Throughout high school, I always loved my art classes the most.  It is where I could express my artistic talent.  I decided that's what I wanted to major in college.  I went to Wayne State College for four years and studied Graphic Design with a minor in Advertising.  I worked hard, even through the summers to get done on time.  After graduating college I took some full-time design work, on a part-time basis, meaning going to temp agencies.  After getting experience, I did find a marketing position for an engineering firm.  I marketed to other companies looking for both electrical and mechanical engineers for upcoming projects.  I worked there for several years and because my husband and I were starting a family, it was best if I did not work any longer.  I helped our children with their schooling and volunteered for years on different school committees that showcased my design experience.  I worked on different school committees such as the yearbook for the elementary PTO, the middle school Booster Club, and the School Plays.

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Besides painting the school production sets, the two main committees I focused on were The Yearbook Committee and The Booster Club.  Below is a detailed account my recent experience on all the school committees.

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As a Yearbook Committee Member, I was a dedicated photographer for the first 5 years. The purpose of the different activities I attended, was to make sure everything was included in the yearbook with different kids and staff.  I also helped in the designing process or giving any input for the yearbook off and on when needed.  In the 2021-2022 school year, I took over as Lead Yearbook Committee Chair.   This means I created the yearbook from cover to cover while taking most of the yearbook pictures, with some help from a few parents and staff, when I was not able to attend.  They did a great job assisting me being photographers as well.

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I worked on the Booster Club Executive Committee for four years.  As Vice President for two years, I learned what the President does and how to accomplish everything I wanted to as President.  As President, I have worked hard to help plan events nonstop, being there for the staff, students, and parents, and working all hours of the day and many times into the morning hours to get done what was needed for the next day.  There are so many things that require to be behind the scenes that not many would see.  Not only did I work for the Booster Club, but I also added painting sets for plays to my resume.  I spent hours each day, while the students were practicing, making sure the sets were exactly what the play called for.  It was great that the directors gave me the access to do what I wanted so it would meet the standards of what was needed. 

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My jobs included directing and organizing each event that the Booster Club sponsored.  This included:

1. Booster Club Meetings - I set up each meeting agenda and spoke with the principal constantly regarding any updates and new items that needed to be added.  This also included the summer meeting that we had every year to get ready for the upcoming year.  Because of COVID, we had to change some meetings and use Zoom part of the time.  This worked out great and seemed more parents could join if we did Zoom so they could view it from their own location instead of having to come in to school.

2. Different Booster Club Committees - Organizing the different Booster Club Committees and making sure they were all filled was a struggle at times.  I made it a priority to find someone to able to take over and handle each committee.

3. Social Media - Updating all social media sites on a weekly or even daily basis was needed.  These sites included Facebook and Twitter with upcoming, new, and reminders so all students, parents, and staff could be updated.

4. Emailing - I constantly emailed the staff and parents to give them updates on all events that were going on throughout the year.  Some parents do not check the social media sites, so emailing was another necessity.

5. Sponsors - In the 2021-2022 school year, we were late on getting sponsors and we had no Chair to do so.  I spend a lot of my beginning summer hours, getting these sponsors and making more money than the previous years.  It was a proud accomplishment.  Unfortunately, one of our sponsors passed away last year, from a tumor.  I purchased a card from the Booster Club and made sure to drop it off personally and speak with his wife.  I wanted to show them how much they meant to the school.  The top sponsors were allowed to have their logo on the water bottle labels, which I designed.  I designed the banner which all sponsors were allowed to have their logos on the banner.  This banner was displayed at each and every sporting event.

6. Color Smash Dash - This is the biggest fundraiser each and every year.  I organized activities, designed apparel for the students and staff, organized the food, ordered colored powder, designed signups for people to help, as well as made sure I was there the day of to help the principal setup, ran different stations, helped clean up, calculated funds properly, and disbursed them where they needed to go.

