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FEBRUARY 2019
URAL L EADER
M AG A Z I N E
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Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com
About Us
Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader
Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad. Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.—
Contents
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD
6 Know a youth volunteer? Awards deadline is Nov. 6 8 American Workers Seek Learning and Development Programs to Close Skills Gap 9 Life Skills 101: 4-H Empowers Happy Campers 10 Four Things You Should Do to Boost Your Fat IQ 11 A History of Cancer Breakthroughs 65 years in the Making
13 How to Make Online Learning Work for You 14 Five Ways to get Financially Fit this New Year 16 Making Healthcare More Accessible and Medications More Affordable: Technology to the Rescue 17 How will Trended Credit Data Help My Credit Scores? 19 How a Teen Got Her wish to Display her Paintings in LA
Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent. Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com Phone: 1-877-281-6505
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Tell us what you think about our publications, if you have a great idea for a story, or to just share. We may print your comments in Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your comments, you’re giving permission to call you for an interview. Please be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number so we can reach you. Write to us at info@RuralLeaderMag.com—
Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support! Sincerely,
Photo Courtesy of TieFotos
Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
What you do matters. GetRuralLeaderMag.com | February 2019 @RuralLeaderMag
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Know a youth volunteer? Awards deadline is Nov. 6
It’s easy to assume that young people are too buried in their phones to pay attention to the state of their communities. But statistics show that many, many young Americans are taking notice of the needs around them - and taking the initiative to do something. Take Brandon Warren, for example. When his friend and football teammate was killed, the Indianapolis teenager started a nonprofit to take a stand against youth violence, and planned a peace walk that drew hundreds of participants. Or Hailey Richman, a New York youngster whose experiences with her grandmother inspired her to create a support group for other kids whose loved ones have Alzheimer’s disease. When last measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than a quarter of U.S. teens from ages 16 to 19 had volunteered in some capacity. And in a study of 1,200 U.S. teenagers conducted by Prudential Financial’s Spirit of Community Initiative, 67 percent reported that they’d volunteered in the past; just over a quarter said they volunteered on a regular basis. That’s great news for the youth and their communities, since volunteering can benefit the givers as much as the receivers. The teen volunteers surveyed by Prudential rated themselves an average of 15 points higher than non-volunteers across a variety of traits including independence, confidence and optimism. They also reported that their service projects helped them actively develop leadership and social skills. To encourage and honor young volunteers in grades 5 through 12, Prudential is sponsoring its 23rd annual Spirit of Community Awards, a recognition already bestowed to some 125,000 middle and high school students across the country. Applications are due by Nov. 6 for the award, which showcases students who have given their time and talents to complete meaningful community service within the past 12 months. Co-sponsor is the National Association of Secondary School Principals.
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“After more than two decades of honoring young volunteers, we know students are a powerful force for good,” notes Prudential CEO John Strangfeld. “We shine a spotlight on their service in hopes others will be inspired to follow their example.” The Spirit of Community Awards is the largest youth recognition program in the U.S. based solely on community service. Here’s how it works: * Youth volunteers can participate by completing the online application by Tuesday, Nov. 6, then having the application certified by either their principal or the leader of a participating volunteer program (local chapters of the American Red Cross, YMCA, 4-H, Girl Scouts or Points of Light’s HandsOn Network). From those applications, certifiers have until Nov. 16 to select local honorees to be presented for state-level judging. * On Feb. 5, 2019, the top middle school and high school volunteers from each state and the District of Columbia will be named state honorees; those 102 winners will receive $1,000, engraved silver medallions and all-expense-paid, four-day trips to Washington, D.C. (with their parents or guardians) to take place May 4-7. * During special events in D.C., 10 of the 102 state honorees will be selected as America’s top youth volunteers. Each winner will receive $5,000, a gold medallion and a crystal trophy for their nominating school or organization, in addition to a $5,000 grant from The Prudential Foundation to a nonprofit charitable organization of their choice. “Distinguished finalists” will receive bronze medallions, and runners-up will receive certificates and President’s Volunteer Service Awards (if their volunteer hours qualify). Do you know young people with impressive records of volunteerism? Encourage them to get the recognition they deserve by applying for the Spirit of Community Awards by the deadline.—
