Local High School Grad Becomes Entrepreneur

Career Technical Education Classes Sparks Lifelong Passion

Monique Dawes-Jeffers, Pastry Chef

Monique is a lifelong High Desert resident that graduated from Silverado High School.

MONIQUE’S STORY

MONIQUE’S CTE CLASSES AND A PASSION INSTALLED IN HER BY HER FAMILY MOTIVATED her TO START HER OWN BUSINESS. OWNING HER OWN BUSINESS HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN EASY, BUT MONIQUE’S HARD WORK AND CREATIVITY HAS MADE HER JOURNEY SO REWARDING. MONIQUE’S STORY IS incredibly INSPIRING!

QUESTION: Monique, would you tell us about what you do and how you got to where you are today?

Monique: I am currently the co-owner of a small bakery called Sweets & Things and a catering business called Yummy Things. I can say cooking has always been a family passion that I attribute to my grandfather and mother. They have been teaching me how to bake and cook for as far back as I can remember. While in high school, I took Baking Occupations and Culinary Arts II. I learned so much from my CTE classes, not just about baking and cooking but also about the business side of things. When I became a senior, I competed in the first-ever local Chopped and Sweet Genius competitions, where my team and I took first place in both. I can honestly say that the Baking Occupations and Culinary classes opened my eyes and ultimately sparked my interest in all the possible opportunities that were out there for me. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to take those classes and for my teacher Mr. Sanchez. Mr. Sanchez will always be my mentor, and he continues to be my sounding board on so many things in my business.

High School Competition

After high school, I started working full-time for Disneyland where I got a lot of experience as a candy maker. I left Disneyland to put my passion to the test and focus on starting my own business with my sister. I am happy to say that it was one of the best decisions I could have ever made, as my sister and I have been running Sweets & Things successfully for five years. We also recently started our own catering business called Yummy Things. Our company has been blessed to be able to cater some fantastic events. The most recent catering job we did was for The Los Angeles Film School.

QUESTION: What do you love most about a career in Culinary?

Monique: There are so many aspects of my job that I love, but the ability to create and be artistic is what I would say I love the most. I have always been a people person, so having the ability to work with my customers, take their visions, and bring it to life is so rewarding. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me when one of my customers see their cake for the first time and their eyes light up. Or when I cater an event, and I get to see how happy people are with our food. In this industry, you know you have done an excellent job when your customers return because they are pleased with what you have done for them. Bringing joy to people through my creations is the ultimate gift.

QUESTION: How do you like owning your own business?

Monique: Honestly, I have worked in other people's kitchens, and to have the opportunity to run your kitchen, how you want to, is incredible. Having the freedom to be creative and make decisions is one of the best things about owning your own business. Owning your own business is not always easy; it takes a lot of work and effort and comes with some sleepless nights. We have to work hard to grow our customer base, build relationships with people in our community, and think outside the box creatively with our products and our business. There is never a dull moment when it comes to being a business owner. You also must be able to roll with things. We have all heard the saying, "the customer is always right," and it has never been more accurate than in this business. We rely heavily on happy customers and good reviews. We cannot take things personally as business owners because our job is to bring our customers visions to life. Another aspect of owning your own business is being able to continually reinvent your business. We have recently had to test ourselves while learning how to navigate through the COVID pandemic. We have had to be extremely creative and seek out new and different business opportunities in an effort to keep our business alive.

QUESTION: Do you have any on the job stories that you would like to share?

Monique: I will never forget when I made my first wedding cake for a customer. I have always loved everything about making cakes from start to finish, but for some reason, the stress and pressure of it being my first wedding cake overwhelmed me. I remember wanting to cry, nothing was going right that day, and all I could think of was a crying bride on her most special day. I had made many cakes and never felt this much pressure before. I wanted to make sure it was absolutely perfect for her. I remember sitting there with my hands on my face, feeling sorry for myself. After a long period of frustration, I pulled myself together and told myself this cake is not going to make itself. I spent three times longer on that cake than ever before. After all was said and done, the look on the bride's face was priceless. One of my favorite things now is to be a part of someone’s special day and help make all their cake dreams come to life.

QUESTION: What classes would you recommend for students interested in starting a bakery or catering business?

