Committee Chair: Deborah Mordente*
|
Susan Adler
Tanya Carey*
Pam Crawshaw
Sue Cherau
Diane Finch-Smith*
Lorna Friemoth*
Cassie Hale*
|
Sharon Kalani
Susan Lee/Great Lakes liaison
Lucinda King/UK liaison
Denise Ragozzino*
Stephanie Smith/Southeast liaison
Susan Williams*
|
| Junior Achiever Committee Members Identified with * | |
South Central JA Assistant Liaison: Amy Nolan
I am Deborah Mordente--mother to 5 human children who have given us 3 adorable grandchildren so far. We raise, show, and love the Munchkin MK/ML breed. I live in the heart of Texas . . . in the South Central region with my husband and son. My husband, Marc, and I are both on the TICA Munchkin MK/ML Breed Committee. Marc is a Head Ring Clerk and will be helping the Juniors in the SC Region learn how to clerk as they reach the Sr. levels of the program. I was honored when asked if I wanted to become a Junior Achievers committee member, and be instrumental in the development of the program, back in October of 2004. I was delighted to accept the position of TICA Juniors Chairperson earlier this year, 2006, when one of the founding members of the Junior Achievers program stepped down.
I am also the SC Regional Liaison, SC NEKO Junior Achievers Cat Club's liaison, adult treasurer, mentor, and showhall mom. I have a wonderful assistant liaison in Amy Nolan (amycctx@yahoo.com). She has been very instrumental in keeping me sane, things running smoothly when we hit a little snag, and taking care of JA Rings when I can't make a show.
Our son, Joseph, is a charter member of the TICA Junior Achievers Program and the SC NEKO Junior Achievers Cat Club. He is the current NEKO Junior Vice-President and a Jr. Junior Mentor.
Working with the Juniors in our showhalls and on the NEKO Juniors yahoogroup is a tremendous opportunity, a rewarding experience, a wonderful privilege, and a fun time. These Juniors bring a breath of youthful exuberance, willingness to learn, help, and teach into the showhalls and the cat fancy. They have a dedication to the cat fancy and their club that would put many adults to shame. Being benched with them in the showhalls is a wonderful experience.
While working with the Juniors I have learned many things. They have taught me to have patience and understanding . . . and how to have temperance when problems arise. You have to step-back and re-think your approach when working with a group of youngsters from all walks of life. First and foremost they are precious children, our future, and the future of TICA. I encourage everyone who comes in contact with a Junior Achiever to give them a pat on the back, a big smile, and let them know they are doing a wonderful job. Many have never shown a cat before and are nervous about their own abilities. A few kind words and a friendly face will go along way with these Juniors as they become the best they can be . . . not only in TICA . . . but, in their personal lives as well.
Hi, my name is Susan Williams. I am the TICA Liaison for the Great Plains Region. I became involved with breeding and showing cats about 12 years ago. A friend introduced me to a fascinating breed called the Scottish Fold. I acquired my first show cat and hit the road to what has become a life changing experience.
My daughter has grown up in the cat fancy. She showed a passion for it at a very young age. Since that time she has been showing along side of me. Her passion sparked a thought I had about kids in the cat fancy about three years ago. In the SW Region where we were originally from it was common place to see kids involved in showing. There was a group of adults who always marveled at the juniors accomplishments. We began a discussion group at each show about how to implement a program for them. In June of 2004 my family moved to Colorado. Although our region changed, mine and ShyAnn's passion for cats did not.
We found a club that shared our same interest for kid participation and moved forward. I found that the RD was interested and the president of High On Cats was interested and so we put on the first JA ring in TICA in March 2005. At that time I knew very little about TIFS and their involvement, but as soon as the word had spread and I learned of the endeavor they had set out to achieve we were on board. I helped write the senior levels as well as tested the market of the 4-H concept in TICA. This program is something that I am extremely passionate about. I will continue to build relationships with 4-H offices around the state as well as get friends children involved. They are our future. Let's educate them, mentor them, and give them all we have to offer.