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American Workers Seek Learning and Development Programs to Close Skills Gap
Unemployment is at its lowest point since 1969 and job openings are at a 17-year high, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With a tightened labor market the competition for candidates with the right skill set is soaring. Yet, many workers lack the skills necessary to pursue new opportunities, suggests a new survey from Prudential Financial, Inc. The fifth American Workers Survey, conducted in November on behalf of Prudential by Morning Consult, found that more than one in four American Workers say opportunities for career advancement are available to them - but they lack the skills and training for these positions. The skills gap is even more concerning for millennials - 51 percent say they’re worried a lack of skills or education will negatively impact their career in the next five years. The biggest barriers to building those skills? According to American workers, access to educational opportunities and financial concerns rank at the top. For millennials, most likely to be new parents, more than half say learning and developing new skills will require access to affordable childcare. American workers expect the private sector to take the lead in their personal development - nearly four in five say the private sector has responsibility for retraining, and nearly six in 10 expect their employer to help pay for training and new skills. “Jobs are core to the foundation of American workers’ financial well-being,” said Rob Falzon, vice chairman of Prudential. “Right now, there’s a skills gap emerging. There’s competition for talent, but at 8 RuralLeaderMag.com | February 2019
the same time, the jobs are changing as a result of disruption. Ensuring workers have the right skill sets to fill these jobs will be paramount for their future financial wellness.” Companies including Prudential have been addressing this challenge through investments in the National Fund for Workforce Solutions and partnerships with local universities that help shape educational experiences and mentor students for careers in financial services and information technology. Companies are also looking for ways to help tap into new talent pools. For example, Prudential’s program with Workplace Opportunity Services is designed to train and prepare veterans and military spouses for the civilian workforce. “The future of work is already here,” Falzon said. “Employers need to create opportunities to strengthen our workforce by increasing worker flexibility and mobility.” Please visit news.prudential.com to learn more about this survey. The American Workers Survey is the fifth in a series conducted on behalf of Prudential by Morning Consult from Nov. 13 to 16, 2018, among a national sample of 1,919 self-identified part-time and full-time employed adults (age 18 and over). The interviews were conducted online, and the data was weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on age, race/ethnicity and gender. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of ±2 percentage points. Percentages may not total 100 percent due to rounding.—
Life Skills 101: 4-H Empowers Happy Campers
Each year, millions of youth migrate out of the classroom and into the great outdoors to experience one of America’s most classic traditions - camp. And while campers are busy experiencing the excitement of their unique adventures, they may not realize the hugely positive impact that’s happening behind the scenes that will leave a lasting impression for years to come. But being a camper comes with a price tag, leaving many interested youth unable to participate and reap its benefits. Believing that no adolescent should be denied the ability to attend camp and experience the impact, Tractor Supply Company teamed up with 4-H to bolster its nationwide camps that develop leadership and life skills. Since 2016, Tractor Supply, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the nation, has raised more than $3.6 million in scholarships for youth to attend 4-H camps, conferences and other leadership experiences across the country through its biannual Paper Clover fundraiser. In 2017, the retailer saw a record-breaking year raising more than $1.8 million, impacting more than 37,000 students, thanks to generous online and in-
store donations from customers. “The Paper Clover fundraiser is an engaging, unique way for Tractor Supply to play a direct role in the lives of thousands of students across the country,” said Christi Korzekwa, senior vice president of marketing at Tractor Supply. “There’s truly no better way to foster a child’s development, confidence and leadership skills than by giving them the opportunity to attend camp.” Research shows youth who participate in 4-H are four times more likely to contribute to their communities and twice as likely to be civically active, among many other benefits. One could argue this is due to 4-H camps, programs and other experiences providing participants opportunities to learn by doing, grow from failure, express their ideas and use their influence to drive positive outcomes. Garrett Franck, 12, of Union County in Pennsylvania, is an active member of the Good Time 4-H Club in Mifflinburg and has been attending 4-H camp for five years. According to Franck, camp sessions allow youth like him to explore new interests and build unexpected friendships. Continued on page 11 GetRuralLeaderMag.com | February 2019 9
