Giving Back
As you could probably gather if you've read any of the other Big Lake Life blog posts: Washburn has always held a special place inside of my heart (this is Max, by the way). I have been planning on moving back to this town since before I left. Kelsey and I could have gone anywhere after college, but no other place had the draw, the opportunity to make a difference, and ability to play a role in the community like Washburn. I was born and raised in Washburn, I went to Washburn public schools from kindergarten through high school, and was blessed to have several caring, insightful, and encouraging teachers paving the way for my educational foundation; most influential of them all being my mom. One of the most important moments in my high school career was when one of my teachers, who also happened to know my dad during high school, told me a story of when my dad left Washburn after school. He shared that my dad told him: "Some day I will come back to Washburn and do whatever I can to contribute to this community and make it a better place for families to raise their children." From that point on, I knew my path in life would be to come back here to continue to build our community. After graduation, I moved away to go to college and law school and to experience all I could experience. 11 years, 3 states, 2 degrees, a wife and 2 kids later, I'm back and fully invested.
Our children are Washburn's children. Our future is its future. The next generation of Castle Guards deserve the same opportunities to develop the educational experience and love for the community that was instilled in me. A good education can be the foundation for a happy successful life, and the key to a good education is effective and engaged educators. So now I'm a member of the school board - which feels awesome and crazy to think that life has come full circle - and it's my turn to serve; it's my turn to work to ensure that our local school district continues to provide the support and open communication with educators that helps them succeed in their jobs. When teachers are provided with the opportunities to succeed, their pupils - our children - will succeed.
I hope to be reelected and have the opportunity to continue serving on the Washburn School Board, I would use the opportunity to give back to this community that is our forever home.
Go Castle Guards!
If you are reading this and don't live in the Washburn School District, then I hope that you take an opportunity to find some way in your life that you feel like you can give back and contribute to your community, like I have found to do in ours.