tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-548989231063639802024-03-13T19:22:24.721-05:00Mari WalkerMari Walker is a communications specialist available to work on website content creation, writing, editing and proofing, and social media campaigns. Contact me if you are interested in working together.Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-35095776464927632122021-09-01T07:05:00.001-05:002021-09-14T18:47:31.458-05:00BR Parents: One Amazing Kid - Mindy Jones<p><i>First published in the September 2021 issue of Baton Rouge Parents magazine and on its website.</i></p><div><p>When a friend asked Mindy Jones if she would help her raise
money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as part of the Baton Rouge
Bees, Mindy agreed. That “yes” turned into a leadership opportunity for
Mindy, as the next year she led the Bees’ fundraising efforts, raising
more than $41,000.</p>
<p>“As the campaign went on and I learned more about it, I realized how
much this society does and how much they do for our community,” Mindy,
17, says. “My grandfather actually passed away from leukemia three years
ago, so it’s a very personal journey for me.”</p>
<p>Now a senior at St. Michael the Archangel High School, Mindy received
the 2021 Ochsner Citizenship Award for Mission Integration, honoring
her for “spreading the word about this campaign and LLS in general
throughout the community,” she says. Her fundraising included other
schools and companies to make a bigger impact. </p>
<p>“We did things like reaching out to our middle schools that we went
to who held fundraising days,” she says. Mindy is a graduate of St.
Teresa of Avila Middle School. St. Michael’s included the campaign in
its annual service initiative, and her dad’s company raised about
$10,000 by challenging different branches to raise the most.</p>
<p>With college in her future, Mindy hopes to become a psychologist
working with criminal behavior. While she won’t lead the fundraising
team this year, this amazing kid will still work to raise money and
awareness of leukemia and lymphoma. </p>
</div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-67243377932395826252021-09-01T07:00:00.002-05:002021-09-14T18:46:12.122-05:00BR Parents - Thrive: Supporting the Gardere Community with Service and Outreach<p> <i>First published in Baton Rouge Parents magazine's September 2021 issue and <a href="https://brparents.com/article/supporting-the-gardere-community-with-service-and-outreach.html" target="_blank">on its website</a>.<br /></i></p><div><p>Through feeding, encouraging participation in school, providing
financial support and much more, a local organization has been helping
families in the Gardere community thrive for 20 years. </p>
<p>Opening Doors, a Louisiana nonprofit corporation, was launched in
March 2001 by members of St. John’s United Methodist Church. The board
includes a resident of the Gardere area as well as a member of the
mayor’s staff. The nonprofit relies on volunteers to operate. Don Fuller
was the organization’s first president, and Sandra Kuykendall is the
current chairperson of the board. </p>
<p>“Members of the church wanted to expand their outreach and thought it
would be best to do that through a nonprofit,” Kuykendall says. </p>
<p>Its nonprofit status allows Opening Doors to apply for grants to fund
its work, and this year, the group received $15,000 from the Capital
Area United Way as part of its ALICE Grant Funding Opportunity. Opening
Doors used the funds for its Families in Transition program.</p>
<p>“We spent every dime and helped 21 individual families,” Kuykendall
says. “A lot of them were elderly people over 65, and many of them
simply had no jobs.” Most of the payments went for utility bills, a
medical bill, auto insurance and rent, and each family could receive up
to $1,000.</p>
<p>In addition to providing direct financial assistance through the
ALICE grant, Opening Doors has been able to connect community members in
need with other resources, such as Catholic Charities for families
recovering from an April flood and federal rental assistance programs.</p>
<p>The organization’s largest program is The Shepherd’s Market, a
client-choice food pantry that has operated since 2012 and serves more
than 400 families per month. Each December, 500 <br />
complete holiday dinners are distributed at its annual Great Turkey
Giveaway. During the pandemic, the pantry operates in a drive-thru
method. </p>
<p>“The pandemic has brought us many new families seeking food,” says
Theresa Sandifer, the pantry’s director. “We do not turn away anyone in
need.”</p>
<p>Holiday Superstore was Opening Doors’ first outreach program, and <br />
it continues annually. </p>
<p>“They wanted to develop a way of giving the kids gifts, but they
didn’t want to just do it as ‘here it is’ and hand it to them,”
Kuykendall says. </p>
<p>Parents with children at Charlie Thomas Head Start are able to earn
points toward holiday gifts through engagement, attendance and
volunteering. During spring semesters, parents earn gift cards through a
recognition program encouraging volunteering at the school.</p>
<p>Another early project for Opening Doors was its annual summer art
camp. Art from that effort is still on public display around the area. </p>
<p>“The art is something that’s out there and it’s quite outstanding,”
Kuykendall says. “We’d like to try to do some more of that in the
future.”</p>
<p>Financial literacy is another focus area for Opening Doors, and they
have offered classes, provided volunteers for the Jobs for Life program,
and annually offer free VITA tax preparation. Kuykendall says she would
love to expand financial literacy to youth. “Maybe as they get older
they will be able to handle their money in a better way and be wise with
the things that they do,” she says.</p>
<p>Opening Doors continues to make its mark on the community, and
Kuykendall hopes to recruit more volunteers. “We’re simply trying to
expand and get more involved in the Gardere area,” Kuykendall says.
“We’re always looking for people to get involved with Opening Doors as
well as come in with new ideas.”</p>
<p>For more information, visit openingdoorsbr.org. </p>
</div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-47143696397816675192021-09-01T06:47:00.001-05:002021-09-14T18:50:51.941-05:00BR Parents - September 2021<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://issuu.com/brparents/docs/brpm_sept2021_web/14" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirhSjxntRmxm1KUFCcQLL1JYqKLdLbnJfNmwdzV_QG73D16MV6ieoSAnhfuc7xG_FGKzWjfyUwETuyGwpJRDyZKcuXC7uwQHqh0bkkVAXJsB-g0LG6a1_jhM0OXNuq_l-OK2M5PqmAD4/s320/September2021_cover.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><br />As my final issue as education and community sections editor, I wrote pages 14-21 and page 26 of the September 2021 issue of Baton Rouge Parents magazine. <a href="https://issuu.com/brparents/docs/brpm_sept2021_web/14" target="_blank">Read the magazine on their website</a>.<br /><p></p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-50497811948479825322021-08-02T07:00:00.001-05:002021-08-08T13:05:49.208-05:00BR Parents Blog: Goodbye Preschool, Hello Kindergarten<p><a href="https://brparents.com/article/goodbye-preschool-hello-kindergarten.html" target="_blank"><i>First published on Baton Rouge Parents magazine's blog.</i></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqDMC_e7at5qkXjxt5iSPDC3Tdp4E8JYv38KGUuAatBe5ffrG8_5GbiuGjbq-irOlofxJzG4VYPKZLTfjb1GY7t3ldmIQDhR66DwAMYrleVBO7L9cHRbm0casVsZQIQZa4Rm2vrwj4E4/s816/GoodbyePreschool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="612" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqDMC_e7at5qkXjxt5iSPDC3Tdp4E8JYv38KGUuAatBe5ffrG8_5GbiuGjbq-irOlofxJzG4VYPKZLTfjb1GY7t3ldmIQDhR66DwAMYrleVBO7L9cHRbm0casVsZQIQZa4Rm2vrwj4E4/s320/GoodbyePreschool.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /></p><div><p>I’ve done this before, and I survived. I will do it again and
survive, probably even thrive. But I’m still feeling lots of feelings
about upcoming changes in our family’s life, mostly about sending our
second daughter to elementary school for the very first time.</p>
<p>Four years ago, I dropped my older daughter off for her first day of
Kindergarten, and this August, it’s finally her little sister’s turn. I
was all up in my feels with that first drop off, a million questions and
concerns. I remember being hyper-fixated on cartwheel shorts–what are
they and why didn’t we have any?!</p>
<p>Although I have a rising fourth grader and elementary school feels a
little old hat, I’m still feeling quite emotional about sending my baby
to Kindergarten, launching her “real” academic career in a way. Our
little one is ready to join her big sister, there’s no doubt about that.