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Life Skills 101 Continued from page 9 “Through attending camp, I’ve made friends from different counties that I may not have met otherwise,” said Franck. “We look forward to seeing each other year after year and catching up. I’ve also learned so much about teamwork, and I really feel like I’ve grown as a 4-H member - and a person in general by attending camp.” Garrett’s mother, Barbara, is a 4-H club leader herself and has put all three of her children in the program. “4-H is a program that has something for everyone, and it allows for new experiences that other youth organizations may not be able to provide,” said Franck. “4-H camps are an important piece of the puzzle for strengthening the foundation of understanding the importance of traits like responsibility, time management skills and teamwork.” In addition, 4-H camps have been found to promote the following life skills in youth: 1. Self-confidence. Successful participation in camp activities helps kids validate their own capabilities. Environments like 4-H camp require campers to think and act on their own. As a result, children who experience themselves as competent will be better problem-solvers in new situations. 2. Freedom to explore new interests. Camp programs provide structured, extracurricular activities where youth are able to enjoy hands-on engagement. This is a priority at 4-H camps, where campers are provided ample opportunities to deep-dive into new activities and programs that they otherwise wouldn’t
have the chance to. This type of structure allows campers to decide whether or not an activity or program speaks to their passions enough to continue pursuing. 3. Communication skills. Spending focused time with other youths of similar ages and interests can help campers build relationships and create a sense of connectedness. Meeting and getting to know new peers are the social skills most often reinforced in 4-H camp settings. No matter the level of social skills a camper possesses, communication is a vital developmental ability that should continue to be practiced. 4. Independence. Taking a step away from a typical, day-to-day environment can empower campers, teaching them how to handle themselves and make good decisions outside of their comfort zones. Camp plays a role in this by creating a setting where youth are required to develop a sense of autonomy - by taking more responsibility for themselves and their belongings and making their own decisions. In turn, stable identities and empowerment are the result. Even if your days of being a camper are over, your days of making the experience possible for adolescents in your community are not. Tractor Supply’s Paper Clover Fundraiser returns Oct. 3-14 at the retailer’s 1,725 stores and online. To learn more about the fundraiser and the retailer’s support of 4-H clubs nationwide, visit Tractorsupply.com/4H. To find a 4-H club in your area, visit 4-h.org/ find/.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | February 2019 11
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How to Make Online Learning Work for You Many students juggle work and family, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, which found that 62 percent of students work full- or parttime, and 29 percent have at least one dependent. Today’s college students are just as likely to be moms and dads themselves, full-time and part-time employees or members of the U.S. armed forces. Needing flexibility and variety in course offerings, more students are turning to online learning to design a path that fits their lifestyle. As a result, online learning is seeing significant growth. A recent study found more than 6 million students take online courses across the U.S., and that number continues to rise. For example, at ASU Online, programs have grown significantly, with a 60 percent increase in freshman enrollment since fall 2016 to more than 35,000 students in over 175 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The following are some things you might not know about online learning: 1. Each learner is unique. “We work diligently to lay the right groundwork for each student at a personal and individual level because we know there is no silver bullet to student success,” said Leah Lommel, chief operating officer of ASU Online. “Each learner is unique - what works for one may not work for another. This reality requires a tireless commitment to innovation on the part of higher education.” 2. Higher education leads to career success. Access to higher education remains the best pathway to career success, directly impacting employment opportunities and wages. The Center on Education and the Workforce found that bachelor’s degree holders earn 31 percent more than workers with an associate’s degree and 74 percent more than those with a
high school diploma. Further, emerging technologies and the changing nature of industries have created a demand for new types of skilled workers. 3. Flexibility is key. Higher ed programs need to be flexible and adaptable, allowing students to study during the hours - or minutes - that fit their schedules. With online programs, students can gain practical knowledge throughout their program that can be immediately applied on the job, making them even more valuable in their current roles. As online programs continue to expand, students are more closely able to map coursework to their desired field of work. 4. Support structure is essential. Universities are discovering that online learning can be just as effective as face-to-face learning. However, support and guidance are essential to success. From strong faculty support to success coaches and career advisors, universities providing high-touch student services throughout a student’s journey see the best outcomes. For students stepping back into school after many years, support and encouragement are key. Coaches are a lifeline as students juggle life with studying and coursework. Coaches offer support, help students overcome obstacles and connect them to other campus resources. Online learning allows universities to meet students where they are, academically and personally. Today’s student is approaching education from a new standpoint, with different requirements and needs. The power of innovation in online learning means that each student can complete a degree in a way that was simply not possible before. Interested in learning more? Check out https:// asuonline.asu.edu/online-degree-programs.—
