shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com April 10, 2018 • Page 9 SD National Guard Recognizes Individuals Making Positive Impacts On Family Readiness By Capt. Chad Carlson SDNG Public Affairs Office SIOUX FALLS, S.D. ? The South Dakota National Guard’s Service Member and Family Support held their annual State Family and Youth Symposium and Awards Banquet in Sioux Falls, March 24-25. The event brought together current and former Soldiers, Airmen, family members and civilians, all who volunteer in various capacities supporting the SDNG, for a weekend of training and an evening of recognition. “I want to thank you all for being the heart of our program and for the tremendous support you have given to the South Dakota National Guard, to our service members and their families,” said Lt. Col. Brendan Murphy, SDNG’s Service Member and Family Support director, to the volunteers attending. “We would not be able to be a world-class organization without you.” Dana Litwin, a transformational coach, strategic advisor and public speaker with a background in team building and environmental conservation, kicked off Saturday morning’s training with strategies to better recruit, engage and retain volunteers. “Every interaction is an invitation to stay or an invitation to go,” Litwin told the room of service members and volunteers alike. “When volunteers know that you’re thinking about their comfort, their convenience and their connection ? they’re going to be committed. They’re also going to be the best advocates for your agency.” Litwin also spoke to a group of teenagedvolunteers, telling them how valuable they are. “The value of their volunteerism is priceless,” Litwin said. “They are just beginning their life of service to others. I hope this presentation inspires them and enforces that the good they are creating in society is so much more than dollars and cents.” Jennifer Powers, an international speaker, coach and best-selling author, spoke next on creating a shift in your life as you learn the secrets to having more control over your reality so you can experience more joy. “You have at all times the power to choose,” Powers said, summarizing her ‘Oh, shift!’ message. “When you exercise your power of choice, you can literally change your reality. The things that we emphasize choosing are your words, your role and your reaction to that which is happening.” Award-winning high school teacher Mark Tucker joined Powers to adapt her bestselling book ‘Oh, shift!’ into a teen version in 2011 and joined her in speaking to the youth in attendance. “They were wise, articulate and introspective, and they were really able to absorb the content,” Powers said of the teens in attendance. “They have a lot more power and control over their lives than they realize,” Tucker said. Chaplain (Maj.) David Stimes, a combat veteran who deployed with the SDARNG’s 153rd Engineer Battalion from November 2016 to September 2017 - spending most of his time in Iraq - opened Saturday’s afternoon session presenting an overview of ‘The 5 Love Languages’ to both adults and teens. Saturday evening’s awards banquet kicked off with Jason Schechterle, a retired Phoenix police officer who trains audiences on how to persevere through adversity. “Schechterle served four years in the Air Force, then at the age 26, achieved his goal to work on the streets of Phoenix as a rookie police officer,” Murphy said as he introduced the evening’s keynote speaker. “After 14 months into what was supposed to be a life-long career, his life took an unexpected, dramatic and, at the time, tragic turn.” On the night of March 26, 2001, a taxi traveling over 100 miles per hour crashed into Schechterle’s patrol car, bursting his car into flames, trapping him inside with temperatures reaching over 700 degrees. Schechterle’s training teaches and encourages attendees on how to manage life’s adversity. Focusing on how family and friends can help attendees to objectively slow down and reflect on situations or circumstances and then begin to move forward. “First and foremost, I hope everyone leaves with a renewed sense of why they do the things they do,” Schechterle said after sharing his story. “Perspective shapes everything we do, and I want them to see through my story that it doesn’t go to waste.” Several awards recognizing both service members and civilian volunteers included: Guard Family of the Year: Presented to any active or retired SDNG member and their fam- Need people to find your business? Get your display ad here! ily that shows outstanding and exceptional service through volunteering to the SMFS Family Readiness Program. - SDARNG: The Rodriguez Family (Capt. Paul Rodriguez and his wife, Leslie, and children, Zoey and Easton) of Rapid City - SDANG: The Curley Family (Col. Kevin Curley and his wife, Daneen) of Sioux Falls Volunteer of the Year: Presented to one Army and one Air Guard volunteer that has shown outstanding and exceptional service to the SMFS Family Readiness Program. - Becky Thompson and Courtney Armstrong Military Member of the Year: Presented to one Air Guard and one Army Guard military member that shows outstanding and exceptional service to the SMFS Family Readiness Program. Their knowledge and assistance has aided the progression of family readiness within their unit and/or state. - SDARNG: Staff Sgt. Kayla Morris, 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Rapid City - SDANG: Tech. Sgt. Brittnie Bunkers, 114th Force Support Squadron, Sioux Falls Family Program Community Purple Award: Presented to a community group or organization that best exemplifies the true meaning of “The Purple” concept of the Joint Family Program by working with both Air and Army Guard (Purple means Air and Army jointly). - Militiamen Veterans Motorcycle Club (VMC), Flatlander's Chapter – Brookings The Gold Award: Presented to a person (can be retired military member from any branch of service or non-military person) showing long?term, consistent, and dedicated support by volunteering with the SDNG Family Readiness Program and within their community. - Kristi “Cricket” Palmer, Sturgis Youth Volunteer Award: Presented to an Army or Air National Guard youth volunteer (14-18 years old) who exhibits exemplary commitment to and support of the National Guard Youth Program, their school and community. Serves as a role model for military youth. - Brianna Neugebauer, Rapid City Youth Development Volunteer Award: Presented to any youth program volunteer, regardless of military affiliation, who has made a significant impact in the development and Now Is The Time To Sign Up For A South Dakota HuntSAFE Class Pierre, S.D. – South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) is currently taking registration for HuntSAFE classes. Classes are held statewide throughout the year. Registration for most classes is available online at gfp.sd.gov/ www.missourivalleyshopper.com hunter-education. 