My Leadership Family

"I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people."

-Mahatma Gandhi  

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To have a group of genuine and caring people in one classroom is a very rare thing.  I am lucky enough to be apart of the Treasure Mountain Junior High Leadership Class which is full of thirty amazing individuals.  Without this class, I would not have built some of the friendships I have now.  AND I wouldn't be as confident in my abilities as a leader.  I used to be unknown to the student body, quiet, weird, awkward, and unimportant.  Because of this class, I have come out of my shell and shown my peers who I am and what I have to offer.  

Some of the incredible people in my class include: Emma Burke, Samantha Bush, Ben Butcher, Marta Myshrall, Matt Whipple, Micaela Berglund, Emma Louden, Leah Anderson, Lauren MacRitchie, Lane Radovan, Evie Edwards, Elaine Prom and SOOOOO many more.  I am so thankful for the relationships I have built, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. 

(L to R) Claire, Marta, and Elaine at the Utah Allies Dinner
Photo Courtesy of Claire

(L to R) Marta, Emma, Claire, and Samantha at TMJH Registration
Photo Courtesy of Claire

From leadership, I have learned to never doubt myself.  Failure follows self doubt, and I have learned that the most important thing is to love yourself.  By telling myself things will work out, they (almost) always do. I have also gained the ability to have an open mind.  In a room full of opinionated and often bossy teenagers, you have to allow yourself to consider other people's ideas and thoughts.  Everything I do in leadership is collaborative and I wouldn't complete any of my tasks without the help of my classmates. 

Anyone can be a leader, and I have learned that the power of my voice is huge.  If I want change, I can make it happen, and don't need to wait around for anyone else to do it.  I am in control of what happens in my life, and it is important for me to take control of things that I am passionate about.  By simply voicing my opinion things the original path can be altered.  Not everyone is perfect, and I have learned that my ideas aren't always great.  We all fail.  It is important to try and learn from your mistakes.  Yet, you can't learn if you don't throw yourself out there.

To put it simply, I am a better person because of the TMJH Leadership class, and I have all of my classmates to thank for that.  Leadership has changed my life in the best way possible. 

rainy_ribbons

There are very few people in this world that can be described as exceptional.  Not many people in this world honestly go above and beyond the status quo.  To find a person who is genuine and inspiring in junior high is like finding a piece of gold in dirt.

I have many amazing friends who, in my eyes, are truly amazing individuals.  Marta just so happens to be one that really stands out in everything she does.  She is an incredible student, soccer player, and leader.  Unlike me, everyone in the school knows and admires her.  Marta is one of those people that swears like a sailor and is a saint.  She can joke about herself and really knows who she is as a person.

Marta and me at the Utah Allies Dinner
Photo Courtesy of Mama Claire

Because of things in my past, I have a hard time trusting people.  Yet, I have trusted Marta since the day we became friends.  Whenever I need a shoulder to cry on, or someone to rant to, she is always there.  There are very few people who are actually there for you all of the time.  I am lucky enough to have one of those very few people as my friend.

In addition to being a beautiful person on the inside and out, Marta is a born leader.  She has a calling to make a change and do something big.  Currently, she serves as the TMJH 9th Grade Class President, and is in the running to become next years Sophomore Representative.  Although we have not been told the results yet, I know Marta was chosen because of the way that she interacts with people.  She has a special way of connecting with an audience, and my grade would be completely stupid not to pick her.  There are so many things that she is able to bring to the table that others can't.  It excites me to even think that she will be representing our grade; there isn't anyone better.

Marta and me at the Utah Allies Dinner
Photo Courtesy of Mama Claire

I am lucky to even know Marta Myshrall.  From school to photography, she excels in everything.  I didn't that it was possible to be perfect until I met Marta. Marta is one of my best friends.  I don't know how I would survive without her.