Monique: I would tell students to take as many Culinary Arts classes as they can. It would also be beneficial to look into some business and accounting classes if they could. When I was in high school, I learned so much from my four years in ASB Leadership. I learned how to put on large events, decorating tips, organizing and planning student activities, cash handling skills, time management, and overall leadership skills, which are all things that help me today in my own business. I think it would be beneficial for students to get involved in their school by joining a club or some type of student leadership because it allows you to learn so many different skills that transition into the real world.

Question: Do you have any advice for high school students wondering what they should do after graduation? 

Monique: I was one of those kids that could not go to college right after high school but I knew what made me happy, so I found a way to make a living doing it. I am a firm believer in the fact that everyone has a superpower. I would tell students to go out and find their superpower! Take as many different classes as you can, volunteer with various organizations, go out and network until you find what you are genuinely passionate about. Once you find your passion, find a way to make a living at it. If you do what you are most passionate about, it really never feels like work.

THANK YOU, MONIQUE! YOUR PASSION FOR YOUR CRAFT IS GENUINELY YOUR SUPERPOWER, WHICH IS SO INSPIRING. WE ARE SO PROUD OF ALL YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND WHAT YOU BRING TO OUR COMMUNITY.

by Jessica Swift

Mechatronics: 5 Things You Should Know

What is Mechatronics?

Mechatronics is a very hands-on emerging field that blends electrical, mechanical, control systems, and software/ computer programming. Mechatronics career fields include electrical, mechanical, hydraulics, pneumatic, motors, sensors, electronics, welding, telecommunications, and computers.

5 Things to Know About Mechatronics: 

5 Things You Should Know PDF Download

1. Very Hands-On Career Field: The field of mechatronics is a very hands-on career that allows you to think and work outside the box. If you are a person that likes to take things apart and figure out how they work, then a career in Mechatronics is for you!

2. A Multidisciplinary Career Field: A career in Mechatronics gives you a unique opportunity to combine a broad range of skills in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, control systems, and computer science. While working in a Mechatronics field you will find that no two days on the job will look the same, which will keep your workdays exciting.

3. Rapidly Growing Career Field: The US Department of Labor has identified Mechatronics as a rapidly growing career field that will grow tremendously in the next ten years. Research has shown that people with multidisciplinary expertise, such as Mechatronics, are more likely to secure employment and advance within their careers.

4. Great Paying Jobs: Today's companies highly value employees with Mechatronics skills and expertise. The salaries of Mechatronics employees reflect that fact. Entry-level Mechatronics employees can earn an average of $50,000 per year to well over $100,000.

5.   Meaningful Work: A career in Mechatronics means that you could be a part of creating an invention that improves the quality of life for the entire world. Also, there are tons of opportunities in critical industry sectors such as aviation, manufacturing, mining, and logistics, to name a few.  

Fun Fact, the Roomba is a Mechatronic invention. The inventor of the Roomba built the first prototype out of Legos.

Endless Opportunities:

Mechatronics is more than just a job; it is a career with endless opportunities to change the world. Mechatronics jobs are everywhere you look these days from robotics, forensics, pharmaceutical, military defense, aerospace, manufacturing, consumer products, shipping and receiving, packaging, welding, and automotive. If you are looking for a rewarding and innovative career, then a career in Mechatronics is for you!

Roadmap PDF Download

by Jessica Swift

Women Can Be Millwrights, Too! Meet U.S. Borax’s FIRST FEMALE FIRST CLASS MILLWRIGHT

THE FIRST AT U.S. BORAX

Working on rock crushers and conveyor belts at a mine might not be the job that every girl dreams of . . .. but to Jessica Messick it has been a dream come true.  With a ton of hard work, a positive outlook, and years of training and certifications, she’s managed to make her dream come true and become the very first female First Class Millwright at U.S. Borax with Rio Tinto. 

