DECA ~ Highschool Judging

February 6, 2013 ~ This year marks my 5th year for judging for DECA. For those of you that don't know what DECA is it is a great program offered in high school and college. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. DECA enhances the co-curricular education of members through a comprehensive learning program that integrates into classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business and promotes competition.

Today I judged at the Holiday Inn in Columbia, MO and recruited 3 friends to help out.... Thank you Cheryl, Shelly & Suzie! Judging at these events is always interesting as you get students that really don't want to be there but were encouraged by their teachers to participate and then you have students that totally get it. Today I judged the written events. The students prepared a binder with 11 pages of content on marketing. Then I have 5 different advertising competitions to judge. I was impressed with all of the students and their knowledge on an advertising campaign and how creative they are.

I was so proud of a set of girls that presented to me. Without giving too much detail about their advertisement (because they use real businesses to come up with these ad campaigns and marketing strategies) I was very impressed with both of them and their ideas. They took an idea on marketing prom items. They had a fashion show with all proceeds going to one of their classmates that could not afford a tux and presented a check for $260 that will be used to rent his tux, a boutonniere and possibly dinner. My heart was beaming with joy hearing this coming from two seniors that were awesome in coming up with this idea. They had a well thought out plan, it was successful and now I can't imagine what that young man is going to feel like as he goes to their prom. If their classmates would take note of what they have done and see that these girls got great recognition (they were the MC's for the event) and didn't really focus on that aspect of this project. Well done ladies, well done!

I had another set of students that presented to me and although their presentation was good I feel they didn't put a lot of thought into what they were presenting. For example: The promotional items they were going to offer didn't add up to the total they gave even when you multiply it by 12 (months) was still only $20,000 and their number was $35,000. The thing I questioned them on was this.... They said they were trying to increase the sales for this business from $20,000 to $30,000. The ad campaign they were pitching was going to cost $40,000+. My question to them was this.... If you are only increasing my sales from $20,000 to $30,000 (+$10,000) why would my ad campaign be $40,000+? Wouldn't I be loosing money? I know I caught them unprepared and they didn't have an answer. I was very nice to them but my point was as a business owner having an ad campaign of $40,000+ on a business that only brings in $20,000 is a lot of money. Even as a small business owner that makes just a little more than $20,000 it's a lot of money to get $10,000 in potential sales.

I give all the students props for putting all of this together including making phone calls, personal visits and e-mails to the various business owners to obtain information needed for their presentation. They all did a great job with speaking and everyone was pretty fluent with what they were talking about. I am so thankful for this opportunity and try to give feedback when I can. I want all of these kids to be successful into the future. As a student myself I remember going through DECA in high school and just wished I had applied myself a little more. I know I could have went to nationals and possibly inter-national but I didn't so what I can do is to keep judging and encouraging these students to do the best they can.

Teachers ~ A Great Gift!

February 5, 2013 ~ Teacher's are vitally important in our society. They teach, encourage, challenge and care deeply about our youth yet their pay isn't that great. They don't do it for the pay. They do it because they enjoy working with students and those precious little stories and smiles are what it's about. As each year passes they watch each child enter their classroom not knowing several things about this new grade level and leave with a wealth of knowledge preparing them for the next grade level. Some days are hard, some days are heart wrenching but mostly the days are rewarding. Next time you see a teacher... thank them. I can remember how kind, caring and loving many of my elementary teachers were and love walking through the halls of the very elementary school that helped shape me into who I am today.

I was reading Facebook this morning and ran across this story. Take a moment to read it as it is empowering, uplifting and true. The next time you judge someone for the way they look, act or dress just remember that you may not know the whole story. Many of us go through things that no one else will understand and when you "label" someone you are giving up on them. Sometimes the smallest things can truly impact another in great ways....

Although this story is fiction the message is something we can all learn from.....


As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant.

It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around.."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper That he got from a grocery bag Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume.. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour.

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets.."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling* her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)

Warm someone's heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone's life today? tomorrow? Just "do it".

Random acts of kindness, I think they call it?

"Believe in Angels, then return the favor."

Super Bowl XLVII

February 3, 2013 ~ Well it's that time of year that many have waited for.....Super Bowl! Brandon and I weren't going to any parties but we wanted to watch the Super Bowl at home. I was excited to cheer on the 49er's because Sarah Dubbert's brother, Justin Smith, was playing in the Super Bowl. (I met Sarah back in Leadership Columbia in 2010 and we connected right away and have since went through Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge in 2012) I really was excited to see the commercials! My favorite are as follows.....