Livspiration

This week, like many other kids at my school, I have the common cold.  I am less than pleasant.  Believe me, I have my days like everyone else.  My voice sounds like I swallowed an old man's voice box.  Yeah, it is that bad.  I am usually a cheery ball of Claireness, but not lately.  To make matters even worse, I try not to cry at school, but I let the tears flow for the dumbest reasons these past two days.

Often times, I feel like I am the friend who helps people through tough times.  I've had my share of rough times, and I wish my friends would have been there a little more.  However this week, only one friend really pulled me out of my selfish, sickly little bubble of grossness: Livi.

Livi and me last year
Photo Courtesy of Mama Claire

Livi is the kind of person who makes you laugh when you want to cry, smile when you are frowning, and giggle at the silly things in life.  I appreciate Livi so much.  She's one of the few people who actually looks on the bright side of life 99.9% of the time. Whenever I am around her, I have a smile on my face.  

Today, Livi was the one who really cared enough to try and bring me out of my awful mood.  To be honest, I don't even know if she was aware that she made me so much better today.  In science and at lunch, Livi was simply herself.  She asked me if I was okay, and even with my response of a thumbs-down, she made me laugh and have a good time. 

99.765658% of the time I am super positive and Claire-y.  But, I am not a "Livi."  Livi just wears a smile and carries it everywhere.  One of her most admirable qualities is how humble she is.  Livi never brags about herself, but there are so many things she could brag about.  For starters, she was moved up to VARSITY lacrosse because her defensive skills are out of this world.  Also, she an amazing ski racer.  She is so dedicated to ski racing and works so hard to be the best she can be.  (And just so everyone knows, she will finish her slalom race this weekend and do a really amazing.)  

I was just perusing her blog and game across a post called, "Healing."  Everything she write is so inspirational and heartfelt.  After reading her entire post, this was my favorite section, 

"Many times in everyone's lives, bad things happen.  

Things that we wish we could avoid, things that we 

wish we could go back and erase.  We look back on the moments 

and the days before these times and think, how could I not 

have seen it?  More times than not with these situations, it seems 

like there were a hundred signs of what was going to

 happen, a hundred signs that we just failed to see.  The truth is 

though, that bad things happen to everyone.  The only truth that we fail

to see is that all we can to is try to heal." 

Overall, I love Livi like a sister.  Every day I learn something from her, and I am honestly inspired.  She's one of my best friends, and I wish I could be more like her.  Livi's energy is so spunky and kind, and by just writing this post, I've become happier.  Thanks Liv :).  

YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD

You are never too old to have a babysitter.  Am I right?  I think yes.  This past week my mom went out of town so her old teaching partner, Magen, came and watched us.  We've known Magen for a long time, and there are always new adventures.

Rubie and Magen.
Photo Courtesy of Mama Claire 

My family's dog, Rubie, always gets very depressed when my mom leaves because my mom and Rubie are best friends.  Rubie gets so delusional that she even lets ME hold her.  Usually she bites me.

Anyway, there are many responsibilities that my mom has.  Magen does her best to do the following:

• Clean-up after meals
• Feed and take out the pets (Rubie-dog, Henry-dog, Max-dog, and Willie-cat) 
• Make dinner
• Make sure I get up in the morning
• Drive me to the bus stop
• Keep the peace between Mimi and me
• And much, much more

The cutest little Henry
Photo Courtesy of Mama Claire

This week wasn't too busy in regards to my lacrosse schedule, so Magen's responsibilities were even less than usual.  The most odd job she has is to make sure that the little dogs sleep on her bed (Rubie and Henry).  My family coddles our animals a tad too much, but they are just so cute it 

is hard not too.  On Wednesday, I came upstairs after showering and getting ready for school, and Henry was sleeping on the coach.  All alone.  I went and picked him up and noticed that his "spot" was very warm and it indicated that he had slept there all night.  It made me so sad to think that Henry was alone upstairs.  To be honest, Henry is not the sharpest tool in the shed.  He is partly deaf and really can't understand anything.  