U.S. Borax (Rio Tinto) is located about 40 miles west of Barstow in Boron, California.  U.S. Borax operates California’s largest open pit mine -- one of the richest borate deposits on the planet.  While boron is present everywhere in the environment, substantial deposits of borates are relatively rare. Borates are used to produce numerous products from cleaners and detergents to batteries and capacitors to metals and gold.  U.S. Borax supplies nearly half the world’s demand for refined borates, minerals essential to life and modern living.  https://www.borax.com/borax-operations/boron-california

Jessica Messick, First Class Millwright

Jessica’s a Barstow native that attended both Barstow High School and Excelsior and graduated in 2008.

jessica’s STORY

A few years after high school graduation, Jessica started working for Rio Tinto at U.S. Borax, where she quickly decided she wanted to become the first female First Class Millwright.  The journey wasn’t a walk in the park but her hard work and passion to work up the ladder and make history was too enticing to give up.  Her story is completely compelling and one that will inspire you.

QUESTION: Jessica, would you describe what you do and how you got to your current position? 

Jessica: In my position I maintain and repair most of the equipment and machines at the mine. There are so many processes that are done at the mine, and that means lots of machines and equipment to repair and maintain.

Some of the tasks that I do at work are welding, small fabrications, and installing pumps and gearboxes for heavy machinery. I diagnose and repair all types of rotating and conveying equipment, including bucket elevators, screw conveyors, belting, and materials handling. I work on centrifuge machines, rock crushers, and other large machinery. Another part of my job is to know how to move large equipment and things at the mines. This requires that I know how to give and receive crane signals and be able to calculate loads and rigging correctly. I work at heights which require climbing in a harness. I use JLG’s, man baskets, and scissor lifts, along with working off scaffolding. There are so many different types of equipment and machinery out there that always need repairs or some part replaced so my job never gets complacent or boring. There’s always something new to work on or learn.

I started out as a janitor and then applied for a Millwright Helper the second it came out.  I was hesitant at first because there had never been a female to make it to First Class.  And out there it is a pretty male dominant place.  My dad is a First Class Millwright in the industry and with his help and guidance I applied and passed a math and aptitude test.  I studied super hard and aced both of them ... not thinking I would.  I went through a four year apprenticeship program called NCCER.  Rio Tinto (U.S. Borax) paid for me and the other guys to go to school at work.  Each week we spent two days in class and two days in the field training with a First Class millwright.  We worked four 10 hour shifts each week.  I will have to say that going through the program being the only female was challenging at times but I was doing what I loved and gained a bunch of respect for showing that I was dedicated and determined to keep up or even pass up some of the guys.  Having my dad as a role model and a mentor really helped. 

QUESTION: How many years have you worked for Rio Tinto? 

A total of 8 years. I was a janitor my first two and half years, a Helper Millwright for two years, spent two years as a Second Class Millwright, and I’ve been a First Class Millwright for a little over a year.

 QUESTION: What would you say is the best thing about working for your company? 

Rio Tinto gives you lots of different varieties of jobs and careers.  They are very focused on safety and quality.  Pay is good and it's close to home.  They offer lots of learning opportunities and they offer NCCER training and certifications for millwrights and electricians.  

 QUESTION: What types of certifications are required for your position? 

You start as a Helper Millwright then move up to Second Class Millwright, and then on to First Class Millwright.  A Helper does not really require much, just a standard math and aptitude test, but a background in maintenance or welding is always good to have.  A Second Class Millwright has to pass both tests (math and aptitude) and pass a 3/8 plate test (weld two plates together and have them bent).  A First Class Millwright has to pass both tests (math and aptitude) and then a 6g 6'' pipe test (weld two 6" pipes together and cut and bend them).  For a Second and First Class you must have a background in welding and some pipe fitting, along with knowledge of industrial work and working around the different types of machinery and equipment a mine site has.

QUESTION: You mentioned that you were trained at Rio Tinto, what certifications/training did you earn on the job? Did the company pay for these? 

The company paid for everything. I had a schedule of Monday thru Thursday from 6:00am to 4:30pm with two days in class and two days following and helping a First Class Millwright.  Going through the four year program gave me a ton of certifications, like operating a forklift and a scissor lift, a JLG lift, and a bobcat.  I also got trained on rigging loads for a crane and learning the different hand signals.  I can inspect scaffolding and fall protection.  I also have all my certificates for completing all the different books the NCCER requires you to have like aligning pumps and motors, welding, and blueprint reading.  There are so many it's hard to name them all.

QUESTION: Did you take any high school/college courses to prepare you for your career? 

I did not take any extra classes in school but I wish I had taken classes like welding and blueprint reading. Anything to do with maintenance would've helped a lot.  If I had I could have started my career a lot sooner and made a lot more money faster.