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Five Ways to get Financially Fit this New Year In 2019, many Americans are planning for a "better me" in the year ahead. Gym memberships and diets are at the top of many lists, but what about financial health? Losing debt can be just as important as losing pounds, and financial fitness just as important as physical fitness. According to a new survey from Marcus by Goldman Sachs(R), 74 percent of Americans think their financial well-being has an impact on their overall health and 64 percent feel they are not in the best financial shape they could be. On top of that, half of those surveyed (50 percent) think it's easier to get into better physical shape than financial shape and 59 percent consider tracking expenses and budgeting to be more stressful than trying a new workout. Although New Year's resolutions to improve financial fitness may seem daunting, they are achievable, and their effects can be significant. While it is important to pump iron and feel great physically, it is equally beneficial to pump up your savings and take steps to secure your financial future. Here are five simple ways to help achieve better financial fitness in 2019: 1. Trim down debt: Eliminating debt is a worthy 14 RuralLeaderMag.com | February 2019
goal shared by many - 78 percent of those surveyed would rather get rid of their debt than lose weight. Consider instead a debt consolidation personal loan such as those provided by Marcus by Goldman Sachs(R), which offers fixed-rate, no-fee personal loans that could help save on interest when compared to high-interest variable rate credit cards. 2. Set a realistic budget: Every financial fitness plan should start by establishing a budget that is both effective and achievable. The first step in creating one is to identify your essentials like mortgage or rent, car payments, tuition loans - and determine how much each of these expenses cost you per month. Next, average your spending in key categories that occur on an ongoing basis, such as food, gas, clothing, commuting costs and your gym membership. Combine those two figures to determine what your actual expenses and monthly budget are, and any money left over can be considered discretionary. Part of each month's discretionary budget should be dedicated in advance to savings. Financial fitness introduces a level of discipline to help people make a proactive commitment to saving each month. 3. Shred unwanted subscriptions: With a budget
in place, it's all about tracking expenses and ensuring that your spending aligns with what your budget requires. There are many free tools that can help do the work, such as the personal financial management app Clarity Money, which monitors recurring expenses and helps with eliminating unwanted subscriptions. Keeping a tighter rein on your spending makes it easier to trim costs and stick to your budget year-round. 4. Pump up your savings: Look for savings accounts with higher rates that can help your money make more money. A high-yield Online Savings Account from Marcus by Goldman Sachs can earn 4X the national average, with a 2.25 percent APY (annual percentage yield)[1]. There is no minimum deposit required, making it an easy way to begin growing your savings with the cash you already have. 5. Find a workout partner: Working out with a partner at the gym helps to establish shared goals, while encouraging accountability. The same is true for financial fitness. Your path to better financial health could accelerate if you can partner with a
family member, friend or significant other who's also interested in their financial well-being. Plan monthly check-ins, arrange mini-competitions for saving more and organize "no spend days" together. You'll keep each other responsible and build positive mutual support along the way. For more information on approachable solutions to your financial management and to get a financial workout plan, head to Marcus.com/financialfitness." [1] Annual Percentage Yield (APY) may change at any time, before or after account is opened. APY as of [January 7, 2019]. $1 minimum to earn stated APY. A maximum of six withdrawals or transfers per monthly statement period are allowed. Maximum balance limits apply. Informa has obtained the data from various financial institutions and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. National Average rate effective as of September 3, 2018. Learn more at Marcus.com.—
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Making Healthcare More Accessible and Medications More Affordable: Technology to the Rescue If you find it challenging to understand the convoluted and sometimes conflicting information regarding your healthcare, you’re not alone. Because the U.S. healthcare system is so complex, sometimes it can be a struggle for patients and even doctors to have clear, transparent information about the costs of medications and how they are covered by insurance. Part of the problem is that doctors have had a near impossible job of knowing the costs of the thousands of drugs they prescribe given the many different insurance plans that cover their patients, with each charging different amounts for these medications. That’s been frustrating both for patients trying to take personal and financial ownership of their health, and for the busy doctors trying to help them. 16 RuralLeaderMag.com | February 2019
