition for many companies who create bowling teams made up of employees and their families.  They raise money by holding employee bake-sales, pot-lucks, car washes, selling "JA School Houses" and "Dress Down Day stickers," mail vendors request letters asking for donations, have company parties and pep rallies, and so much more.

The day of the bowl-a-thon is an absolute party.  Prizes, music and contests are just some of the fun and entertainment provided to give your staff the ultimate JA Bowl-a-Thon!  My personal favorite, of course, is the dressing up.  Through the years I have dressed up as a 50's girl, a pirate, Victoria from Twilight, Britney Spears, a cowgirl, a cheerleader, a sailor and Janet Jackson.  I am sure there are even more but I have done it so many times I can't remember.  (I can't WAIT to give Lady Gaga a try sometime)    

I also appreciate any event that allows children to participate.  As a mother of young children, I want to enrich their lives to the fullest with experiences that will help them learn and grow.  I want to give them an understanding of how important it is to help people and organizations.  My children always volunteer the day of the event by blowing up balloons, passing out "gutter ball prizes" and making sure all the other children are having fun, and have a friend.  I have never seen participants leave without smiles on their faces.

Signing up is simple!  Call Karen at (801) 355-5252 x 8203.  She will love to make sure your company has in on all the fun that lies ahead.  And, don't forget the tagline. . .You'll need a siesta after this fiesta!