QUESTION: Did you have any hobbies or interests outside of school that prepared you for your career? 

My hobbies are spending time with my family (a fiancé and two kids). Ever since I was super little my family has always been into off-road racing. Being around and a part of that prepared me - I learned about hand tools, power tools, working on motors/engines, and some welding. These are all things that helped prepare me for what I do at work. I’m not one that’s afraid to ask questions on how something may work. I have always been open minded and willing to lend a hand. I’ve never been afraid to get greasy or get my hands dirty from working on or around the race cars. Also, I have always found it very intriguing how the mining industry works. I think it’s awesome how they can take a simple rock and turn it into a product that is in almost everything we use.

QUESTION: Taking all that you experienced with your career, what advice would you give high school students in order to prepare themselves for a career or just life after high school? 

Stay focused on your goals.  It helped that I had a role model to look up to and guide me in the right path (my dad).  If there is something that you don't think you could do or achieve YOU CAN, it just takes dedication, hard work, and you have to be passionate about it.  If I can do it anyone can!

QUESTION: What steps would someone take to find out about positions at U.S. Borax (Rio Tinto)? Any helpful advice on the process?

For someone looking to get hired on at Rio Tinto, the best place to go is indeed.com. Rio Tinto is always posting and pulling jobs off of that site so you almost have to check it daily. You can always start out at the bottom and work your way up like I did. It doesn’t take very long to move up out there. A Millwright really only requires you to pass a welding test and a simple math and aptitude test. There have been First Class Millwrights hired on that are very young. Experience is good to have. Millwrights are hard to find nowadays; even machinists are hard to find. Rio Tinto has a wide variety of jobs: welders, haul truck drivers, electricians, shipping department utility workers, laborers, plant operators, and a few others. You got to love what you do!

QUESTION: What are the coolest things about your job?

It’s fast paced and there’s always something new to learn and experience. I love what I do.  I love a good challenge, and sometimes the jobs can be very challenging.  I like the fact that I get to work with my dad.  I love the atmosphere.  I like making history and becoming the first female First Class Millwright! :)

QUESTION: If you could switch jobs with anyone else at your company, whose job would you want and why? 

I love where I am now.  I would not want to change my job.  This is the job I wanted and strived for.  I work my butt off and have proved that a woman can do the same thing a man can do. 

Thank you, Jessica! Your enthusiasm and excitement for what you do is truly inspiring.  We’re so proud of your accomplishments and are looking forward to learning about you mentoring and training up the next female First Class Millwright. 

by Carrie O’Neal

The Skills of Skeels: Living the Dream in Local Aviation

I’ve always found networking to be a bit of a challenge.  I’m the guy who struggles with small talk – with knowing what bridges in conversation might connect me with someone I find fascinating.  When you meet someone who has the gift of networking, who can work a room or slip him or herself into a conversation, it’s, quite frankly, a thing of beauty.  And while this is a dance within which I continue to trip over my feet, I am learning and getting better.  I owe my improvement to many things but one cornerstone of that is wonderful people with a passion for what they do - the kind of people who can’t help but ooze interesting stories.  I’m lucky in that these same people tend to want to pass on that passion which means connecting with students – my line of work!

A brilliant young woman who I’m now lucky to call friend, Lisa Skeels, joined me for lunch recently so I could pepper her with questions at a rapidity akin to my 2 ½ year old son and his newly acquired skill of speech.  After an hour of interrogation that barely allowed her to touch her meal (I told you I was still learning), Lisa had given me a peek into a local aviation company and her career within that both inspire and excite me.  Read through our conversation and be sure to ask yourself:  What kind of company/industry do you currently or want to work for and how are you going to get there? 

Lisa, thank you for joining me for lunch.  I am so excited about this because I know what you share with me will inspire students in the region.

No problem, anytime! Excited to share this journey and hopefully help another achieve their goals!  

So first off, what’s your title?

I’m the Director of Corporate Marketing & Process Control for the ComAv Companies, located at our worldwide headquarters in Victorville, CA.

And in a quick, overly generalized summary – what does ComAv do?

Whether its aviation maintenance, redeployment, storage, disassembly or evaluation, through our Asset Management and Technical Companies, we offer a broad range of premium solutions that are individually tailored for our premier clients in the commercial aviation industry.