Fortunately, technology has come to the rescue. More than 85 percent of physicians now use electronic health record (EHR) technology, which makes it possible to utilize new tools and digital platforms that provide your doctor drug and plan coverage information right in the exam room, as well as options for lower-cost alternative medications. This helps guarantee that you’re getting the right medication at the best price, as well as know in advance if the medication requires prior authorization (PA). This avoids the frustration of going to fill your prescription at the pharmacy only to learn that it’s either not covered or needs a PA. This is just one of the many ways technology is changing healthcare. The availability and popularity of health and wellness tech tools has exploded in re-
cent years, with wearable devices and apps providing personalized health information such as heart rate, blood pressure and sleep patterns, as well as medication, hydration and exercise reminders. “High-tech tools gives doctors transparency into a patient prescription plan, allowing them to better monitor their patients’ conditions and make better treatment decisions, while also enabling patients to be much more knowledgeable about their health and more engaged in what they need to do to stay healthy,” said Dr. Lynne Nowak, chief physician experience officer at Express Scripts. “Technology can help make healthcare more of a partnership between the patient and the physician.” Even when physicians are not using the latest
technologies, their patients often have access to personalized treatment information right from their smartphones. One such app available through Express Scripts provides individual information so you can learn about the medications you’re being prescribed and any existing safety issues, whether you need a prior authorization, what the out-of-pocket costs of the treatment will be, which pharmacies offer the best price and whether there are alternatives or generics available that would cost less. With this information in hand, you can discuss the options with your doctor and leave the office with a prescription you know you’ll be able to fill at a price you can afford.—
How will Trended Credit Data Help My Credit Scores? Ever since the dawn of credit reporting, the information has looked relatively the same. Your lenders reported information to one, two or all three of the national credit reporting companies (CRCs) based on your most recent loan payment activities and balances. This method of reporting is informally referred to as a “snapshot in time” because your credit reports represented information based on any one single day in your credit lifecycle.
And because credit scoring systems consider the information on your credit reports at the exact time your credit report is accessed or “pulled,” your scores are also based on a snapshot in time and not necessarily the actual balances on your credit accounts that particular day. The credit reporting and scoring systems have operated under that structure for the better part of the last three decades. Newer credit report data GetRuralLeaderMag.com | February 2019 17
Over the past several years the CRCs have been collecting and maintaining information that represents how you manage your balances and payments over time. This information is formally referred to as “trended credit data” or “time series” data. The information includes the chronology of your balances, your minimum payment requirement and often your actual payment amount. For example, reports and the scoring models based on them can now decipher between whether you have an account with a balance averaging $4,000 over the past six months versus someone who charged the same amount just in the previous month but normally has a lower balance. This represents a considerable upgrade in credit report information. Rather than a credit report representing a snapshot in time, it now represents your most current balances and payments for the past 24 months. How trended credit data can help my scores: Credit card users who pay their bill in full each month don’t pay interest. So, there’s a tremendous savings to never revolving a balance. But it can also improve your credit score if the scoring model leverages trended credit data. That’s because those who pay off their balances every month can be identified and rewarded for practicing this positive credit behavior. A model that includes trended credit data also takes into account whether a consumer makes payments above the minimum amount required. So if you make payments on your car loan for more than is minimally required, your score could improve. The most current version of the VantageScore credit score, VantageScore 4.0, does utilize trended credit data on your credit reports, and it is available to lenders now. The impact of holiday spending: According to a recent poll from VantageScore Solutions, 37 percent of 2018 holiday shoppers plan to use credit cards for their purchases. That’s great because you have very consumer-friendly fraud protections when you use your credit cards ... plus you might earn points and rewards! The drawback, of course, is the temptation to overspend and end up with large credit card balances going into the new year, making a payment for the full amount due challenging.
