Hey There Shepherd!
Good Morning! Sticking to the plan for this 1st Sunday post, but, again, doing exactly what I want to do, I am curving away from ‘current’ Shepherd people… I have used this as ‘Getting To Know Shepherd People” and focused on those currently here at Shepherd Public Schools…and I will continue it. I even have the next eleven picked out...
But as evidenced by the Erin McLoughlin post, I am now including Alumni who are out there attacking life, using No Excuses, and making things happen in a positive / inspiring way…
So here goes with the August installment. I truly believe getting to know people, communicating with them, and finding out what they are about is a crucial key to successful teamwork, a successful school.
I want to present you with an unsung hero who graduated three years ago from Shepherd and has been quietly doing amazing things, making changes, and attacking the gift of life given to her…
Her name is Sarah Ballew…
After graduating from Shepherd in 2011, Sarah headed off to the University of Michigan. While there she has been working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science concentrating in Environmental Policy. Not just studying but working too,
Ms. Ballew works as an Office Assistant at the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching on the UM Campus. And add to that busy schedule, she is Co-Chair of the Native American Student Association at U of M. When she comes home for the summer she NEVER takes a break. She immediately starts work at the Soaring Eagle Casino doing numerous jobs. (Once she even had to bring an ‘old’ teacher a ‘beverage’ at the Motley Crue Concert!)
Check this out…
Sarah is currently finishing her 10 week internship through the Udall Foundation in Senator Mark Udall’s office (from Colorado). Her duties as an intern this summer were many tasks and responsibilities within Senator Udall’s office. This included front desk and office work, but also consisted of completing research for the legislative staff on different issues the Senator was working on such as healthcare, energy, and appropriations. As an intern, she would then write memos detailing her research for the staff to use. Most of Sarah’s research was pertaining to energy and water appropriations and what that meant for Colorado. She also would answer phone calls from constituents and log their issues along with other duties to ensure the constituents’ voices were being heard.
And when she can find some free time, Sarah spends it Powwow dancing. She have been dancing since she could walk. She has jingle dress danced and fancy shawl danced and is currently a fancy shawl dancer. At other times she also enjoys running, yoga, and reading.
And I had to get back to those Shepherd roots… I asked her about the best parts about coming out of Shepherd. Sarah responded with: “Shepherd has amazing teachers who cared about each of their students and were dedicated to helping them succeed. I am grateful I went through Shepherd middle and high school to gain valuable knowledge from the teachers and staff, along with being so involved in student council and sports. The teachers made my high school experience and education what it was. I loved it, and it helped me get where I am today. I have always loved to learn. Shepherd teachers fed that and encouraged me.”
She also addressed her favorite memories. “My season on the Cross Country team and my Senior homecoming as homecoming queen really stand out to me, but I have so many memories I treasure from my high school career. When I think back on Shepherd, the teachers and sporting teams are what made high school amazing.
I wanted to get her to tell me her Claim to Fame… it got a laugh out of her, humble as always… She replied with, “Not famous… Just working hard to further my education and work towards the betterment of my Native American people and at a bigger picture - the world - as my interests lie in helping foster the world into a more sustainable, resilient society as climate change is occuring now, but also helping to mitigate climate change to ensure a livable future for future generations.”
Hmmmm… Appreciation of her heritage? Changing the world for the better? I’ll take that as a solid Claim to Fame.
So who / what drives or inspires her? Ms. Ballew said, “My parents have always inspired me of course. And I’d like to specially thank my cousin/mentor Teresa Magnuson Melendez for the inspiration she gave me growing up. She has mentored me all throughout my life and taught me my education is vital. Also, she taught me to not be afraid to make hard decisions in regards to being happy. I have to follow my happiness and dreams no matter what. Everything will fall into place. My parents and Teresa have always incorporated our traditional Native American knowledge and values in every aspect of life as I grew up. I thank them for that as I have vital knowledge of my culture which I value highly as an adult.”
And do not think for a second that Sarah Ballew is getting ready to slow down. She already has those sights set and focused. After her undergrad is done, she will attend graduate school for Environmental Policy & Management and work on and create policy to ensure a more sustainable future.
I can speak from experience and having Sarah in my classes. She sets herself apart from the rest of the pack. She exists at the tip of the right of the bell shaped curve where the Alpha Wolves rule. She fears but faces it down. She makes mistakes, but corrects them, never repeats them, and moves on, better, stronger than before, always learning. If you ever get the chance to spend some time with her, please, do yourself a favor, and spend as much as you can. Her drive and ambition along with kindness and compassion are infectious. You will leave with a new vision, a new hope for the future. And that was evident in the quote she chose as her favorite...
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” by Mahatma Gandhi.
It would not surprise me in the least, as a matter of fact I expect it, that Sarah Ballew will be a change, a driving change to make this world a better place for all people. She exemplifies everything good about our lives. And this world is a better place with her in it.
Shepherd is so very proud of you Sarah… so very very proud...
