Week 12: My Last Week Of Graduate School

Wow, this is my last week of school!

I have been in school for the past 21 years of my life. From pre-school until now, what a long road it has been. I have these incredible nerves racing through me because I am about to embark on a new adventure; adulthood. Some people define adulthood as the day you turn 18 or maybe even 21, or maybe when you get your first "real" job. Some people define it as the moment where you become completely self-sufficient. I have done all of those things and yet there still has been a part of me that feels like I wasn't quite yet an "adult". I define being an adult for me as, finally completing my formal education!! Whoa!

I wanted to take some time to reflect on my education (in and out of the classroom) as a whole and think back to those significant moments along the way.

I apologize for making this appear like I am receiving a Grammy. I just thought what better time than now to really think back and thank those educators who have inspired me, pushed me, redirected me, and encouraged me. There were some significant moments that have changed my life along my road and I am so blessed to have had these individuals be a part of my grand story. If it was not for these folks below, I would not be where I am today.

Jesus Christ
Anthony Miller, my dad
Sherrill Miller, my mom
Chris, Joel, & Kelley, my siblings
my extended family & friends
Central Christian Church
Mr. Rimer, Principal of Greenfield Elementary
Ms. Bentz, 6th grade teacher at Greenfield Elementary
Lou & Shelia Carlucci, basketball coaches 1st - 6th grade
Mrs. Biggs, 7th/8th grade Student Council teacher
Coach Phil Culotta, high school lacrosse coach
Lori Burr, discipleship leader
Gilbert High School Lady Tigers Lacrosse (03-05)
Mr. Salce, Vice- Principal of Gilbert High School
Ms. Seely, 9-12 grade Student Council teacher
Ms. Sumner, 9-12 grade science teacher/ Student Council teacher
Ms. Bell, 11th grade marketing class
Jeff & Dierdre Morhet, business mentor, boss, family friend
Jessica Livingston, owner of Desert StiX Lacrosse
Camp Cayuga staff
Leadership Scholarship Program (class of 05)
Arizona Girls Lacrosse Association, board & coaches
Kelly Ramella, ASU professor of Therapeutic Recreation
Adam Lehe, ASU professor of Sports Management
Russ Olson, owner of Great Western Lacrosse
Monsoon Lacrosse team (08-09)
Corona Del Sol Lacrosse team (07-09)
Curtis Robb, mentor from Richmond veteran's hospital Hospital
Kristen Lessig, mentor from Richmond Sportable
Mark Schreiber, Tiffin University women's lacrosse coach
Wildfire Lacrosse, Monsoon team (2010-11)
Dr. Bonnie Tiell, professor at Tiffin University
Jon Graef, mentor at Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Commission

For those who have not been mentioned but who have made an impact, I thank you as well!

Thank you to Tiffin University for providing me this opportunity to complete my Masters of Business Administration. I will forever be a Tiffin Dragon! :)

week 10-11: LET'S PLAY! Sports & Fitness Fest

After a week and a half we decided what we are going to do with the open space. I proudly present to you;

LET’S PLAY: Sports & Fitness Fest

Who: Open to all of Pierce County, we invite the whole community: families and individuals, sports clubs and organizations, fitness centers, and vendors!

What: An event for the whole family to celebrate a day dedicated to sports, fitness, and play. Be prepared to play! Dress ready to try out many of the clinics and open participation sessions. Schedule will be posted online soon.

Where: Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center (Exhibition Hall)

When:  Day 1 Event: January 14^th 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

                Day 2 Event: January 15^th 10:00 AM -4:00 PM

                (Exposition set-up will be Friday afternoon, 3 – 6 PM)

Just to give everyone an idea of what my responsibilities are; (ALL IN 60 DAYS)

1) Contacting all clubs to be a part of this event in some way, shape, or form (booth, interactive clinic, competition, etc.)

2) Find vendors to be a part of the exposition component.

3) Find sponsors

4) Find volunteers (communicate, train, schedule) = volunteer management

5) Lots of administrative work

6) Help develop master schedule

7) Support marketing efforts

8) Manage & create entire fitness piece (CrossFit, Yoga, Zumba, kid's fitness, etc.)

There are many other parts of this event. We are going to have a basketball court, sports court, 40 yards of turf, a stage for performances, several classrooms, 3 wrestling mats, fencing strips, an exposition hall, free-standing interactive games/ bounce houses, and a ball room full of men's gymnastics implements. We are planning to partner with the local Children's Museum as it is also their Grand Opening. We also have plans to make this a food drive to support another MLK event put on by the City of Tacoma. We have the Boys& Girls Club, YMCA, Multicare, the Tacoma School District, over 50 club sport organizations, the Washington Interscholastic Athletics Association, and several semi-pro and professional sports teams coming to this.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A HUGE SPRINGBOARD for our organization and for me as a new professional in sports. My skills are skills are being pushed to the max and I am getting even more first-hand experience on many different pieces of what it takes to work in this industry.