July, 2010
Photos courtesy of Dion Dolva * www.DionDolva.com (from Realities For Children fb page)
Jessy Pratt, founder of Who Cares? llc, middle row, second from left (only one with glasses!)
Check out what this fantastic day was about (and I had so much fun volunteering for!) at http://www.realitiesforchildren.com/
Life on the ranch...
June, 2010
I know researching things for Who Cares? LLC can get you down-it gets me down! So I need a break many times (thus large spans of time between blogs). So my son and I took a road trip back to the ranch where I spent some time growing up.
After 17 years, it was great getting back on a horse~but I was just a little nervous! My son did an awesome job for his first time on a large horse, and I was proud of him for experiencing many things that city kids aren't exposed to: riding a large animal; feeding a motherless calf by bucket while letting it suckle your fingers (or else it wouldn't drink); witness branding with it's roping, branding, castrating, vaccinating, and tagging; falling in love with puppies but not getting to bring one home; learning you are eating beef that once lived on your ranch; seeing a bald eagle 10 feet away; riding in the back on the pickup; exploring the Aspen and willows pretending whatever; discovering new kittens in the barn; and the list goes on.
I am grateful that we have the opportunity to do such things and take the pleasure to relax and enjoy life when so many cannot. I am blessed to have been born here, this time, and have my abilities, and I choose to use those circumstances use it for the betterment of others. I hope you have the most wonderful day!
~Jessy
Colorado State University's 2010 Distinguished Alumni Awards
April, 2010
Jessy Pratt, founder of Who Cares? LLC, was honored to receive the Albert C. Yates Student Leadership Award, named after CSU's 12th president.
"This award recognizes a graduating undergraduate student whose leadership, academic achievement, community service, and commitment to excellence have significantly contributed to the success of Colorado State University." (http://www.alumni.colostate.edu/Events/DistinguishedAlumniAwards/AwardDescriptions/tabid/198/Default.aspx).
All Distinguished Alumni Winners (F to B; L to R): David Goodman B.M. Music Education, 1979 COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS; Patrick Tracy B.S. Marketing, 1973 COLLEGE OF BUSINESS; Alvie Rothe B.S. Farm and Ranch Management, 1957, M.S. Animal Science, 1964 DISTINGUISHED EXTENSION AWARD; Courtney Noelle Maddox B.S. Apparel and Merchandising, 2001 DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE OF THE LAST DECADE AWARD; Jessica Pratt B.S. Social Work, 2009 ALBERT C. YATES STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD; Robert Brown, Ph.D. B.S. Animal Sciences, 1968 COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES; Bradford Sheafor, Ph. D. DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD (Social Work); John Bebble B.S. Industrial Construction Management, 1982 COLLEGE OF APPLIED HUMAN SCIENCES; Tiffany Corbett B.S. Apparel and Merchandising, 2000 DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE OF THE LAST DECADE; Gerry Pedersen DISTINGUISHED ATHLETIC AWARD; John Pape B.S. Environmental Health, 1982 COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES; Tom Thompson B.S. Forest Management, 1968 WARNER COLLEGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES; James Hansen, Ph. D. JAMES AND NADINE HENRY AWARD; Nathan Lorenz B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 2002, M.S. Mechanical Engineering, 2004 WILLIAM E. MORGAN ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD; Tim Bauer B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 2002, M.S. Mechanical Engineering, 2004 WILLIAM E. MORGAN ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD; Michael Swanson B.S. Chemistry, 1973 COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES; Thomas Williams, Ph. D Electrical Engineering, 1971 COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
On stage awaiting Albert C. Yates Award with Blanche Hughes, Ph. D, Vice President for
Student Affairs.
Accepting the award with honor.
Graduation 2009 December, 2009
I graduated from Colorado State University with a B.S. in Social Work & a certificate in Gerontology in December 2009.
Deborah Valentine, Ph. D. (Director of the School of Social Work) and Jessy Pratt. Graduation ceremony was held at the Fort Collins Senior Center.
Elizabeth Harless (Executive Director at Meals on Wheels of Loveland & Berthoud, Inc.) and Jessy Pratt. I completed my internship for both the social work and gerontology program by being at Meals on Wheels, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Meals on Wheels is an amazing program with supremely compassionate volunteers and staff. It was an honor to be their first "social worker" on a trial basis to complete home assessments and to also find resources for clients.
Lucy Meyring (owner of Meyring Livestock along with husband, Danny) and Jessy Pratt. The Meyrings were my first employer and have now known me for over half my life. I wouldn't have such a drive had it not been for these two people willing to open their arms and home, instill a strong work ethic, and nurture a friendship that will last a lifetime.
