Evergreen Boys and Girls State

The organization that sponsors our students so that they can attend

Evergreen Boys and Girls State held a dinner on Monday night

in order to honor our students that went.

The organization is the American Legion Auxiliary.

This is a photo of the two girls, Lina and Brandy,

that represented GKHS with their parents at the dinner.

Also in the picture is Riley.

He is one of the boys that represented GKHS at Boys State.

Proud to Represent! Brandy, Riley and Lina

One of my responsibilities as a counselor is to select and send junior students to represent GKHS at Boys and Girls State. This is an awesome experience for the kids as they come to understand more fully the parliamentary procedures and how the government operates. They also gain a greater appreciation for the men and women who are serving our country at this time. It instills within them a greater sense of patriotism. This past year we sent two boys to Evergreen Boys State and two girls to Evergreen Girls State. On Monday night, we got together with the other students in the area that represented their high schools and the students talked about their experiences. It was so much fun to hear about what they learned and the friendships that they formed. It took me back in time to when I went and represented Olympus High School at Girls State in Utah. Perhaps the funniest thing that was shared during the evening was that the boys passed a bill so that nobody in the state of Washington can ever drive a dragon drunk again. They also passed a bill that made JZ the best rapper of all time! Ha! Go figure...they are teenage boys after all! :)

A Beautiful Walk

The other night my roommate and I went on a walk around our neighborhood. I was able to capture a few beautiful sites on my new I Phone. (By the way, great purchase!) It was amazing to take this walk this particular day because in my morning drive to work I saw Mt. Rainier and was filled with a spirit of gratitude and love for my Heavenly Father and his beautiful creations. It is definitely a way that He shows us His great love. I am grateful! Enjoy the pictures!!!

Back to School!!!

I am about to begin my third year at Graham-Kapowsin High School. School will start officially on Tuesday, September 2nd...the day after Labor Day. I have already been back to the school and have been preparing for the past two weeks. I look forward to having the students come now...and my office is already to go! It is an amazing school and I absolutely LOVE my students! I am really looking forward to this year and what it has in store for me. GO EAGLES!!!

A Fun Visit from Lindsey Linton

Shortly after returning from my trip to Utah, my good friend, Lindsey Linton, came to visit with her friend, Spencer. We had a great time while they were here. I took them to my favorite spot in Washington...Point Defiance. We also enjoyed dinner on the waterfront in Tacoma at Katie Downs and took a drive to Eatonville for a yummy dinner at my favorite mom and pop's diner, Mountain Cafe. We also watched some of the Olympics...and wow! that Michael Phelps sure can swim!!! Anyway, it was fun having them here...they are trying to decide if they will make the move to join me here! I hope they do!!!

Ghetto Gals Reunion!!

It was so much fun to get together with the Ghetto Gals while I was in Utah. I LOVE these girls!!! We went and enjoyed dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and also enjoyed catching up with each other! It was way fun to hear about Katie Bell Smith and her darling little family...her little boy Jack is adorable!!! Plus, it was fun to hear about Jamie's boyfriend and how well things are going there. Erin was there with little Hanna...the first baby girl of the Ghetto Gals...and she is quite the little beauty, too! Melissa is working hard and supporting Josh through school for his MBA. Rochelle is gearing up to start another year teaching at Riverton High School. We missed our little Tara Sue who is now preparing to make the move from Boston to Boise. The Ghetto Gals are the best!!! I love these girls! Next year we need to plan another little vacation for sure!!! Last year they came to visit me in the Northwest...where will it be next year??? Boise to see Tara Sue??? Time will tell!

Reuniting with Jen and Joanna and a visit to the Utah State Capitol

It is so fun to reunite with best friends that you haven't seen for a while! Jen Christenson and Joanna Mackay are two of those friends. The first time that we got together was for Joanna's birthday celebration up the canyon. We had a hot dog roast and also a fun birthday cake for Joanna. We chatted for a long while and decided to go visit one of our favorite high school teachers, Mrs. Judith McConkie, together. Mrs. McConkie is now working at the Utah State Capitol as the Curator. She has been one of the main people responsible for the renovation of the state capitol building and it is beautiful!!! She gave us a tour of the building and we were also able to spend some time catching up with her. She is an amazing lady and has definitely made a difference in our lives!!! I am a better high school counselor thanks to her and the example she set for me!!!

High School Friends Reunion

While in Utah, we had a reunion with our group of high school friends at Whitnie Rounds Wells place in Alpine. It was a beautiful evening and we had a lot of fun catching up with each other. It was so neat to hear about all of the great things that everyone is doing. I am so proud of them all!!! It was also fun to see all my friend's kids...they are so cute!!! Isn't it neat how you can go a long time without talking to someone and then when you get back together it seems as though no time has passed? This is how it was that night! I am so grateful for amazing friends who helped me to establish a firm foundation at such a young age. I have always been blessed with many friends...that is how I feel my Savior's love the most...through the friends and family he has blessed me with!!! Love you all!!!