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Large credit card balances can result in lower credit scores. The reason is because of the credit scoring metric known as “revolving utilization,” which represents the percentage of your credit limits that have been used. According to the same VantageScore poll, the issue of utilization is not an unknown. Indeed, 84 percent of the poll respondents acknowledged understanding that spending a high percentage of their credit limit can hurt their credit scores. Here’s where a credit score that considers trended credit data can help you relative to a credit score that does not. If you historically pay your credit card in full, or pay more than the minimum consistently, your holiday overspending won’t result in as profound of a score impact. The reason: The credit scoring model recognizes that your holiday shopping is atypical relative to the other months because it can see and consider how you normally use your credit cards. If the scoring model only considered the snapshot in time after your holiday spending spree, it would factor that balance in and potentially cause your score to drop. The ethical credit score hack: A logical question at this point would be, “what can I do to protect my scores during the holiday season if a lender isn’t using trended credit data?” The answer is to use your credit card but make several payments during the month. You don’t have to wait until the due date to make a payment on your credit cards. You also don’t have to wait until the statement shows up to make a payment. Assuming you haven’t charged anything more, making multiple payments during the month will ensure that when your statement is generated it will have a lower balance. Since the balance from your statement is what’s reported to the credit reporting companies and factored into your credit score, you’ll go a long way to protect or even improve your score. And the best benefit? You either won’t pay any interest on your credit card or the interest you pay will be as minimal as possible.—
How a Teen Got Her wish to Display her Paintings in LA When Jaylah Martinez has a paintbrush in hand, it’s like a conduit between the emotions inside Jaylah and the canvas. Like many teens, the budding artist has voiced big dreams for her paintings and art. In Jaylah’s case, she envisions them displayed in a modern art gallery in Los Angeles. Unlike most teens, however, Jaylah faces struggles with her health. The high school honors student from San Antonio, Texas, is battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Last August, she was diagnosed with stage IV Renal Medullary Carcinoma. Prior to her diagnosis, Jaylah was an active teen who had taken on leadership roles, from serving as Teen Ambassador for the city of San Antonio, to designing and creating public art projects for Blue Star Contemporary’s MOSAIC Student Artist Program. Sadly, because of Jaylah’s health issues, she’s been forced to step aside from her extracurricular activities, which made the special surprise that Jaylah received all the more inspiring and uplifting. In December, Jaylah learned her dream as an artist, to show her work in LA, was about to come true. Make-A-Wish(R) Central and South Texas hosted a special wish unveiling for Jaylah at North Park
Subaru Dominion, which had set aside part of their showroom for a community celebration of Jaylah and an exhibit of her paintings during the annual Subaru Share the Love(R) Event. Jaylah greeted and hugged friends, family and local art lovers, and took time to describe the themes and inspiration running through her colorful paintings: Jaylah’s spiritual connection to God, celebrating life on Earth, and the comfort of familial love. Wearing bold silver earrings and a brilliant smile on Jaylah’s face, she looked every bit the part of an up and coming artist. “It feels good to know there are so many people in my life who are just supporting me no matter what,” said Jaylah. “And I’m very grateful for these people. Because they’ve helped me. A lot.” Jaylah’s upcoming LA exhibit will be held in January 2019. Despite Jaylah’s diagnosis, the high school junior is looking ahead to other life ambitions. Jaylah wants to attend college, major in biochemistry and become a research scientist who works to find a cure for cancer. Jaylah’s art show was also an opportunity to help other kids in her community who are facing a critical GetRuralLeaderMag.com | February 2019 19
illness, so they could have their wishes come true, too. The exhibit was held in conjunction with the Pack the Outback Toy Drive, where families were encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to the North Park Subaru Dominion to fill a new Subaru Outback in support of Make-A-Wish Central and South Texas. Kathrin Brewer, Make-A-Wish chapter president, said they were thrilled to have the support and partnership of the dealership. The heart of the matter is, she says, the wishes granted are more than “a nice 20 RuralLeaderMag.com | February 2019
experience.” “Wishes have the power to transform lives by providing hope and the ability to experience life beyond illness,” Brewer said. To learn more about how you can help grant more wishes to children who are faced with a critical illness, visit www.wish.org.—
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