"God Made A Farmer"

Chrysler Ram Commercial

 

http://youtu.be/sYJzSiPSN-0 

(click on above link to watch)

"Brotherhood" ~ Extended Version

Budweiser Commercial

http://youtu.be/wPG7PcI67dE

(click on above link to watch)

"Coming Home"

Jeep Commercial

http://youtu.be/uolFEcPiHFk

(click on above link to watch)

"Viva Young"

Taco Bell Commercial

http://youtu.be/jXuikrlG9AI

(click on above link to watch)

I'll have to be honest.... I wasn't a fan of the half time show. Don't get me wrong... Beyonce is beautiful, amazing and talented but I wanted to hear more of her voice and less of the dancing all around. (I know many of you enjoyed it.... sorry for being honest!)

It was crazy when the lights went out. It's what the 49er's needed to re-group however it wasn't enough. I will have to say the Ravens played well and deserved the win. Awesome these two teams had the opportunity to play and what a great thing for the brother coaches. 49er's I was rootin' for you until the very end.... Dang!

Happy Retirement Day Momma!

February 1, 2013 ~ Well today is a special milestone for my momma.... today she retires! She has worked at Cornerstone Insurance for 15 years and it was certainly a bittersweet day. She is excited to be able to stay home and piddle in the yard and around the house and have the ability to go anywhere she wants to go but she is going to miss many of the people she worked with.

Dad isn't going to retire until February 22nd (he turns 62 the next day) so mom is going to take advantage of relaxing and doing a few things she wants to do before dad is home full time! Starting in March she is going to watch Jaxon 2 days a week.... Don't think he's going to be spoiled at Granny and Papa's house do ya??

It will be nice to have them around all the time however I have a feeling they'll take a few rides in the country once the "new" of retirement wears off! At least Spring is coming so they can get outside and enjoy!

Congratulations momma.... you have worked very hard and now it's time for you to do whatever you want! Hey what's for lunch today in Momma's Kitchen? (Just kidding!) Love you mom!

Tom T's Hat Rack ~ A Book Interview!

January 31, 2013 ~ I was approached by Kim Beasley to be interviewed and talk about "Tom T's Hat Rack" via a Google+ hangout. It was today at 2 PM and I was excited! You know writing and publishing this book has been an amazing adventure and allowed me to be involved in some great opportunities such as this! This interview was possible because of Google+ and their hangout feature which I love. (You can have up to 10 people in a hangout which is awesome!)

I first met Kim Beasley through Sarah Hill when she was using Google+ hangouts in the news at KOMU 8 and have had many great conversations as well has hanging out in real life with her. It was a lot of fun to answer the various questions she asked and it was fun to see Kempton Lam (who I had met via a Google+ hangout and met in Las Vegas in 2012) come onto the interview and ask me about the illustrator and if I had input on the various artwork throughout the book. So good to see a familiar face who supports things I do! Huge thank you to Anthony Ramos for his work on making this interview smooth and creating my "lower third" for my name!

If you have 30 minutes or so I would encourage you to watch the interview and understand why I wrote this book, who inspired me, what I would like to do in the future and what it's been like since I have publicly introduced "Tom T's Hat Rack". You can click on the following YouTube link....

http://youtu.be/N_PzRZueyVk

It was a wonderful opportunity and one that I am glad Kim asked me to be a part of. This is just the tip of the iceberg and we are just getting started! Thank you all for your support and encouragement along the way.... it's been very humbling to hear your thoughts and comments after reading my book which makes my heart happy! 

Eugene Pottinger ~ A Disappointment.....

January 25, 2013 ~ Well I guess I knew this would happen but I didn't want to believe it. I was told that Eugene (the homeless guy I helped get home last year) was back at the Midway exit. I jumped in my car and headed down to see for myself and sure enough there he was. He saw my car coming and by the look on his face he was prepared. I went down to the exit and turned around and as I got closer I really couldn't believe that he would actually come back to our exit. I rolled down my window and told him what a disappointment it was to see him back. I wasted my time and money on someone that wasn't worth it because he felt the need to lie to me. (something I don't take to kindly) I suggested to him that he find another exit to go to because he wouldn't get a thing from anyone here. He had used the wrong person and I would tell everyone I knew. He could sense in my voice that I wasn't playing around and I would run him out of my town! (I don't like to be hateful or mean but you may have got over on me once but I can assure you that you won't get over on me again) I promise you... I will do everything in my power to remove him from our exit and our town as he doesn't belong here. In my town you don't use people and you don't scam us... if you do we will bond together to make sure you aren't welcome.

