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!