Welcome

From the Editor

I’m really hoping my kids read this issue. At 10, 8 and 3 years old, they’re not avid readers of Jefferson City Magazine (yet), but this issue holds a few truths that I hope they keep learning to appreciate as they grow older. In Ones to Watch, our honorees give tribute to the support of their families and place importance on the encouragement of those around them. Although leaders stand out from the crowd, a support network is always behind the scenes to keep them going. Great leaders appreciate and recognize those around them, and our Ones to Watch honorees show that they have the wonderful ability to raise others up as much as others do the same for them.

I also hope my kids learn the significance that athletics can play, not just on the field, but in life in general. Legendary coach Pete Adkins encourages us to keep the game in perspective and remember that sports teach life lessons about discipline and dedication (Page 98). Coach Gamal Collier echoes the sentiment (Page 71): “How you approach sports is how you approach life.”

Perspective is everything — whether you are a star athlete or second string. The importance of winning and losing gracefully, appreciating teamwork and giving 100 percent never changes. I hope you still have coaches in your life cheering you on.

Happy summer!

Jennifer Bondurant

From the Associate Publisher

Isn’t this cover shot awesome? Thanks to Chris Hollaway for capturing how beautiful the Fourth of July celebration in Jefferson City is every summer. The Fourth of July always makes me appreciate the freedoms that we are lucky to experience every day in America. This issue of City Magazine has some wonderful stories that show the wonderful freedoms of diversity in Jefferson City.

We capture the freedom of giving through the unlimited hours that our Ones To Watch winners volunteer in our community. On Page 70, volunteer coaches share the joys of working with local kids. I know we have all experienced a special coach or teacher who was a driving force or mentor in our lives. How great is it that our country gives us the freedom to provide a free public education to all kids? Don Gauzy is a great teacher and has the freedom to teach his students in an outside classroom. Learn about Don on Page 38. Richard Daly, a Lincoln University student from Jamaica, is ready to hit it big in the music world (Page 84). All of these freedoms we enjoy today are possible because of brave veterans (such as the Major Brothers, Page 56) that fought for freedom. We are fortunate to live in a community where we are free to choose our passions and where people feel the need to help one another.

God bless America!

Tami Turner