Good Morning! Sticking to the plan for this 1st Sunday post, but, again, doing exactly what I want to do, I am curving away from ‘current’ Shepherd people… I have used this as ‘Getting To Know Shepherd People” and focused on those currently here at Shepherd Public Schools…and I will continue it. I even have the next eleven picked out...
But as evidenced by the Erin McLoughlin post, I am now including Alumni who are out there attacking life, using No Excuses, and making things happen in a positive / inspiring way…
So here goes with the August installment. I truly believe getting to know people, communicating with them, and finding out what they are about is a crucial key to successful teamwork, a successful school.
I want to present you with an unsung hero who graduated three years ago from Shepherd and has been quietly doing amazing things, making changes, and attacking the gift of life given to her…
Her name is Sarah Ballew…
After graduating from Shepherd in 2011, Sarah headed off to the University of Michigan. While there she has been working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science concentrating in Environmental Policy. Not just studying but working too,
Ms. Ballew works as an Office Assistant at the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching on the UM Campus. And add to that busy schedule, she is Co-Chair of the Native American Student Association at U of M. When she comes home for the summer she NEVER takes a break. She immediately starts work at the Soaring Eagle Casino doing numerous jobs. (Once she even had to bring an ‘old’ teacher a ‘beverage’ at the Motley Crue Concert!)
Check this out…
Sarah is currently finishing her 10 week internship through the Udall Foundation in Senator Mark Udall’s office (from Colorado). Her duties as an intern this summer were many tasks and responsibilities within Senator Udall’s office. This included front desk and office work, but also consisted of completing research for the legislative staff on different issues the Senator was working on such as healthcare, energy, and appropriations. As an intern, she would then write memos detailing her research for the staff to use. Most of Sarah’s research was pertaining to energy and water appropriations and what that meant for Colorado. She also would answer phone calls from constituents and log their issues along with other duties to ensure the constituents’ voices were being heard.
And when she can find some free time, Sarah spends it Powwow dancing. She have been dancing since she could walk. She has jingle dress danced and fancy shawl danced and is currently a fancy shawl dancer. At other times she also enjoys running, yoga, and reading.
And I had to get back to those Shepherd roots… I asked her about the best parts about coming out of Shepherd. Sarah responded with: “Shepherd has amazing teachers who cared about each of their students and were dedicated to helping them succeed. I am grateful I went through Shepherd middle and high school to gain valuable knowledge from the teachers and staff, along with being so involved in student council and sports. The teachers made my high school experience and education what it was. I loved it, and it helped me get where I am today. I have always loved to learn. Shepherd teachers fed that and encouraged me.”
She also addressed her favorite memories. “My season on the Cross Country team and my Senior homecoming as homecoming queen really stand out to me, but I have so many memories I treasure from my high school career. When I think back on Shepherd, the teachers and sporting teams are what made high school amazing.
I wanted to get her to tell me her Claim to Fame… it got a laugh out of her, humble as always… She replied with, “Not famous… Just working hard to further my education and work towards the betterment of my Native American people and at a bigger picture - the world - as my interests lie in helping foster the world into a more sustainable, resilient society as climate change is occuring now, but also helping to mitigate climate change to ensure a livable future for future generations.”
Hmmmm… Appreciation of her heritage? Changing the world for the better? I’ll take that as a solid Claim to Fame.
So who / what drives or inspires her? Ms. Ballew said, “My parents have always inspired me of course. And I’d like to specially thank my cousin/mentor Teresa Magnuson Melendez for the inspiration she gave me growing up. She has mentored me all throughout my life and taught me my education is vital. Also, she taught me to not be afraid to make hard decisions in regards to being happy. I have to follow my happiness and dreams no matter what. Everything will fall into place. My parents and Teresa have always incorporated our traditional Native American knowledge and values in every aspect of life as I grew up. I thank them for that as I have vital knowledge of my culture which I value highly as an adult.”
And do not think for a second that Sarah Ballew is getting ready to slow down. She already has those sights set and focused. After her undergrad is done, she will attend graduate school for Environmental Policy & Management and work on and create policy to ensure a more sustainable future.
I can speak from experience and having Sarah in my classes. She sets herself apart from the rest of the pack. She exists at the tip of the right of the bell shaped curve where the Alpha Wolves rule. She fears but faces it down. She makes mistakes, but corrects them, never repeats them, and moves on, better, stronger than before, always learning. If you ever get the chance to spend some time with her, please, do yourself a favor, and spend as much as you can. Her drive and ambition along with kindness and compassion are infectious. You will leave with a new vision, a new hope for the future. And that was evident in the quote she chose as her favorite...
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” by Mahatma Gandhi.
It would not surprise me in the least, as a matter of fact I expect it, that Sarah Ballew will be a change, a driving change to make this world a better place for all people. She exemplifies everything good about our lives. And this world is a better place with her in it.
Shepherd is so very proud of you Sarah… so very very proud...