Northeast JA Assistant Liaison: Amber Radzevich
Hello from the Northeast Region. I first got involved in TICA about three and a half years ago when my then 9-year old son, Christian, begged me to learn more about the cat fancy and enter a local show. We were immediately impressed by the comaraderie of exhibitors and judges, and have learned so much through showing our HHP adults and kittens and most recently our champion Himalayans. I am mom to Christian (now 12), Nathan (9), and Emilie (7) along with what we lovingly refer to as a "zooquarium" at our home. We have cats, dogs, bunnies, reptiles, and lots of fresh and saltwater fish to keep us very busy. Both Christian and Emilie are active JAs in our region. All of our JAs are learning first-hand what it means to be a responsible pet owner and how to care for and show their kitties. Christian's enormous love of cats has kept me involved with TICA and the JA program, and led me to first participate in the online discussions involving its development. His little sister Emilie shares his love of cats, and is learning by example how to groom and show her own kitties. They work alongside each other as ring stewards, help organize and run JA raffles and other fundraising events, and basically set good examples for other children in the show hall and the JA Rings. I am mostly known in the show hall as "Christian and Emilie's mom", but also now by my new JA name of "Den Mother." I have an assistant "Den Mother," Amber Radzevich, who is a longtime TICA member (and TICA baby herself) who is working on her requirements for both the TICA clerking and judging programs. Amber works at and attends graduate school at the University of New Hampshire, so she has lots of energy to motivate the JAs in our region. She helps organize JA clinics and seminars that enhance the educational component of the program. The Northeast JA Program is generating enormous support for the juniors from our RD and the local clubs and membership. We are hoping to soon form an official NE Junior Club in our region, with elected officials, and maybe be able to host a one-day show sometime next year with the help of a "parent" club in our region.
My name is Denise Ragozzino. I have a lifetime history of loving and working with animals and kids. I started with horses as a child and the animals get smaller as I get older. I have five children, Johnny 25, Camille 17 and triplet 12 year old boys Henry, Jesse and Forrest. What started out to be a hobby for me turned out to be a wonderful family project! Okay, so sometimes I am a steward while my family is showing cats . . . but, that is my life as a mother. And I love it. Having mentored and taught kids since a kid myself and being involved in everything from Boy Scouts to 4-H, becoming the JA liaison for the MP region was a natural transition. In fact, I was doing it, and then it grew a title! Not only do I get to enjoy my love for animals but it is an incredible learning experience for youth that will last a lifetime. That means the world to me.
I am Pam Crawshaw, mom to three kids aged 9 to 11, wife to Corey, and a fancier of Devon Rex since 2000. We live in Lethbridge, Alberta.
My love of cats—and showing—began with a fluffy Himalayan cross HHP, the late Quadrupal Grand Master Ponch of PrairieDawn. Now we have a house full of cats, but fewer hairballs!
Away from home life, I manage a college career centre.
I am proud to uphold high ethics in the cat fancy and in my profession as a career practicioner. Your questions about me, cats, or the TICA JA program are always welcomed. I pride myself on open communications with cat lovers . . . and the "cat curious".
. . . Pam
Greetings from Southern California and the Southwestern Region of TICA. Keeping children involved in value-based activities has always been my passion. I had the pleasure of growing up with my own little "Noah's Arc" in my backyard. In other words, two of everything: horses, dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, turkeys, etc. This brought to me a caring, sensitive, safe and responsible environment in which to grow. I always wanted the same for my two daughters, Natasha (16) and Tatyana (11). Our family consists of several Bengal cats, soon a Somali and a Persian, 13 Koi fish, and an Arabian horse.
We have always had animals but walked into our first cat show in 2001. We were instantly hooked. The time I have spent with my family as a result of owning the cats and showing them has been incredible and has created for us, "forever memories". So now it is time for us to mentor and create these times for others. Also and as important, I feel we must protect the cat fancy and prepare it for the future. The children in the show hall are the future of TICA. It is our responsibility to provide the foundation for them.
|
Hi, my name is Lucinda King and I am a mother to three children and an ex-primary school teacher. I bred Maine Coons under the Handaros prefix, the prefix being an amalgamation of my children's names: HANnah, DAniel, and ROSie = HANDAROS. TICA being new to the UK means I have only been a member for 2 years now. In that time I have been appointed Secretary of CoonTICA and JA Liaison for the UK. I have regularly shown with TICA, have regularly ring clerked, have been Entry Clerk, and attended the TICA annual 2005 in Syracuse so am gaining lots of hands on experience. I firmly believe that children are the future of the cat fancy. As soon as I learned of the JA Programme I just had to be involved. I have seen so many bored children at cat shows and this programme offers them a chance to be actively involved and engaged. The Programme has had a slow start here in the UK, the English ethos of children should be seen and not heard is still quite prominent in our society, so we are busy breaking down barriers and changing peoples thinking. Two of our children here, Laura-Rose King and Aaron Curtis, achieved awards at this years TICA annual (2006), so a very proud moment for them, their families, and all involved in the JA programme here. |
I have been breeding siamese and orientals since 1986 and before that, I was kid in the showhall while my mother showed siamese. I live in Effort, Pennsylvania and my cattery name is Glor-ee.
|
This page maintained by: Elektra Comments welcomed. 9/28/2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| © Copyright 2000-2006 TICA JUNIOR ACHIEVERS, All Rights Reserved |
|
|||||
Hosting services donated by Troika Systems Web Design