We are very grateful that both sisters will be at the same elementary
school, the ideal situation in any family. </p>
<p>Thankfully, now we have plenty of cartwheel shorts to wear under
jumpers and skirts if that’s the type of uniform she chooses to wear. (I
also realize NOW that no, the school wouldn’t call me to pick up my
daughter if the shorts she wore under her skirt weren’t specifically
marketed as “cartwheel” shorts! But first-time Kindergarten mama Mari
was an entirely different person!)</p>
<p>Another transition for us this year was, of course, saying goodbye to
our beloved preschool in June, which was its own emotional experience.
Our girl had attended that school since she was two, weathering ups and
downs with COVID restrictions that cut short her Pre-K three year and
flood waters that cut short her Pre-K four year. After a three week,
half-day summer camp and a Tumbling Tigers add-on in June, we did our
final carline drop off and pick up at the preschool we adored. Saying
goodbye to such a treasured place and such deep friendships is never
easy, so we’ve tried to be gentle on ourselves. </p>
<p>This weird, in-between summer has been filled with job interviews and
resume polishing for me as I’ve looked for something more
professionally. Gratefully, I have accepted a new position that will
start right before the school year. This means a huge number of changes
hitting the Walker family all at once! Mama now becomes a full-time
employee rather than a part-time, work-from-home freelancer. Although
I’ll no longer be the education and community sections editor for <em>Baton Rouge Parents Magazine</em>,
I hope to continue to blog here, to ease that transition on myself at
least. I certainly don’t want to say goodbye to this beloved team and my
incredible editor entirely!</p>
<p>As a second-time-around Kindergarten mama, I’m still feeling a range
and depth of emotions: a little sad that her toddler/preschooler phase
is over, nostalgic for those earlier days, unbearably proud of her and
her readiness for school, and excited and grateful for her next phase in
life. Because she is my last child, as she starts elementary school,
I’m certainly feeling the double whammy of also saying goodbye to my
phase of life as a mama of littles. And I was such a good mama of
littles–time with my girls as babies, toddlers and preschoolers were
some of the best times of my life…so far. I can’t wait to see what’s in
store for us all, as we spread our wings and stretch into these new
challenges and experiences. We’re ready to grow!</p>
</div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-15293211278163546792021-08-01T08:30:00.000-05:002021-08-08T13:22:17.344-05:00BR Parents - One Amazing Kid: Jorden Wingerter<p> <i>First published in the August 2021 issue of Baton Rouge Parents magazine and <a href="https://brparents.com/article/jordan-wingerter.html" target="_blank">on its website.</a><br /></i></p><div><p>After picking up bowling less than two years before, Jordan
Wingerter quickly advanced in the sport to finish second in the
Louisiana High School Athletic Association State bowling singles
tournament as a freshman and bowled her new high score of 255.</p>
<p>“My dad is the one who really made me realize I have such a passion
for this sport,” Jordan, 15, says. Although no one else in her family
bowls, her parents, David Wingerter and Susan David, and older brother
Logan recognize and support Jordan’s natural talent.</p>
<p>Now a tenth grader at St. Joseph’s Academy, Jordan’s school coach
Shelly O’Dowd has also been a driver of Jordan’s success. “I never knew
that she was going to have such high expectations for me or that I could
perform so well,” Jordan says. </p>
<p>Jordan also works with a personal coach, Page Dew. “He’s also one of
the main reasons I perform so well and has helped me learn many
important life lessons.”</p>
<p>Bowling during COVID-19 restrictions added a new challenge of
competing in a mask. Although players were allowed to remove their masks
for their approach, Jordan kept hers on the whole time.</p>
<p>The sport’s season stretches from February through the summer, with
school and league competitions, so Jordan hasn’t participated in other
high school sports. Jordan loves to read, and math is one of her
favorite subjects. This amazing kid plans to continue to bowl
competitively and hopes to earn college scholarships.</p>
</div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-63521981833603726132021-08-01T08:00:00.001-05:002021-08-08T13:13:12.123-05:00BR Parents - Thrive: Dancing Through Life, Including a Triathlon<p> <i>First published in the August 2021 issue of Baton Rouge Parents magazine and <a href="https://brparents.com/article/dancing-through-life-including-a-triathlon.html" target="_blank">on its website.</a><br /></i></p><div><p>With the Special Olympics canceled for another year to help slow
the spread of COVID-19, the options for athletes with intellectual
disabilities were even more limited. But for 25-year-old Christopher
Ballard of Denham Springs, a new athletic challenge presented itself:
completing a triathlon. </p>
<p>Christopher has Down syndrome, so the Freedom Fest Triathlon in New
Roads modified the cycling part of the race to accommodate his speed.
Christopher finished the 400-meter swim, five-mile bike ride (instead of
the 10 miles other competitors rode) and two-mile run/walk.</p>
<p>“If they hadn’t had to close the road down early, he could have
completed the whole thing,” says Mary Ballard, Christopher’s mother. “He
had the endurance, they just didn’t have the time for him to do it.”</p>
<p>The triathlon was a family affair, and Mary participated and finished
as well. Their times were both a little over two hours. “How can I tell
him no when I’m expecting him to do this?” she says. Older brother
Blake, younger brother Joshua and dad Robert are also present for
everything Christopher does. “Family support is everything,” Mary says.</p>
<p>Tiffany Landreneau was Christopher’s coach for the triathlon and has
worked with him and others to train for the Special Olympics for a
couple years. “She’s been right there by his side. She has been his
rock,” Mary says.</p>
<p>Training for the triathlon happened mostly on the short street where
the Ballards live. “He was content to do his running and riding right
here on our street,” Mary says. Christopher trained with Tiffany in the
pool at Southeastern Louisiana University, and closer to the race, did
several weeks of swimming in a lake to get used to the open water. “He
jumped in, caught his breath, and took off swimming and never looked
back,” Mary says.</p>
<p>Christopher loves to dance, and he regularly dances as part of
worship services at his church, Revival Temple in Walker, where he’s
also involved in children’s ministry. He even danced during the
triathlon.</p>
<p>“He was probably the most active baby I’ve ever had in my womb,” Mary
says. “He was constantly moving, and when he came out, he just kept
right on dancing.”</p>
<p>In addition to his athletic pursuits, Christopher is a student at
Southeastern in their Lions Connected program, majoring in theater,
dance and music. Although the classes are not for credit, he gains
knowledge and will finish the four-year program next year. He was also
in the first special needs class at Denham Springs High School to
graduate with a diploma rather than a certificate, and he lettered in
three sports: powerlifting, swim, and track and field.</p>
<p>Bowling is another sport in which Christopher excels, and it’s a way
for him and his family to build community, helping connect others to
resources and navigate legal issues in a forced heir state. Their team,
Livingston Legendz, draws families from as far as Central and Port Allen
to compete and celebrate milestones together. When the Special Olympics
resume, Christopher hopes to make it to nationals with bowling, and the
possibility of completing an Ironman competition also interests him.</p>
<p>As he continues to thrive in all aspects of his exceptional life,
Christopher works for Carter’s Grocery Store in Denham Springs. His work
schedule is flexible to accommodate his academic schedule, and he works
Friday mornings. “Some people go every Friday just to see Christopher,”
Mary says. “He’s proud of his paycheck. And I’m proud of him.”</p>