I don't know his situation (he has apparently lied to me in telling me he was a Navy Seal as a true Navy Seal contacted me and said there is no record of him at all. See below information)  as I won't give him any more of my valuable time. I am not sorry that I did what I did last year to get him home as I did it from my heart with the greatest intentions however I am sorry that I wasted my money to help someone that could look me in the eyes and bold face lie to me. Shame on you Eugene (if that in fact is your true name) for what you have done but coming back to my town for another round... you have balls.


E-mail from a true Navy Seal.....

It's funny how people can be so easily duped, Michele. Not only did Eugene deceive you, but you managed to tarnish the "Hard Earned" reputations of all Navy SEALs by writing about this BUM...I hope you can see you way clear to deleting that blog...

• 
  Madam,
  I greatly appreciate your interest in upholding the honor of the US Navy SEAL Teams, and your search for the TRUTH. Before answering your questions I must make clear that I am a private individual, not affiliated with the US Dept. of Defense or any other government organization. My efforts to expose SEAL imposters are performed as a service to the public, and in honor of my fallen SEAL Teammates… men who truly earned the right to the title “US NAVY SEAL” but who are no longer able to stand forward in defense of their honor, their reputations, and their TEAMs.
  
  If the name you provided is spelled correctly, I do NOT find a listing in the SEAL Database (SEAL Teams and predecessor units from 1943 to the Present Day) for anyone named EUGENE POTTINGER. I have also examined possible alternate spellings, and names with similar pronunciations without finding any that appear to be applicable.
  
  Unless he has undertaken the unlikely action of a legal name change (an action for which there would be evidence in the form of court documentation) since his claimed participation in SEAL training, and based upon the information you have provided, I can state conclusively that EUGENE POTTINGER has NEVER COMPLETED SEAL training, and he is not now, nor was he ever a Navy SEAL, a Navy UDT “Frogman”, a member of any Naval Combat Demolition Unit (NCDU), or a member of the Naval Amphibious Scouts & Raiders (S&R).
  
  Many SEAL imposters when confronted with the information I have provided will resort to claiming that their records are sealed, burned or their SEAL Operations were Classified and that there are no official records of them.
  Before any classified operations may be undertaken as a SEAL Operator, a man must first successfully complete the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training program and then the follow-on secondary training program. The names of all those who successfully graduate from that training program sequence are compiled in the SEAL database. Later participation in classified operations has "no impact" on whether or not a person is listed as a graduate of the training program.
  
  There are records of every man who has qualified for the title of “SEAL”; there have been and will continue to be secret missions, but there are NO secret SEALs.
  
  For additional US NAVY confirmation of my findings regarding Mr. EUGENE POTTINGER's lack of SEAL credentials you may contact the Public Affairs Office at the NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE COMMAND in Coronado, California by telephoning (619) 537-1133. You may also contact the UDT-SEAL Association via email at info@udtseal.org, or by telephone at (757) 318-3764; while they are not formal/official representatives of the US Navy, they have been granted access to the SEAL Database in order to verify credentials of potential members. You may also consider contacting the Naval Special Warfare Archives by email at archives@frii.com; that organization is responsible for creating the original SEAL Database and their extensive collection of documentation exceeds even that held by the US Navy.
  
  Thank you again for your concern in this matter, and for your assistance in upholding the honor of the US Navy SEAL Teams. If I can be of any further assistance to you in this matter, please contact me at your convenience.
  
  Respectfully, Don Shipley BUD/S 131, SEAL Team ONE, SEAL Team TWO.
  Owner http://www.extremesealexperience.com/

Junior Achievement 2013

January 25, 2013 ~ Today I finished my 3rd year of teaching Junior Achievement to the most adorable 2nd graders at Midway Heights Elementary School! Our 2nd grade theme is "Our Community" and they are taught things like what a community is, what a business is, what products and production are, about the government including government workers, voting and how money moves through a community. As a Partner in Education I wanted to be involved in this program because it was a great way to interact with the students while taking time to teach them. It always makes me smile to walk in and the students smile and say "Hello Mrs. Spry!" (Not gonna lie... it does make me feel old to have someone call you Mrs. Spry but I know it's out of respect) I truly had a great time and I think the kids did too!