It is important that I thank some of the most influential people I have ever met – my favorite teachers, coaches, and others that I have been blessed with in my life. I have had a handful of truly spectacular mentors in my life—many more than those I have listed—and I have the utmost respect for all of them. It is because of these people that I am who I am today.
Thank you to my greatest teacher and friend – my mother. Growing up I realize that we did not always see eye-to-eye. Thank you for not abandoning me at any point when I was a complete bitch between the ages of 14 and 17. I want to apologize for worrying you with my recklessness, for making you wait up until 2 or 3 or some other ungodly hour of the morning just so you knew that I was home safe. You are truly selfless, a hard worker, and always putting others before yourself. I love seeing you interact with Tariyah and Talia because it goes to show how good you treated me when I was that small. You are an amazing mother and I love you so much.
Thank you to the number one man in my life, my dad. I have and will always be a Daddy’s Girl because you are, without a doubt, the best father I could ever ask for. I am so happy that share the same spirit of optimism and stoke for life. Your ever-young soul and heart for adventure allow us to bond over gnarly activities like snowboarding and motorcycles! Your entrepreneurship, brilliance, and work ethic inspire me to always aim higher and to do my best. Your endless love and support for the family does not go unnoticed. Thank you for always explaining things to me and seeing me through the hardest times of my life. I love you Daddy!
Thank you to all the amazing site supervisors and coworkers I have met while working at the Y, including but not limited to: Breana, Laura P, RJ, Pam, Carlos, and Tim. Each one of you brought so much enthusiasm, passion, love for the kids and made the work day so much better:)
Thank you Kendra and Colleen, my two favorite coaches I ever had as a figure skater. Kendra, you were an older sister and excellent role model to me. I loved that we had so much in common because you always told me when you were my age, you were just as passionate and dedicated as I was. Colleen, you are so wise and taught me so many important lessons that I didn’t even recognize at the time. Both of you taught me to always stand up again when I fall down—literally or figuratively, on or off the ice.
Thank you Dr. Johnson, my education professor. You are an amazing human being and you revolutionized my opinions about learning and how a classroom should be constructed. Your alternative, student-first teaching style has greatly inspired me and I aspire to touch as many young people’s lives as you do one day.
Thank you to my favorite art teachers – Cindi, Ms. Tomasso, and Jim. Art is and will always be something I am passionate about and each of you reminded me that “Life is Art” and “Art is Life.” I will never stop making art!
Thank you Ann Davis, my aerobics and yoga instructor and professor for teaching elementary school physical education. You are my fitness inspiration and you motivate me to stay active and committed and to always find new ways to make healthy living fun for kids!
Thank you to all my best friends – young and old – that encourage me, motivate me, and push me farther, and believe in me.. you are my TRUE friends! and the entire community of OB. we are one big family and I am so blessed to live here. There’s no place I’d rather be.
Shout out to the homie Austin for teaching me how to surf!!!!!!!! I’ve been hooked ever since. and yes I would like to think that I have come a long way since flopping around on a foamie at Tourmo XD
To all the boys I ever loved – thank you, all these tragedies inspired some of my greatest art 🙂
And, of course, the biggest Thank you to all my kindergarteners, including my kinders who are now 3rd graders (time is a TRIP let me tell you..) I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! THIS WEBSITE IS FOR YOU!!!!!!
b l e s s i t ♡