</div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-74875470445942112882021-08-01T07:00:00.001-05:002021-08-08T13:10:49.104-05:00BR Parents: August 2021<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkm6cPLQ5SPTeSQraJ33IH5-OrLuSHea50RVKUwVKsBTheHp0dHY1NmJ5hrtJa0kdKPPa958oDcDjwsfhCXsNvmjuZOesxTlrhNnzm1omg84NE9f3YGPc-W1fGKJn53LYhy5QBnzd5bjQ/s400/August_2021.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkm6cPLQ5SPTeSQraJ33IH5-OrLuSHea50RVKUwVKsBTheHp0dHY1NmJ5hrtJa0kdKPPa958oDcDjwsfhCXsNvmjuZOesxTlrhNnzm1omg84NE9f3YGPc-W1fGKJn53LYhy5QBnzd5bjQ/s320/August_2021.png" width="320" /></a>As education and community sections editor, I wrote pages 14-21 and page 26 for<i> Baton Rouge Parents</i> magazine's August 2021 issue. <a href="https://issuu.com/brparents/docs/0821_brpm_august/14" target="_blank">Read the magazine on their website.</a><br /></p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-25886921022685933602021-07-01T07:05:00.001-05:002021-07-07T14:29:18.797-05:00BR Parents - Thrive: Suiting Up Students to Honor Her Husband’s Legacy<p>First published on <a href="https://brparents.com/article/suiting-up-students-to-honor-her-husbands-legacy.html" target="_blank">the <i>Baton Rouge Parents Magazine </i>website</a> and in the July 2021 issue.</p><p>Thriving after losing a spouse can almost feel impossible in the immediate aftermath. However, two years after her husband’s death caught their family by surprise, Denise J. Brown and her adult children have come together and launched a nonprofit organization to honor his memory.<br /><br />Eugene M. Brown Sr. was a master tailor who, with Denise, founded Brown & Brown Custom Clothiers in 1973, a business now run by their sons. Denise is a former educator and was <br />a director of a Mentoring for Success program at Capitol High School. <br /><br />Launched in December 2020, Suiting 101 beautifully blends the talents and interests of Denise and her late husband. The nonprofit’s mission is to mentor and train at-risk, underprivileged students with life skills, focusing on the importance of appearance and presentation.<br /><br />“(Eugene) had a love for people, and he loved dressing his clients for success,” Denise says. “He loved outfitting them in business attire for their interviews or for church or whatever the occasion was.” <br /><br />Suiting 101 aims to provide that type of image assistance for high school juniors and seniors, along with ACT prep, financial literacy and other mentoring. Upon graduation, each participating student will receive a suit and accessories. <br /><br />“We want to give them a brand new suit that they can go off to college with and remember all the things that we’ve put in them,” Denise says. The nonprofit hopes the high school program can begin this school year, pending funding. <br /><br />The organization is a family affair, with Denise and Eugene’s children, Eugene M. Brown II, Artie Varnado, and O’Lindsey Brown, serving as board members. Other board members <br />were friends of Eugene Sr. “I wanted my board members to have a heart for him and for what I’m doing,” Denise says.<br /><br />Eugene Sr. would often help former prisoners after their release. “He would outfit them in a suit so they could go out and get a job,” Denise says. <br /><br />A gently used suit collection drive became Suiting 101’s first community outreach project in April. It was more successful than Denise expected, especially as it took place on a very rainy day in the parking lot of the main branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. <br /><br />“We collected over 500 suits, and people are still calling, especially businessmen who have retired and don’t need those suits anymore.” Donors honored the organization’s request that suits be dry cleaned, on hangers and labeled with sizes. <br /><br />Denise has filled two donated storage units, and the nonprofit is in the process of passing along the suits to partner organizations, including Catholic Charities Joseph Homes, HOPE Ministries, Christian Outreach Center, and Fathers on a Mission. <br /><br />In addition to her work with Suiting 101, Denise continues working at Brown & Brown. “I’m there generally every day,” she says. “I love doing the colors and helping the men match their ties, suits and fabrics.” Denise stays active with daily morning walks and meditation. She enjoys cooking, baking, gardening and spending time with her five lovely <br />grandchildren. <br /><br />Denise attends Word of Life Christian Center in Darrow and has been a member since 1990. “I have a great church family and many of them helped me with the Suiting 101 suit drive,” she says. “I pray and seek the Lord for direction in everything I do. It’s the only way I can make it.”<br /><br />Those interested in volunteering, donating or just learning more about Suiting 101 can visit suiting101.org, email suiting101@gmail.com or call (225) 241-2456.<br /></p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-84066625216590803862021-07-01T07:00:00.001-05:002021-07-07T14:26:39.382-05:00BR Parents: One Amazing Kid - Ivory Gipson<p><i>First published on <a href="https://brparents.com/article/ivory-gipson.html" target="_blank">Baton Rouge Parents Magazine's website</a> and in the July 2021 issue.</i> <br /></p><p>In high school, Ivory Gipson maintained a near-perfect GPA and was a
three-sport varsity athlete, band member, fellow in the Baton Rouge
Youth Coalition (BRYC), vice president of the Goal Society, and held
down a part-time job. “I did every sport and every club that was there
in my time at Northeast,” he says.<br />
<br />
The recent graduate was named one of six 2021 Louisiana Young Heroes by
Louisiana Public Broadcasting. The program celebrates achievements of
inspiring students who make their communities better places. Ivory found
out he was named a Young Hero while on a college visit with Lucas
Spielfogel, Ivory’s mentor in BRYC and the organization’s executive
director, who nominated him.<br />
<br />
Ivory, 18, credits his mom, Latasha Gipson, for his success. “My mom is
my superhero without a cape,” he says. “She’ll take her last $20 out of
her wallet so I can do something.”<br />
<br />
Latasha also taught Ivory to be a caregiver, as he has helped her care
for his four-year-old niece Unica Mitchell, which he calls his proudest
accomplishment. “I think I’m her favorite person. She’s kind of got me
wrapped around her finger.”<br />
<br />
The next step for Ivory is a full-ride to Skidmore College in Saratoga
Springs, New York. Ivory knew it was the right school for him when he
visited with Spielfogel. “I could feel myself being there,” Ivory
shares.<br />
<br />
As a Young Hero, caregiver, excellent student and star athlete, Ivory is certainly one amazing kid. <br /></p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-67114164222458922792021-07-01T06:55:00.007-05:002021-07-07T14:34:58.159-05:00BR Parents: July 2021<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneQZFodRXxJbx_dfoe361EwSstEktrbY73hzp_FTXDrucfVeQTb3woGZ4IEDPuQ_YhFDZ8M_1FijCsgvzxsWb4FZj1HoQg0Y29X3l4nj16gL_vKoR7XyWoc53g3ICPU30geO4iNlNtOk/s411/July2021_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneQZFodRXxJbx_dfoe361EwSstEktrbY73hzp_FTXDrucfVeQTb3woGZ4IEDPuQ_YhFDZ8M_1FijCsgvzxsWb4FZj1HoQg0Y29X3l4nj16gL_vKoR7XyWoc53g3ICPU30geO4iNlNtOk/s320/July2021_cover.jpg" /></a></div>As Education and Community sections editor, I wrote <a href="https://issuu.com/brparents/docs/july_2021_final/14" target="_blank">pages 14-24 and page 26 of the July 2021 issue of <i>Baton Rouge Parents </i>magazine</a>. (I did not write the briefs about Summer Olympics on page 14 or about author Julie Sternberg on page 17.)<br /><p></p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-75644758045000886952021-06-24T12:07:00.003-05:002021-06-24T12:07:22.040-05:00BR Parents Blog: Embracing the Cheugy - Yeah, I’m Basic!<p><span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">First published on <a href="https://brparents.com/article/embracing-the-cheugy--yeah-im-basic.html" target="_blank">the <i>Baton Rouge Parents</i> magazine website.</a></span></p><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJPm_4ToZN2T1qbgglqKKKEgpw91F51to9R3ofSESMgYvv9_RhVTHoGEV-Ux0NDPcRwsLyXY9-BQ13ogrNbj55nN8PbIqldSVzlYjDnfpEg4qiCXhs06RkFAWn0VQB9dRsKNNy77Qw-s/s816/Cheugy_YaBasic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="612" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJPm_4ToZN2T1qbgglqKKKEgpw91F51to9R3ofSESMgYvv9_RhVTHoGEV-Ux0NDPcRwsLyXY9-BQ13ogrNbj55nN8PbIqldSVzlYjDnfpEg4qiCXhs06RkFAWn0VQB9dRsKNNy77Qw-s/s320/Cheugy_YaBasic.jpg" /></a></div>Gen Z is at it again–creating a new word to make fun of older
people and the things we enjoy. First it was basic, but now it’s cheugy,