665-5884 Walk-ins are accepted if space is available, M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y but pre-registration is recommended and required for most classes. "Course availability is limited as hunting seasons draw closer, so signing up now is your best bet of getting into a class," says South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks HuntSAFE PIERRE, S.D. – Twelve new recruits ofences and skills to the Highway Patrol,” says coordinator, Patrick Klotzbach. An independent study HuntSAFE class is ficially join South Dakota’s Highway Patrol Col. Price. “Each of them will help make the also available. at a graduation ceremony set for 10 a.m., Patrol stronger and better able to meet the “The independent study course allows Friday, April 13, in the State Capitol Rotunda needs of the public.” students to complete the coursework online, in Pierre. Gov. Dennis Daugaard is the guest at their own pace, and then attend a 4-6 hour Class 60 consists of nine men and three speaker for the ceremony. At the end of field day,” says, Klotzbach. “Not all cities offer women. Graduation is the culmination of graduation, the new troopers will receive this option, but those that do are listed on our a one-year period which started with the their patrol cars which will be parked recruits making the initial application to the behind the state Capitol. Many of the gradu- website.” Students interested in either the tradiHighway Patrol. After being selected, the ates are scheduled to be on duty as early as tional classroom or independent study format recruits completed eight months of training Saturday, April 14. which included basic law enforcement trainThe public is invited to attend the cering, attending the South Dakota Highway emony. Patrol Recruit Academy and finally, field South Dakota’s Highway Patrol is part training. of the South Dakota Department of Public “We always tell our recruits that it is not Safety. easy to become a Highway Patrol trooper, but we want them ready for any situation they might face,” says Col. Craig Price, superintendent of the South Dakota Highway Patrol. “Graduation is a major achievement for the recruits and their families. We are proud to share the moment with them.” The graduating recruits and their duty stations are: Brandon Allen, Hot Springs; Emily Brigham, Elk Point; Nic If you remember Glennys Herman, Belle Fourche; Jacob Meyers, Brookings; Tyrel Miand would like to send her nor, Rapid City; Taylor Mohr, a birthday greeting, Wagner; Sean Needham, Pierre; John Nelson, Custer; please send cards to: Kimberly Norman, Rapid City; Glennys Larsen James Paris, Lemmon; Joelle 1201 N. Everygreen Rd. Schuknecht, Redfield; and Jordan Staab, Aberdeen. #3007 “These recruits bring their Spokane Valley, WA 99216 own backgrounds, life experi- MV Shopper Highway Patrol Trooper MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y Graduation Friday, April 13 90 Grandma!!! th support of the SDNG Youth Program mission. - Corey Jennings, Rapid City Unit of the Year Award: Presented to an Air Guard and Army Guard unit that shows outstanding and exceptional dedication to the development and progression of Family Readiness within their unit. - The 152nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Pierre Following the awards presentations, attendees were treated to music provided by the SDNG 147th Army Band’s Drive On. Author, corporate trainer and life coach Bob Prentice kicked off Sunday morning’s training with lessons on turning negatives into positives, finding personal motivation, making better daily life choices and improving lives through laughter and love. “We shared the philosophy of a Spanish philosopher who lived centuries ago, Ortega, and his basic philosophy was in life you can do one thing or another, making right kinds of choices - right kinds of decisions,” Prentice said. “We encouraged them to seize opportunities, to get ready for the opportunities in life, to be tenacious in their commitments, approach life with a spark of enthusiasm, and being goal minded with a proper mental attitude.” Detective Derek Kuchenrither of the Sioux Falls Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force spoke on social media awareness to educate parents and children about the dangers associated with social media and online predators. Personal Financial Counselor Marli Erickson concluded the training with sessions for both the youth and adults on being financially aware. From budgets and retirement planning to understanding mortgages, Erickson helps Soldiers and Airmen understand their money and assists with ways of making it work for them. “This year’s Family and Youth Symposium was a huge success,” Murphy said. “A lot of effort went into providing top quality training and programming for both our adults and our youth that attended.“We are truly blessed for our amazing volunteer support we continually receive across the state,” Murphy added. “And this annual symposium affords us the opportunity to recognize our behind the scenes heroes that earn the praise and recognition they deserve.” must register online at gfp.sd.gov/hunter-education. Those wanting to take the independent study option must register for their field day and then complete the online course offered at hunter-ed.com/southdakota/. Students must take the course and print off their field day qualifier certificate and bring it to the field day. The traditional classroom course is free, and the independent study HuntSAFE course is $15. HuntSAFE class is designed for persons age 12 through 15. If a student's twelfth birthday falls on or between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, he/she may be issued a card and is eligible to obtain a license and hunt beginning Sept. 1 of that year. Adults are welcome and invited to attend with their student or take the course on their own, as many states require certification for adults as well. For more information on HuntSAFE in South Dakota, visit gfp.sd.gov/hunter-education or call 605.223.7700. Participating Businesses Are… GLENNYS LARSEN Turns 90 on April 20th! We Love You! J&H Cleaning Services FOUNDERS DAY WEEKEND Friday, April 20 • Founders Day Food Truck Friday - from 11 am - 2 pm - lawn outside Muenster University Center • Spring Football Game - from 7 - 10 pm - DakotaDome Saturday, April 21 • Legacy: A Red-Tie Celebration of Service and Leadership honoring President James W. Abbott - from 6 - 9 pm - Sanford Coyote Sports Center - Please register at www.usdalumni.com/events YANKTON WORKS Want your REAL-TIME MESSAGE on the most visited media website in the Yankton area? Join our ‘Friends2Follow’ program! Contact your Yankton Media Representative today! 605-665-7811