7. Food Nights - We raised extra money fundraising by dining out at different restaurants.  I helped organize some of these events by contacting the restaurant, set up the date, and designed flyers to send out to the parents and staff.  I emailed everyone with the information as well as reminders to make sure it was not forgotten.

8. Principal Perks - This program gave a little incentive for the students to do nice things around the school, #BEKIND.  I helped organize two of the four years, what days (once every six weeks), what would be given to the students such as what type of food, and what else we would need for help.

9. Apparel - The last company we had was not reliable in getting the items to us in a timely manner.  I took it upon myself to find a local and reliable apparel company.  This way when it was done, I could go and pick it up, organize it, and disburse amongst the staff and students.  I did the research to find the right company, made contacts, and showed them what we were looking for.  I was in charge of designing apparel for staff, students, sports, and all events throughout the year.  The sales a few years ago were down and was in the red because they purchased items that they thought the parents and students would want.  The sales were down because it was not.  After working hard on designing new products, the sales were up and in the black. 

10. Elf Week - This fundraiser showed the staff they are appreciated by having parents donate food during the week of before Christmas break.  The money raised from this was given to the staff as a bonus gift for Christmas to show how much they mean to the parents.

11. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) - Three of the four year, myself along with the another member of the Executive Committee organized this event from the beginning as well.  We provided this for all of our middle school students, as well as the fifth graders from the surrounding schools.  It would be a great time for the fifth graders to get in and see what the middle school is all about.  We would get business in the area to join us as vendors for a two-hour time slot after school to show different jobs and what they consisted of.  We would place them in the proper spot according to what they needed.  This was also the time for the Science Fair so the parents could also come and enjoy both at the same time.  This was so successful, that one year when there was a snow day, we decided to hold it that afternoon and over 200 students still came.

12. Scholarship Committee - This committee consisted of the Booster Club Executive Committee.  We would get together after the Seniors at Elkhorn South High School would apply for a scholarship and each give their input on who they would like to receive them.  One male and one female recipient is awarded this every year.

13. 8th Grade Celebration Committee - Three of the four years, myself along with a few other parents organized this event from beginning to end.  I organized a committee that would set up the event at a location the 8th graders would love, The Mark.  We met with the staff of The Mark to let them know what we wanted, including food and what activities.  I designed some of the decorations, and did research to get more on what we were looking for.  I did my research to hire a DJ.  I created a signup for the 8th grade staff to volunteer to help watch and be security for this event.  The reason for this event was to have one last celebration for the 8th graders and to raise money for their Junior Post-Prom.  We put the money in a CD each year so they could earn a little interest and more money when the time comes.
14. 8th Grade Video - My oldest was an 8th grader in 2020-2021 school year.  This year I created the video for the 8th graders as part of the 8th grade celebration.  After creating a timeline of what was needed and when, I gathered good-luck quotes from 8th grade staff members, collected all 200 kids younger and current pictures, and received a good-luck quote from all parents.  I put this all in a video and was done by the due date.  It was then shared with all the 8th grade parents securely so it could not be shared with anyone else.
15. Budget - At the end of each year the Executive Committee would get together and discuss what needed to be changed in the budget for each line item.  It was them presented at the parent's meeting and voted on in May.
16. School Supplies - The middle school gave the option to provide already boxed school supplies, specific for each grade.  I advertised to the parents to sell.  The school made a little portion of money from each sale.
17. Parents - There were so many times, that parents were lost on what to do, and I made sure to help each one of them out in a timely manor no matter what was needed. 

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The Play Productions Committee was fun, not only to be a part of, but I also added painting sets for plays to my resume.  I spent hours each day, while the students were practicing, making sure the sets were exactly what the play called for.  It was great that the directors gave me the freedom to design was needed while incorporation my own visions.

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Now that I am no longer with the Booster Club Committee, I am ready to explore other design opportunities.  I am ready to show my artistic talents elsewhere.