which arguably seems meaner since it’s a made-up word with such hard
consonant sounds? Also “basic” was popularized on the TV shows <em>Parks & Rec</em> and <em>The Good Place</em>,
basic entertainment in themselves that somehow softens the blow. We’ll
see how the “cheugy” term unfolds, but it’s definitely made the rounds
in my corners of the internet. It was even in <em>The New York Times</em>:
"cheugy can be used, broadly, to describe someone who is out of date or
trying too hard." That last part is a little ouchy, as I am loath to
want to seem to be trying too hard or at all…I know that <em>trying</em> is forever uncool! But honestly, I’ve always been out of date?<p></p>
<p>I turned 40 last year, which makes me either a very young Gen X (my
preference) or an elder millennial. I grew up in the middle of nowhere
Oklahoma, so trends were late getting to us, which is an argument for me
counting as part of Gen X. Another is that I only started wearing
millennial favorite skinny jeans in the last year, just before Gen Z
claimed they are out of style. Whoops! Side parts are also apparently a
no go, but my asymmetrical face and I will be keeping my hair as it is. </p>
<p>Part of the aging process for me has gratefully included becoming
more comfortable with who I am and being OK with the things I like. I am
basic and will own that descriptor while recognizing there is privilege
in having my tastes represented in popular culture. I like pop music
(especially from the 90s when I was a teenager) and many hit TV shows
when I find time to watch. I’m not especially trendy in my clothing
choices or overly worried about makeup, but I am mesmerized by YouTube
makeup artists and can spend inordinate amounts of time watching
applications I will never attempt. (Do you have any favorite creators
you’d recommend?)</p>
<p>While I still have tendencies to not want to be a sheep or just part
of a crowd that laps up the soup du jour, so to speak, I can recognize
that there’s a reason popular things are popular. I even love iced
coffee, the ultimate basic! (You can keep your pumpkin spice lattes,
however.)</p>
<p>One gift of the pandemic was a realization that I really love Taylor
Swift’s music. She’s a decade younger than me, and her target audience
was younger than her when she was at her early peak. But after a friend
mentioned how much she loved the <em>folklore</em> album, I gave myself
permission to listen and have turned into something of a superfan, even
if it’s many years late! I can now share the enjoyment of her music with
my girls. We love to “shake it off” and sing “why you gotta be so
mean?” to each other. Maybe my girls and I are basic together!</p>
<p>I’m basic, and that’s OK. I doubt I’ll ever embrace “cheugy” in the
same way. It’s a pleasure to watch trends come and go, and hopefully my
experiences will help my daughters navigate their own style choices. (A
mom can dream, am I right?)</p>
<p>Where do you fall on the basic to cool scale? I think, perhaps, that for me basic has <em>become</em> cool, allowing me to embrace it. Has parenting changed how you think about yourself?</p>
</div><p><span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span></p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-8830580067849982442021-06-01T15:25:00.001-05:002021-06-10T15:28:00.702-05:00BR Parents: June 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHKpBxOzQuqnPWJ3uRb6cDFMfHlu6ckKHYUlZX9Fak_ZoVJdLi2GndFTF0Wmm_E1ocqPIcFEdTjMhlTrh89RkZPo_6BMmW8NH6bq0OY_Sp79ajgaLQFIRNEaxCAmkEpq4vDvMgy01kyw/s400/June2021_cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHKpBxOzQuqnPWJ3uRb6cDFMfHlu6ckKHYUlZX9Fak_ZoVJdLi2GndFTF0Wmm_E1ocqPIcFEdTjMhlTrh89RkZPo_6BMmW8NH6bq0OY_Sp79ajgaLQFIRNEaxCAmkEpq4vDvMgy01kyw/w400-h300/June2021_cover.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>As Education and Community sections editor, I wrote pages pages 14-21 and page 26 of the June 2021 issue of <i> Baton Rouge Parents</i>
magazine. <a href="https://issuu.com/brparents/docs/book_june2021_small/14" target="_blank">See the web layout on the magazine's website. </a></p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-46229155463217082062021-06-01T12:04:00.001-05:002021-06-24T12:05:33.586-05:00BR Parents - One Amazing Kid: Caroline Simpson<p><a href="https://brparents.com/article/caroline-simpson.html" target="_blank">Originally published on the Baton Rouge Parents magazine website.</a></p><div><p>Last summer during the height of stay-at-home orders, Caroline
Simpson began her unique internship with the Baton Rouge Coroner’s
Office, working for Dr. Beau Clark.</p>
<p>A recent graduate of St. Michael the Archangel High School,
Caroline’s focus on forensics began with reading. “In sixth grade, I
read a book series that really got me interested in murder mysteries and
crime,” <em>I Hunt Killers</em> by Barry Lyga.</p>
<p>“She’s really interested in stuff that not many people are,” says
Natalie Simpson, Caroline’s mom. In ninth grade, Caroline was able to
view her first autopsy when her dad, Bill Simpson, won a “Spend a Day
with the Coroner” at an auction.</p>
<p>“I was so worried–am I gonna throw up and pass out on the ground?”
Caroline remembers. “But luckily, I went in and I was so fascinated. I
could do this every day.”</p>
<p>Now 18, Caroline was a leader in her school’s youth ministry and a
soccer team captain her senior year. “Especially with a younger team,
when you’re one of the older people…you’ve always got to be doing your
best,” Caroline says. </p>
<p>“I’m very thankful for the gifts and interests I have,” she says. “I
think they make me very different than the average person. I am a little
odd, but I absolutely love it.”</p>
<p>Caroline has signed with Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport
to play soccer. This amazing kid plans to major in pre-med with a goal
to become a forensic pathologist.</p>
</div><p> </p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-67000694121161806582021-06-01T12:00:00.001-05:002021-06-24T12:04:06.794-05:00BR Parents - Thrive: Going Viral: Teen Connects Through Poetry and TikTok Videos<p>Originally posted on <a href="https://brparents.com/article/going-viral-teen-connects-through-poetry-and-tiktok-videos.html" target="_blank">the Baton Rouge Parents magazine website.</a></p><div><p>Although he didn’t speak until he was five, Cohen Swain is
finding his voice. The 15-year-old is on the autism spectrum and has
written a poem, <em>Hold On, I’m Trying</em>, that has gone viral. </p>
<p>Originally an assignment for a resilience project in Catherine
Lucas’s freshman English class last fall, Cohen’s poem has been
copyrighted. A video of Cohen reading it was published by Ascension
Parish Schools as part of Disabilities Awareness Month in March and has
been shared more than 100 times from its Facebook page and viewed more
than 50 times on its YouTube channel.</p>
<p>The poem shares Cohen’s memories and struggles, each stanza ending with “Hold on, I’m trying,” something he says often. </p>
<p>“When I read it, I see everything separate; I can separate all of
those memories,” says Krystal Swain, Cohen’s mom. “It was emotional for
us and everyone that knows Cohen that’s read it.” A particularly
poignant memory comes when Cohen’s brother Mason was born. Cohen went
from being nonverbal to speaking his first sentence when his parents,
Krystal and his dad, Matt, returned from the hospital: “Look, mom, a
baby.”</p>
<p>The poem may be a work in progress, as Krystal says she expects Cohen
to add to it each year as he continues to grow and mature, and they are
considering possible ways to share it.</p>
<p>Krystal is particularly touched by the public response, which she
says has been entirely positive. “It’s amazing how one poem can connect
people,” she says. “It’s relatable to any situation. Everybody remembers
a time where they were unable to communicate how they felt or they were
nervous, and the poem kind of takes you through all that.”</p>
<p>Attention isn’t new for Cohen, as his family’s work advocating for
children living with disabilities over the years has led him to
receiving keys to both Gonzales and Ascension Parish when he was a
preschooler. After Cohen was diagnosed with a mild form of autism,
doctors didn’t think he would ever be verbal. Krystal threw herself into
research and taking care of Cohen. “I found that there was a big need,”
she says. At the time, Louisiana did not officially proclaim April as
Autism Awareness Month and very limited resources for parents existed.