I know ComAv has quite a vast operation here locally.  Where is your customer base?

Our customer base is global. Along with our international offices we extend our presence in places such as Asia, Europe, Latin America and Canada.  

What does your typical day look like at ComAv?

(Laughs) Well, I don't know that there is a typical day.  Aviation is ever changing and fast paced, which is something I love about being here.  But, here's an example of my day - In the morning, I work with a team of my colleagues on project planning to assess the items of the day. The key to a successful week is project management - with so many integral items of business operating at once, this is critical to ensure projects are on schedule and being completed successfully.  From there, we review our sales goals, items of acquisition, protocols and business development initiatives… That could be a discussion on our recent acquisition of a new aircraft, new engine or coordinating a large receiving effort.  

(At this point, Lisa takes a sip of her coffee from her ComAv cup, logo appropriately pointing forward to her guest.  We both laugh at her ever-living roll of leading marketing.)

We are always coordinating efforts with various airlines around the world, developing relationships and networking.  While we work with airplanes, we also care about people and our customers. It’s important to us to keep our relationships as we value our clients and their business.  When that is your focus, everything else comes together naturally, helping you be successful.   

The afternoons are dedicated to internal initiatives such as process control and any risk mitigation efforts. To be successful in business, it is important to monitor every role in our company for efficiency as well as compliance.  As a company with global work, we have both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and all of their worldwide counterparts to comply with. Having multiple authorities whose regulations must be complied with requires frequent quality control evaluation.  Also, I may do some risk mitigation work.  My career path has developed me into an aviation jack of all trades, which means my days are varied and provide lots of challenge.  And I love it.  

How did you end up in aviation?  Was it a dream since you were a little girl?

My passion in life seemed to sneak up on me. When I was younger, I was unaware of the full business scope behind the aviation industry. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to go into when I started college.  I’m a rock nerd.  I was studying geology in college and thought that’s what I wanted to do in life.  I ended up moving from Michigan to Florida on a whim and while in Florida, my best friend introduced me to an MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) company.  I took a position as an assistant to the Chief Financial Officer.  While in that position, I assisted him in business initiatives of the FAA Safety Management System (SMS) Program that sparked my interests even more.  I had to quickly learn about the industry – all aspects of it, really. It was an entry-level role at the time, but I found myself in different departments, gaining different experience in a way that gave me a broad understanding and sense of what the MRO world is all about.  I then also decided to attend Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Aviation Business Administration to gain the theory at one of the top aviation universities, and it has led me to many wonderful opportunities within the industry and with ComAv. In short – I fell in love.

An aircraft sits right outside ComAv’s wide body hangar used for long term maintenance programs

So what happened next?

Well, initially I didn’t have the military experience, mechanic licensing (Airframe and Powerplant or A&P) or corporate background that many others in the industry do have, so I knew that I needed some leverage.  Getting that leverage meant getting more education and I wanted to get into the Business and Financial aspects of the industry.  I attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, which has a fantastic aviation/aerospace focus.  I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Business Administration.  I’m currently still attending Embry Riddle to complete my Master’s degree.

Are those the typical paths in your industry?  Military, mechanic, or bachelor’s degree? 

I wouldn’t really call anything typical.  It’s all about finding the path that makes sense for you to start on and making the most out of it. Every path you can take within this industry can give you that experience and guide you to your goal.  I know executives that started by changing tires on airplanes, worked every role on the way up and now run multimillion-dollar companies. They also are among the most respected leaders in the industry. We all start from the bottom somewhere. It’s all about your work ethic and your drive that can move you forward.

We hear a lot in education that industry experiences new hires who want to start at the top, making incredibly money right out the shoot.

You earn your salary with experience and hard work. Aviation is a very reliable and fulfilling way to earn a living.  However, you have to look at the career path that you know you would succeed in and work your way up from there.  I knew that this industry was going to take me places and that I was going to make a good living one day but not without hard work and really identifying where I would make the most impact.

Let’s be frank about something – you’re a woman in an industry that is dominated by males.  What’s that like and what advice would you give a young woman reading this who is considering following your lead?

David Stringfellow, ComAv’s Director of Maintenance, manages the engine removal on a newly acquired aircraft.