After that incident, everything else went smoothly.  Magen is super fun, and I was sad to see her go.  But, it is always nice to have my mom back home!

To Inspire

inspire |inˈspīr|

verb [ with obj. ]

1 fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative: [ with obj. and infinitive ] : his passion for romantic literature inspired him to begin writing.

• create (a feeling, esp. a positive one) in a person: their past record does not inspire confidence.

(definition courtesy of Apple Dictionary)

Inspiration can come from many different places.  Every single day we are surrounded by incredible people who do amazing things.  My friend, Livi, has a blog all about the little things that motivate her.   After reading a few of her posts, I realized that even the smallest things can really change how a person operates.

You're probably wondering why I am writing about inspiration.  The reason is that in order to be remember by anyone, you have to inspire.  This relates to being a babysitter because you will get NOWHERE if you aren't liked/admired by parents and children.  I want to be the babysitter that the kids remember having fun with and enjoying their time.  

Below is a list of things that inspire/motive me (not all of the things, and certainly not in order):

Marta, Emma, Me, Samantha
Photo Courtesy of Claire

1. My friends 
2. "The Hunger Games"
3. My teachers
4. The song, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
5. My lacrosse coaches
6. The Biggest Loser (tv show)

Also, you're probably thinking I am a weirdo with that list... Especially with "The Hunger Games."  The reason it's included is because Katniss pushes aside every obstacle and makes her situation work.  I want to be like that, and I want to inspire people like she has.  

Overall, inspiration can be found anywhere, and I personally want to be someone who can inspire others.  The main reason I want to be a teacher is to make a difference in lives. In my case, I remember every teacher I've had because of all the things they taught me to do.  Each of them inspired me to want to be a great person.  The little things are the ones that we remember, and I have great memories of my teachers teaching me about life and school.

So, next time you're about to do something, little or big, remember that you have to power to make a difference.  

A Teacher in Training

This week, I wanted to write a post about my dream/hope for my future.

Not a day goes by that I don't want to be a teacher.  Ever since childhood, I've wanted to be in the field of education.  I guess you could say it runs in the family as my grammie, my uncle, and my mom are all teachers.  I appreciate my personal teachers because they put so much work into their jobs.  Not only is it one of the most rewarding jobs, but it requires so much energy and love.

A common remark I get when expressing this is that I won't make any money.  To me, this is so stupid to say.  I don't care about money as much as I care about making a difference.  With this being said, I do think that teachers are extremely underpaid for all of the work they do.  After all, they're the ones who supply the workforce with knowledgeable, well-rounded, hard-working workers.  Money may make some people happy, but it is not what makes my world go round.

On another note, I am so lucky to know Kathy Anderson.  She is the Park City School District Preschool Coordinator and also teaches three year old preschool at McPolin Elementary.  In eighth grade, I was able to be her "TA" (teacher aid).  I spent 130 minutes on every white day in her classroom, and I would eat lunch during their snack; it was the best time I can remember.  

It was practically project based learning because I was able to have a look on what it's like to be a real teacher.  Kathy taught me so much about patience, differentiating, and most importantly love.  She loves her job so much, and it's so obvious because the kids adore her.  During my elementary years, I had Kathy as a reading teacher and to this day I remember how much fun it was.

McPolin 3 yr. old class '11-'12
Photo Courtesy of Kathy Anderson

Myself and "L" during recess
Photo Courtesy of Kathy Anderson

As you can see above, I LOVE these children.  I invested my whole heart in their wellbeing and understanding of the lessons, games, etc.  This led me to take online PE this year so I could have an open period...  You can already guess what I did with that; TA for Kathy!!  Unfortunately, I am there for fifteen minutes of the morning class and twenty-five minutes with the afternoon.  Yet, I have decided to look on the bright side and remember how much I want this to be my future job.

Overall, I cannot wait until the day that I can make a difference in the lives of children.  What more is there to life?