So, Krystal started locally, asking for and receiving proclamations
first from Gonzales Mayor Barney Arceneaux and then from Ascension
Parish President Tommy Martinez.</p>
<p>Krystal and Cohen were part of fundraising for Project Kids Kove,
which led to the creation of Kids Kove Discovery Park, a playground in
Gonzales designed for children of all abilities. Before COVID
restrictions set in, Krystal and Cohen also worked for years with the
Active for Autism 5K, Fun Walk & Family Fun Fest, run by Families
Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge.</p>
<p>“With COVID restrictions, we miss the volunteer time,” Krystal says.
“That was something we did together as a family and definitely special
for me and Cohen to do together.”</p>
<p>Videogames are an outlet for Cohen, and he also loves anime, creating
memes on TikTok where his account, @official___asta, has more than
30,000 followers. He also loves to perform as a mascot, serving three
years as the eagle mascot for Dutchtown Middle and as an octopus at the
fun fest. Cohen is a percussionist for Dutchtown Sound at his high
school. </p>
<p>Cohen continues to thrive. “For as much as this kid struggles, he has
already accomplished so much and has so much to give,” Krystal says.</p>
</div><p> </p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-79399525078716348072021-05-22T09:46:00.002-05:002021-05-22T09:46:10.230-05:00BR Parents Blog - Doing Hard Things: Zipline Edition<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtkEESzM8Cge2DX38S_CZ2p3oc6nABMP8ItIU5cn1kyQNggflyNcyFe7x78jmmYQPc7EBZFSFi3f23CGT5FZhHf4gwRjZWDbMftN3rBt_8OXj6j-mlLdAjV0EOHB3c1gJlP1VcPULvec/s816/DoingHardThings_1_before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtkEESzM8Cge2DX38S_CZ2p3oc6nABMP8ItIU5cn1kyQNggflyNcyFe7x78jmmYQPc7EBZFSFi3f23CGT5FZhHf4gwRjZWDbMftN3rBt_8OXj6j-mlLdAjV0EOHB3c1gJlP1VcPULvec/w300-h400/DoingHardThings_1_before.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">First published on <a href="https://brparents.com/article/doing-hard-things--zipline-edition.html" target="_blank">the <i>Baton Rouge Parents</i> magazine website.</a></span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">I can do hard things, and you can too, to borrow a phrase</span><span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-can-do-hard-things-with-glennon-doyle/id1564530722" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #fa5064; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">from Glennon Doyle</a><span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">. From getting ready to send my baby to Kindergarten to juggling anxiety about resuming in-person life after</span><span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span><a href="https://brparents.com/article/we-are-all-irreplaceable-deciding-to-get-my-covid-vaccine.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #fa5064; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">being vaccinated against COVID-19</a><span style="background-color: #fbfbfb; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">, hard things are all around me and I am leaning in and doing them.</span></p><p style="background-color: #fbfbfb; box-sizing: border-box; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">I recently got the chance to do a less serious hard thing with my older daughter and her Girl Scout troop. We traveled to <a href="https://www.magnoliaridgeadventurepark.com/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #fa5064;">Magnolia Ridge Adventure Park</a> in Ethel for a morning of ziplining.</p><p style="background-color: #fbfbfb; box-sizing: border-box; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">There are 15 girls in the troop, and rarely can our schedules all align, but something about this activity called to each girl and we had the full cadre of Brownies. Most moms were also on hand, and in our text thread leading up to the day, it sounded like every mom was going to do the ziplining as if it were no big deal. (!!!)</p><p style="background-color: #fbfbfb; box-sizing: border-box; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">With a limited scope of imagination, I couldn’t be sure if I would feel comfortable being left behind while everyone else participated. Like, if the zipline was one way rather than a loop, would I have to walk behind/beneath them for hours? And in general I want to try to do hard things, at least in part to show my daughters that I can. Hard things are often where the most fun and enriching experiences can be found. </p><p style="background-color: #fbfbfb; box-sizing: border-box; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">As it turns out, the adventure starts and ends in the same place, and I certainly could have sat at the picnic tables and waited the hours, or even better just sent my daughter with the troop without going myself. </p><p style="background-color: #fbfbfb; box-sizing: border-box; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">After putting on all the safety gear, including a much-too-small but definitely “adult-sized” helmet, I paid close attention during the ground school. Unfortunately, I still couldn’t understand how the braking worked. We wore big work gloves, and the idea was in order to slow yourself down you would press a gloved hand firmly onto the line above you, letting the friction slow your speed.</p><p style="background-color: #fbfbfb; box-sizing: border-box; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">It sounds so simple, and after seeing a video a mom posted later that showed the zipliner come toward the camera, it all made perfect sense. But in the moment, up in the trees on wobbly wooden platforms with a racing heart, it would not click for me. And being the <a href="https://brparents.com/article/how-do-i-respond-to-comments-from-kids-about-my-body.html" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #fa5064;">heaviest in the group</a> meant I went the fastest, and had the hardest challenge to slow myself down!</p><p style="background-color: #fbfbfb; box-sizing: border-box; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">After the first line, the guide spoke harshly, trying to explain what I was doing wrong. My personality wilts under criticism even under the best of circumstances, but shaking and scared up so high it was much worse. I was also determined to keep it together for the benefit of the scouts, some of whom were conquering their own fears, so I did not give in to the tears that threatened to fall.</p><p style="background-color: #fbfbfb; box-sizing: border-box; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">There were two ziplines that ended on the ground, so I was able to slow myself with my feet on those, which I found to be much easier. One time I accidentally did brake correctly, slowing myself just right to the cheers of the guide, girls and other moms. But the other five zips (there are eight total at this park), I was on the receiving end of more barking corrections from the guide, who I really liked and desperately wanted to please (another facet of my personality … why can’t everyone like me?!). I really screwed up trying to brake on one line, and a glove got caught under the trolley, smashing my left pinkie finger. The pain was shocking, and my finger was swollen and angry for a few days after. I knew it wasn’t broken so I didn't say a word to the guide or the other moms, powering through until I could get home to ice it. It’s mostly fine now.</p><p style="background-color: #fbfbfb; box-sizing: border-box; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">At the end of the adventure, when I finally got to take off the too-small helmet, it had left an angry red mark on my forehead that lasted for hours and a soreness and tenderness that lasted a few days. My brain was literally being squeezed, so I can give myself a little grace for my failures to brake. With my feet back on the ground, I was shaken and just wanted to cry. I managed to make the trip back home (we carpooled so I didn’t have to drive) before I let the tears flow and felt recovered.</p><p style="background-color: #fbfbfb; box-sizing: border-box; color: #464646; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Have you checked out the longest zipline in Louisiana? I survived it! I did a hard thing, and I’m proud that I did. What hard things have you been up to lately?</p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-54420431059417967052021-05-01T07:30:00.000-05:002021-05-17T14:31:54.508-05:00BR Parents May 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTaxfh0ynF7wJ4gPjzF5ZwddxjqmG70KJXVUZ2tYXu06b_ThJQKidFDzAySwaXeI1atNnXLFt0NHzUCcwJOqHfVVkxDndqrmQctQ8Smj8Qf_tL15iX1NWsO5wO8iLz0STT1vWXrHKZGQ/s526/May2021_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTaxfh0ynF7wJ4gPjzF5ZwddxjqmG70KJXVUZ2tYXu06b_ThJQKidFDzAySwaXeI1atNnXLFt0NHzUCcwJOqHfVVkxDndqrmQctQ8Smj8Qf_tL15iX1NWsO5wO8iLz0STT1vWXrHKZGQ/s320/May2021_cover.jpg" /></a></div><p>As Education and Community sections editor, I wrote pages pages 14-21 and page 26 of the May 2021 issue of <i> Baton Rouge Parents</i>
magazine. <a href="https://issuu.com/brparents/docs/may_2021_book_small" target="_blank">See the web layout on the magazine's website. </a></p><p></p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-35428612136443195062021-05-01T07:05:00.002-05:002021-06-24T12:01:03.524-05:00BR Parents - One Amazing Kid: Preston Horton<p>Originally published in the <a href="https://brparents.com/article/preston-horton.html" target="_blank">May 2021 issue of <i>Baton Rouge Parents</i> magazine and on its website.</a><br /></p><div><p>An idea that came about to help a grieving grandfather has
expanded to help many more senior citizens. Eleven-year-old Preston
Horton formed “Joyful Melodies” with his younger siblings in 2018 to