Honestly, there aren’t many of us, but that’s changing.  There are some old-school mindsets that still exist with some people you come across, but that is no longer the majority.  You have to be strong and know you can work just as hard and compete just as equally. However, that outdated mindset certainly isn’t found within ComAv senior management. They fully empower women to succeed in the industry and allow us to choose the path that’s right for us. That said, personally, I have this love for challenges.  I tend to select the path that’s going to challenge me the most. Anyone who knows me well enough would agree completely. I knew I wanted to make an impact, that I wanted to achieve things I could be proud of, and that I wanted to be helpful. I get to do that here. That’s something unique in itself and very special to find.

For young women looking at this career field, I say go for it and keep a positive mindset.  We need more of us here and we can absolutely make a difference.  There are an increasing number of female mechanics and business associates in the industry, and they’re doing an incredible job.  My biggest advice is to work hard, be humble, and challenge those limits, strive to learn all that you can within your specific area of interest.

ComAv is a local company here in the High Desert.  How do you like working there? 

It is incredible.  Recently, ComAv was awarded our 14th Diamond Award by the FAA.  This award is for training, safety and technical knowledge.  The Diamond Award is the highest award you can get from the FAA.  Only 5 companies in the world have achieved this at this level. We strive to be a world-class corporation and these show that we are meeting that goal.  I am so proud of our accomplishments and continue to watch this company grow and achieve.

The ramp and maintenance lines stay busy at ComAv Technical Services.

Another great aspect is that the job and industry are incredibly stable.  The aviation industry is certainly here to stay and will continue to evolve.  And the icing on the cake is really the management.  Craig Garrick, our CEO, treats us like family.  Family comes first. We are encouraged to try different departments to find our passion and strengths.  A CEO that opens doors to let employees try things and to dabble in other roles is an incredible thing.  And the industry brings me something new to do every day which means every day is interesting and challenging.  Finally, we're getting ready to reveal a website that we hope will be a resource for folks to learn how to get into this amazing company and industry.

That does sound incredible.  And how do you like the High Desert?

I’ve lived and worked all over the country and I’m not originally from here. The high desert has a great family-oriented, small-town vibe that is absent many other places and California really has so much to offer.

What advice would you give to an individual trying to figure out where to work or who to work for?

Try to learn all aspects of an industry that interests you and be selective about the companies you apply for and their individual culture.  ComAv has a wonderful culture that some other organizations may not.  Also, ComAv pays for schooling for our employees.  That means they are investing in my future and I don’t have to rack up the debt that others may have to. Whether you are interested in maintenance, sales, marketing or finance they empower you to achieve more in your education.

How did you end up in Marketing for ComAv?  I know you know a lot about Aviation.  Did you have a lot of Marketing experience? 

I am in Marketing right now because my skillset lent itself well to that right now.  I am also familiar and experienced in the contemporary aspects of marketing for this industry that some may not be. I have vast experience in digital marketing concepts and business, and, paired with my aviation background, I can produce content that resonates well with the industry and our target audiences.  Marketing has a special place in my heart and I know my role will continue to evolve. In fact, I’m starting a new role at ComAv this month and hope to continue my challenge of reaching senior management here.  Continuous learning is a perpetual component of successful people. 

ComAv Technical Services Airframe and Powerplant Technicians lift a Nose Cowl from an engine.

Were you a 4.0 student in high school?

(Laughs) I was a solid B kid in high school.  Now, I’m a 4.0 student and was through college.  But it’s because I love what I’m doing, what I’m learning, and I’m invested in being successful.  I found my passion. I realized just how important education is to this industry.

What do you do for fun, Lisa?

I love to read about other cultures, travel, golf, spending time with my loved ones and my English Springer Spaniels.

And what are you reading right now?

I’m reading two books:  Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick and It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War by Lynsey Addario, a war photographer with an incredible story.   I appreciate books that help me widen my perspective of the world and the human condition.  They help take me outside of my own experience.

And finally - what's the dream?

I would like to be the CEO of an aviation company some day

Well, Lisa, I thank you for your time.  I know you'll be a great CEO some day and I also know your story is going to inspire students around the region.   

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Teachers - Lisa is available and interested in being a guest speaker in your classrooms.  If this is something you are interested in, please contact the MDCP office to coordinate.