MEN AND WOMEN WORKING TEAMS
-continued from page 6

A few things stand out in my memory:
When Lieutenant Terri Kindness originally tried to get into flight training, she did not meet the height requirement. She didn’t give up. She found someone who agreed, “If you can fit in it, you can fly it.” A door was opened and she stepped through it.

Firefighter Janet Williams said, “I didn’t fit the perception I had of what a firefighter is.” She thought of a firefighter as a burly man or, at best, a not very feminine woman. With the encouragement of family, Janet pursued the possibility and found her calling as a firefighter.

Petty Officer 1st Class Scott Welch said he lives here because of the school district. He has chosen Sequim for his daughter’s education. Kudos to our school district!

Officer Dave Campbell spoke of how he is a police officer because of the encouragement of one of his Sequim High School advisors who was in the audience. There was so much respect and gratitude in Officer Campbell’s voice. What a great example of how each of us can change the life of someone. It was a very moving experience.

One of the WIN students asked the police officers if they ever get scared. The reply was, “Sometimes you don’t know it’s scary until it’s over.” They are trained to respond to a situation. This is a good example of the value of education.


There were many insights shared by the speakers. Here’s just a dozen for you to consider:

  • When you say “I do,” you make a commitment to your country and to your community.
  • Get to know about what is involved with the job.
  • We save lives, we don’t take them.
  • Find what fits what you want to do.
  • It’s like working with your brothers and sisters. It’s a team effort.
  • Everyone has a specialty.
  • It just wasn’t exciting enough. I wanted variety and something I can be proud of. I wanted to be able to help somebody.
  • Education shows commitment.
  • Keep trying. You need to be persistent. Stay motivated.
  • You get to be a problem solver.
  • Do your best.
  • It’s all about trust.

 
           

After the speakers finished and people were lining up to get food at the buffet, some students –both girls and boys – were lining up to talk to the speakers.

  
 
I heard several students comment that they didn’t realize what was involved in the jobs. They didn’t realize how much education was required.

We thank the speakers for taking time from their busy lives to share with us. We may never know how many lives will change because of it.

The food for the luncheon was provided by The Oak Table, a long-time supporter of our WIN Program. Betty Oppenheimer of the Sequim Gazette was at the Men and Women Team Luncheon. She wrote a wonderful article about it which appeared in the newspaper the following Wednesday. The success of the WIN Program is due to support from the entire community. We are grateful the community is part of the WINing TEAM.

Kathy Purcell
Co-Coordinator Education/WIN Committee

 
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