bring music to older people in need of company. When COVID-19
restrictions forced Preston to revamp that work, he moved performances
outdoors and performed for smaller, socially distanced audiences. </p>
<p>For his exemplary volunteer work, the sixth grader at Copper Mill
Elementary School in Zachary has been named Louisiana’s top middle-level
youth volunteer by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, an honor
that includes a $2,500 scholarship and a silver medallion. </p>
<p>Preston is no stranger to volunteering, which he started doing at his
school and a local food pantry. This Easter, he provided 70 baskets for
residents at a local nursing home and created a virtual concert for
them to enjoy. </p>
<p>“I’m an average kid who enjoys helping others,” Preston says. “My
faith in God and the principles I’ve learned from my church motivate me
to serve.” </p>
<p>The entire Horton family is musical, including parents Marvin and Precious, and siblings, Joie, Marlon, Presley and Princeton. </p>
<p>Mrs. Horton says Preston is mature, selfless and giving. “He’s the
type of child that steps in wherever someone needs a helping hand,” she
says. “Most people can’t really believe he’s only 11. His ideas are far
beyond him.” </p>
<p>With his service-oriented heart, Preston is certainly one amazing kid. </p>
</div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-55755364308488406502021-05-01T07:00:00.001-05:002021-05-17T14:37:20.103-05:00BR Parents - Thrive: The Girl Who Doesn’t Give Up<p>Originally posted on <a href="https://brparents.com/article/the-girl-who-doesnt-give-up.html" target="_blank">the <i>Baton Rouge Parents</i> magazine website</a>.</p><div><p>A nine-year-old second grader, Piper Walters loves <em>Frozen</em>,
her dog Amelia, and riding her bike. Despite the challenges that come
with living with cerebral palsy, Piper makes the most of her life.</p>
<p>“She likes to dance, she actually takes ballet and tap,” says Tessa
Walters, Piper’s mom. “She likes to ride her bike.” Piper’s bike is a
giant tricycle with harnesses and straps to help keep her safe while she
rides, and she received it in 2018 from the McLindon Family
Foundation. </p>
<p>“Piper’s (bike) is so important to us, and not only allows her to
have fun, but it’s good exercise and coordination. And those bikes are
very expensive,” says Tessa.</p>
<p>Giving back is important to the Walters family, which includes Tessa,
Piper and her dad George. They often participate in fundraisers to
support other children who live with disabilities. Before the pandemic,
the family worked with Louisiana Hogs on Hogs, now called South
Louisiana Volunteers, to host a softball tournament, raising money to
provide adaptive bikes for kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford
one.</p>
<p>The tournament benefited the McLindon Family Foundation and provided
adaptive bikes for two children, including Cami Rios, one of Piper’s
school friends. Tessa was Cami’s paraprofessional and now is a fourth
grade teacher at their school, Seventh Ward Elementary in Denham
Springs. </p>
<p>Tessa and Piper being at the same school makes life easier. “We have
such a good support system at school, and they keep her safe,” Tessa
says. “It takes a village, but I have a good one.” </p>
<p>Piper is in a class for moderately to severely disabled learners, and
she has a teacher and a paraprofessional who work with her throughout
the day. </p>
<p>“Piper can count to 10 by herself. She knows her ABCs. She can spell
her name,” Tessa says. “There’s so much she can do that she couldn’t do
when she started going (to school). She’s very popular and everybody
loves her. She is everybody’s friend.”</p>
<p>The school provides accessible equipment for Piper and other children
to use. “She has a gait trainer at school, so she can run around in the
gym with her friends,” Tessa says. A wheelchair-accessible picnic table
was recently donated. “Piper can sit out and have lunch with her
friends, and they can do their little birthday party things.”</p>
<p>Tenacity is a character trait that Piper exudes. As she thrives in
life, she continues to beat the odds and do things doctors told her
parents she wouldn’t be able to do. “The girl has no quit,” Tessa says.
“If there’s something she wants to do, she’s going to find a way to do
it. Anything she wants to do, she will figure out her own innovative way
of doing it.”</p>
<p>Amelia, Piper’s service dog that she nicknamed “Mia,” is the most
recent addition to the Walters family. “She’s ours now for good,” Tessa
says. “She can help detect seizures if there’s one imminent. She can
also do the deep pressure where she lays on Piper’s lap and provides
comfort. She’s just a good companion for Piper.” </p>
<p>Just before the pandemic hit in 2020, Piper was crowned a Very
Special Miss Louisiana Ambassador. Very Special Miss Louisiana is a
pageant for young ladies who are living with special needs. The pageant
is also a fundraiser for the nonprofit TARC (Teach, Assist, Reach,
Connect). COVID-19 temporarily shrank Piper’s world, causing her to
switch to virtual therapy and stay home for months. However, things are
getting better, and in addition to in-person school, Piper’s in-clinic
therapy has resumed.</p>
</div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-33190645695215477412021-04-26T11:01:00.001-05:002021-04-26T11:01:03.329-05:00BR Parents Blog: The Comeback Kid: Celebrating the Return of Birthday Parties<p> Originally published on <a href="https://brparents.com/article/the-comeback-kid-celebrating-the-return-of-birthday-parties.html" target="_blank">the Baton Rouge Parents magazine website</a>.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNcmILFnCh6p52TSFveCRbR3LiRZ4I_5u55BWics6R8RM1bYpRDwLpSqiETAVdM4wCOZwngWNZmpZDbpW43z_2cc-1qtASe2gtWas1teKe5oa3E0ny9pqVrjv8YVf2FHRuGmtcBhXwV4/s1024/Bouncy+Playdate+Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNcmILFnCh6p52TSFveCRbR3LiRZ4I_5u55BWics6R8RM1bYpRDwLpSqiETAVdM4wCOZwngWNZmpZDbpW43z_2cc-1qtASe2gtWas1teKe5oa3E0ny9pqVrjv8YVf2FHRuGmtcBhXwV4/w480-h640/Bouncy+Playdate+Party.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div><p>My poor five year old, with her spring birthday, has now had two
COVID-style celebrations. However, this year we made the festivities
incrementally bigger. Instead of <a href="https://brparents.com/article/a-home-centered-birthday-a-fourth-trip-around-the-sun.html">a family-only celebration</a>
and the half-hearted drive-by party of 2020 when she turned four (which
we piggybacked off an older church friend who has her same birthday),
this year we invited one (1) friend to come play. Basically we hosted a
playdate party like <a href="https://brparents.com/article/a-playdate-style-birthday-party.html">her 3rd birthday</a>,
but much, much smaller. In the year of COVID, a playdate became her
heart’s desire, and it was so sweet to be able to fulfill that request
that used to be so minor and has come to feel so risky.</p>
<p>This year, when her age became a whole hand, we rented a bouncy house
for the backyard to make things feel more special and a little
different than just a playdate, although having a friend at our house
was a novelty in itself. Now that we know COVID is less likely to spread
via surfaces or when staying outside, I felt comfortable hosting a
friend. The girls also have been together in in-person preschool since
August, and my husband and I were already halfway through our vaccine
doses, so those made it feel even less risky. I was glad our friend’s
mom agreed!</p>
<p>Once we decided how we would celebrate, little sister and I
brainstormed our party lunch menu, cake and ice cream options, and other
ideas for things to play with this best school friend whom she loves so
much. With simple sandwiches, a strawberry box cake, small cups of
swirled vanilla and chocolate ice cream, and lots of Shopkins, arts,
crafts and drawing, the party turned out to be our most successful and
least stressful so far. She and her friend had the best time together,
bouncing and laughing, and all I had to do was hang out with them in the
yard and make sure they had enough to eat and drink. The time flew by
in a flash, and our friend was here for four hours, basically twice as
long as we’d have a normal party with lots of guests. While I still
don’t know if I’m completely following <a href="https://brparents.com/article/wanna-play-navigating-playdate-etiquette.html">the best etiquette guides for playdates</a>, the low-key celebration felt good and was a lot of fun.</p>
<p>Marking her fifth birthday, which feels like <a href="https://brparents.com/article/halfway-thru-her-childhood.html">another momentous age</a>,
actually spread across a few days. I accidentally made my Facebook
friends wish her a happy birthday twice: first I posted a picture of her
with the beautiful pink cake we made for her playdate party, then again
by posting a cute picture on her actual birthday, which was a
Wednesday. Her dad’s birthday is a few days before hers, so we had a
solid week of cake at our house. No complaints here!</p>
<p>It seems like we’re not the only family tired of not celebrating with
friends. Although the birthday party invitations have dried up for the
most part, they’re starting to trickle in again. We’re slowly getting
invited to celebrate with other friends. In the before times, with two
girls in school, we would go to at least one party a month and sometimes
more. It felt like we were playing birthday bingo–how many different
places can a kid have a party in Baton Rouge? (The answer seems
infinite!) Our first foray into accepting an invitation in this weird
in-between time will be at a new-to-us venue this weekend, another
square on the bingo card checked off!</p>
<p>How has your family been celebrating birthdays over the last year?
Are cake and presents at home enough? Do you feel comfortable getting
back into the kid party circuit?</p>
</div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-75180241819027658262021-04-01T07:10:00.001-05:002021-04-13T16:39:19.972-05:00BR Parents: April 2021<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3yWyMbC8ZdOYImAXZFdO-w3bov_4KgW5570QYhFIlya4dgFN18y-aPgfUwuurqq7-D3oW3mc8Htq0ovfd4LytRMZstededYk9DsFRxlvYmCuNpO6eA-_gnAL94gRVVUy-gG1GAQ_4uo/s400/April2021_cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3yWyMbC8ZdOYImAXZFdO-w3bov_4KgW5570QYhFIlya4dgFN18y-aPgfUwuurqq7-D3oW3mc8Htq0ovfd4LytRMZstededYk9DsFRxlvYmCuNpO6eA-_gnAL94gRVVUy-gG1GAQ_4uo/w400-h300/April2021_cover.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>As Education and Community sections editor, I wrote pages pages 14-21
(except for Parkview and East Iberville briefs) and page 26 of the April 2021 issue of <i> Baton Rouge Parents</i>
magazine. <a href="https://issuu.com/brparents/docs/brpm_0421_smallpdf/14" target="_blank">See the web layout on the magazine's website.
</a></p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-84363695089802482472021-04-01T07:05:00.001-05:002021-04-13T16:36:27.381-05:00BR Parents - Thrive: Life with Down Syndrome: Shouting His Worth<p><i>Originally published in the April 2021 issue of Baton Rouge Parents magazine and <a href="https://brparents.com/article/life-with-down-syndrome-shouting-his-worth.html" target="_blank">on its website</a>.</i></p><div><p>When he was born seven weeks before his due date, prematurity
seemed to be the biggest obstacle facing Gideon Schroeder. His parents,
Marianne and Greg, were completely surprised when Gideon was diagnosed
with Down Syndrome.</p>
<p>“We had the option to do (prenatal) testing, and we discussed it, and
we said, you know, ‘It is what it is,’” Greg says. Heart tests came out
perfect, and the facial characteristics associated with Down Syndrome
typically seen on ultrasound didn’t show up. </p>
<p>“It was unexpected,” says Marianne, now a stay-at-home mom with a
background in education. “It was tough at first. It changes your whole
perspective on what you thought was going to happen.” The Schroeders
didn’t have much experience with Down Syndrome, although Greg had a
cousin who lived with the condition. </p>
<p>Gideon spent his first three months in the hospital, unrelated to
Down Syndrome or his premature birth. “He had a fluke piece of skin
wrapped around his small intestine,” which was found via exploratory
surgery when he was a month old, Marianne says.</p>
<p>The extra time in the hospital helped Marianne and Greg adjust. “That
gave us both time to get educated and find out about Down Syndrome and
what all differences we would have as parents,” Marianne says. “I’m
going to tell you, we don’t have very many differences, because I’ve
raised another one.” Marianne has children from a previous marriage,
Gideon’s older brother, Nathan, and honorary older sister, Aimy.</p>
<p>Now two and a half, Gideon is thriving. “We were blessed,” Marianne
says. “He doesn’t have the major medical conditions that are most
characteristic of children with Down syndrome.”</p>
<p>Gideon means strength and warrior, a name that suits his outgoing
personality. In addition to the Biblical reference, his name also refers
to the character from TV show <em>Criminal Minds</em>. His double middle name, Travis Lee, honors family members.</p>
<p>A typical, active toddler, Gideon loves to climb. “He has perfected
his climbing skills,” Marianne says. “He’ll climb anything you put him
on.” He also loves swimming, music and <em>Sesame Street</em>.</p>
<p>“His therapists have commented on how he loves to learn,” Greg says.
“Even the way he’s picked up going up and down the slide. At first it’s
tough for him, but you can see the determination. He does that with
everything.” Gideon is tackling the alphabet and counting now.</p>
<p>Gideon attends a parents’ day out program at The Way Church in Denham
Springs, a school the family chose because of its willingness to learn
about Down Syndrome and love Gideon for who he is. He will start a PreK3
program in Livingston Parish in August. </p>
<p>“I love to brag on Gideon, but I don’t want to make it sound like it
wasn’t expected of him,” Marianne says. “I expect my son to do well in
school. He’s going to be something.”</p>
<p>Therapy was the biggest change brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic,
although teletherapy was manageable when it was necessary. Something the
family missed was Gymboree being closed. “That’s where he was getting
exercise and socialization,” Marianne says. “That makes me so sad. We’ve
kind of built our own playground in the backyard during COVID though.”</p>
<p>On World Down Syndrome Day, March 21, Marianne says the family
focuses on sharing their story with an emphasis on Gideon’s inherent
worth. “He’s worthy of anything and everything that anybody in this
world is worthy of,” she says. “He’s Mr. Personality and he loves life.
He’s an awesome guy."</p>
</div><p><i> </i></p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-89108962161934119792021-04-01T07:00:00.001-05:002021-04-13T16:35:14.483-05:00BR Parents - One Amazing Kid: Annie Engholm<p> <i>Originally published in the Baton Rouge Parents magazine's April 2021 issue and <a href="https://brparents.com/article/annie-engholm.html" target="_blank">on its website</a>.</i></p><p></p><div><p>While most kids took advantage of additional screen time when
quarantining in 2020, Annie Engholm used her extra time at home to
craft. She turned her hobby into a lucrative Etsy shop and has given
away all her profits.</p>
<p>“I wanted to get rid of COVID, and I was feeling like everyone else
wanted to do that as well,” says Annie, a 10-year-old fourth grader at
Episcopal School of Baton Rouge. “I thought of the store to raise the
money to do it.” </p>
<p>She launched Annie’s Ever After Etsy shop
(etsy.com/shop/AnniesEverAfterShop) in March 2020, and has since raised
more than $500, which she has donated to Baton Rouge General. “My goal
is to give a thousand bucks to them,” she says.</p>
<p>Annie sells jewelry, keychains and an original creation called click
clack clams, “two clams that are painted and decorated by pretty tape
and googly eyes and you can click them together.” </p>
<p>Her parents, Ginny and Scott Engholm, pay for all of the supplies and
shipping out of pocket, so everything customers pay is donated. </p>
<p>Every Sunday, Annie rides horses, and her favorite school subject is
science. Artistically, she loves to sing, and she looks forward to being
able to sing in school again.</p>
<p>“Annie has such a big heart,” Ginny says. “She sees something and
wants to make it better and is always thinking of ways she can do that
and make the world a better place.” </p>
</div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-64121493281802685552021-03-15T10:44:00.002-05:002021-03-15T10:44:33.542-05:00BR Parents Blog - We Are All Irreplaceable: Deciding to Get My COVID Vaccine<p><i>First published on the <a href="https://brparents.com/article/we-are-all-irreplaceable-deciding-to-get-my-covid-vaccine.html" target="_blank">Baton Rouge Parents magazine website</a>.</i></p><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmETlUP2BCkpVI1VH1h6sDL2LBmYt24EVVVfo0_i9nHFolCHYb-DqCaDouivVwV6E9cfyegU6px1dR1TTPRFaPQUDYY2xDS1Ex16MmDR9MeHnfbrLPS8LuzvsUN_9Unfq0fqqUqEzMFk/s2048/COVID_Vaccine_Mari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmETlUP2BCkpVI1VH1h6sDL2LBmYt24EVVVfo0_i9nHFolCHYb-DqCaDouivVwV6E9cfyegU6px1dR1TTPRFaPQUDYY2xDS1Ex16MmDR9MeHnfbrLPS8LuzvsUN_9Unfq0fqqUqEzMFk/s320/COVID_Vaccine_Mari.jpg" /></a></div>I am someone who loves science, at least as a bystander and
beneficiary. I even wrote about the benefits of animal research in my
high school English class for our persuasive essay assignment, convinced
science was critical to my survival of jaundice as an infant. Right
now, I am in awe of science and particularly amazed at the work that’s
gone into so quickly creating successful vaccines against this
pandemic-causing novel coronavirus.<p></p>
<p>When my turn to get a vaccine for COVID-19 came up, I did not
hesitate. I had already been looking to get vaccinated via waste lists
at local pharmacies–several moms I know in my circles had success that
way. A waste list is filled with people who are willing to come at a
moment’s notice to get a vaccine should there be one that’s otherwise
going to be wasted or expired. But when Governor Edwards expanded
eligibility to include people 16-54 with certain health conditions that
make them more susceptible to bad outcomes if they were to get COVID, I
was able to make an appointment. </p>
<p>I’ve written before <a href="https://brparents.com/article/how-do-i-respond-to-comments-from-kids-about-my-body.html">about my fat body</a> and how I know its <a href="https://brparents.com/article/suit-up-mama.html">value is not tied to its size</a>.
Just before and during the pandemic summer, I lost some weight
intentionally, kind of as a mid-life effort before my 40th birthday last
Thanksgiving. My body became no longer morbidly obese but just obese.
My current BMI of 31 is enough for me to qualify for vaccine priority.
Thanks, obesity! </p>
<p>On Friday the 13th in March 2020, our family’s life turned upside
down along with the world. That was my girls’ last day of school before
it shut down for the school year, and lunch that day was the last time
I’ve eaten inside a restaurant (shout out to Izzo’s Illegal Burrito and
my lunch date Carol). One year later, almost to the day, I got my first
dose of the vaccine. The actual experience was quick and easy. I’m adept
at online appointment making, so that part was simple. At the pharmacy,
I was in and out within a half hour, including the 15 minute wait time
to be sure there were no bad side effects. The shot itself felt like a
flu shot, just a little pinch. Nothing I couldn’t handle.</p>
<p>My husband, bless his healthy heart, isn’t in a priority group yet.
But the day after I made my appointment, one of the pharmacies where I’d
signed up for a waste list called and I was able to make an appointment
for him. We received our first vaccines at separate pharmacies within a
couple hours of each other. I’m Team Moderna (thanks, Dolly!) and he’s
Team Pfizer–just by chance, not design. Whatever vaccine was available
was the one we were going to accept.</p>
<p>Although I know it’s getting ahead of myself, I’m already starting to
ponder a summer that includes more than just our family unit of four.
Of course our daughters, almost five and nine, can’t be vaccinated yet,
although I know scientists are working on that too. But as more and more
adults are vaccinated, the virus should be less of a threat or
likelihood for kids? In any case, I think we’ll be able to see
grandparents who live in other states, maybe hit the beach (Dollywood
even?!). I am just excited to be able to peruse Target without feeling
so anxious!</p>
<p>While getting vaccinated is a great thing personally, for my own
mental health and reducing risks to my physical health, it also has
societal implications. Every person who is vaccinated will be one less
susceptible to dying from this dreadful disease. I mourn the nearly
10,000 Louisianans, the more than 500,000 Americans, and the 2.6+
million worldwide who have died. We are all irreplaceable, which is
something I remind myself when getting the annual flu shot. That was
certainly on my mind when I got this vaccine as well.</p>
<p>Have you been able to get vaccinated? I’d love to hear about your experience or thought process in the comments.</p>
</div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-77880366986235780532021-03-02T12:56:00.000-06:002021-03-02T12:56:00.241-06:00BR Parents: March 2021<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQRHp39_6ncPHeYTj25-hhy7T5dhyQQcNmJGLH9GQhGyFvpS4L9FaW_jcco4TMC9IeE7H_Jj3JfrEMrFB37A7SM2fC9Mrhr7vjEPfVOb-UfiWagdZAdI04sqdRwH53XdXD-u6dyLgDco/s400/March2021_cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQRHp39_6ncPHeYTj25-hhy7T5dhyQQcNmJGLH9GQhGyFvpS4L9FaW_jcco4TMC9IeE7H_Jj3JfrEMrFB37A7SM2fC9Mrhr7vjEPfVOb-UfiWagdZAdI04sqdRwH53XdXD-u6dyLgDco/w400-h300/March2021_cover.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />As Education and Community sections editor, I wrote pages pages 14-21
and page 26 of the March 2021 issue of Baton Rouge Parents
magazine. See <a href="https://brparents.com/march-2021-magazine.html" target="_blank">the web layout on the magazine's website. </a><p></p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898923106363980.post-66115908030185403652021-03-02T07:05:00.000-06:002021-03-02T12:52:48.810-06:00BR Parents: One Amazing Kid - Dev Iyer<p><i>First published in the <a href="https://issuu.com/brparents/docs/0321_brpm_mag_small_copy/19" target="_blank">March 2021 issue</a> of Baton Rouge Parents magazine and on <a href="https://brparents.com/article/dev-iyer.html" target="_blank">its website</a>.</i></p><p>Amazing kids run in the Iyer family. Recently named the East Baton
Rouge Parish Public School System’s elementary student of the year, Dev,
a fifth grader at Buchanan Elementary, is following in the footsteps of
his brother, Jay, now a high school senior who was also honored as a
fifth grader.<br />
<br />
Dev excels academically. “I’m particularly proud of getting principal’s
list in all my years in elementary school,” he says. He’s already
planning a bright future. “I want to become an architectural engineer
when I grow up,” he says. The career, which would follow in the
engineering footsteps of his dad and grandfather, combines Dev’s love of
math, science and art.</p>
<p>A multisport athlete, Dev participates in swimming, taekwondo,
basketball, baseball and soccer. He’s also an accomplished pianist and
artist. Dev’s artwork was chosen as the EBR school system’s annual
holiday card three years in a row.</p>
<p>Dev is involved in community service, volunteering at assisted living
centers, religious institutions, and Mind Relief, an organization the
Iyers established to support caregivers and family members of those
suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. </p>
<p>“Dev is a role model in his school,” says Raj Iyer, Dev’s dad. “He is
an incredibly hard-working kid who just never gives up and keeps going
at it until he gets it done.” Dev also has a great sense of humor. “He’s
a really witty guy whose spontaneous answers throw us off guard,” says
Usha Iyer, Dev’s mom.</p>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12334290998976437208noreply@blogger.com