November 7th - Afternoon

Thank you to the voters in Pendleton County District 3 for your support in the school board election.  I truly appreciate your trust in me that I will do the best for the students in our district.  I also want to thank those individuals who were instrumental in my success- my husband Bryan, my children (Jacob, Luke, and Max), my dear friends (Mallory and Troyleigh), and the community connectors who got my message out there when I was unable.

November 7th

Last night, I didn’t go down to the courthouse steps to find out the results.  I was waiting to find out the results of the race from my friend when suddenly my cell phone rang.  On the other end of the line was Troy Steele.  He called me personally to give me the results and to congratulate me.  This is a testament to what a kind man he is.  I thank you Troy for being a fierce competitor and a class act.

November 6th - Election Day Afternoon

After we voted today, Bryan and I took the boys to eat at Teak in Mt. Adams.  I wanted the boys to experience something new so I thought Thai food would spark their interest.  Of course, Max likes his Thai food hot like his Daddy.  We followed this with a trip to the Cincinnati Art Museum.  We arrived home right after the polls closed.

Photo of us in Mt. Adams overlooking Cincinnati.

November 6th- Election Day morning

Today, I woke up, and it felt like Christmas morning.  For three weeks leading up to Christmas, every woman knows the stress of getting ready for the big day- decorating, sending out Christmas cards, shopping, wrapping, and cooking for the family.  Instead of these things, I put up campaign signs (and moved them occasionally to appear like I had more), went door to door, and made phone calls.  The stress of campaigning is very similar to the preparation for Christmas minus the presents.  Then, there is that sense of peace that I have every Christmas morning knowing that I made it through another holiday, which is very similar to the feeling I had after I made my last campaign stop last night.  I am at peace right now because I know I have done the very best that I could do.  I know that God is ultimately in charge of my life, and I have to trust in him that it will happen if he wants it to happen.

November 5th- Final Hours

I worked all day at the hospital teaching nursing students.  Then, I rushed straight home.  I made my final stop of my campaign for school board just a few hours ago. I have truly enjoyed the journey. It has been so wonderful meeting the people of my district and having them share their life with me even it was just for a few minutes. I am asking for your vote tomorrow. I assure you I will always put the students first in every decision that I make.

November 4th - Final Days before Election

Today, I had the wonderful opportunity to share a very special moment with my dear friend Troyleigh, who was driving me around house to house.  The following are her words from her facebook account:

"While out helping Shawn Nordheim with her campaign this afternoon, I just got to see one of my most wonder Northern Elementary teachers, Hilda Wright. She told me such a heartwarming story of how she had been the person that made a robe for my sister June who passed in 1973. She said she was the designated teacher to purchase a robe and when she couldn't find one, she hand made it instead. I have never heard this before and it was so touching to hear it from her personally! Thank you Mrs. Wright for being so wonderful."

 

It is moments like this that make campaigning very enjoyable for me.  Troyleigh had never known that this kind lady had done such an thoughtful act.  I am so glad they had the opportunity to reconnect after all these years.

 

Picture of Hilda Wright and Troyleigh Miller Combs

 

 

 

 

"Dog" Days of Campaigning - October 28th

I now have a new appreciation for mail carriers.  If I do ever do this again, I plan to invest in some stocking that will protect me from being bitten from dogs.  I can honestly say one dog scared me to death today.  On the other end of the spectrum, I walked into one yard and came out laughing so hard I was almost crying. This black lab was the funniest dog I have ever run across.  I personally own two labs so I know how spastic they can be sometimes.  However, this dog was unusually spastic.  The dog had a vertical leap of three feet.  Plus, the dog attempted  to climb into my car twice.  I had visions of the owner looking out their window thinking I was driving away with their little darling.   I swear if I could have gotten this dog on video I could have easily won America's Funniest Video.  It was like the dog had been locked inside for a week and drank an energy drink right before it was released.  This was a very memorable moment.

Freaky Friday- October 26th

Thank you Mallory Wolfe for being one of my biggest supporters.  I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful friend.

October 26th- Our wedding anniversary

Thank you Bryan for 21 wonderful years.  Last year, we were in London, England eating at this hole in the wall Italian restaurant.  Today, you drove me around going door to door.  Wherever we are, I am blessed to have you in my life.

Campaigning on Lenoxburg Road- October 25th

 You don't realize how beautiful our county is until you ride around on bicycle.  When you in a car, you often go by so quickly that you can't really enjoy the true beauty of our county.  I snapped this picture while I was riding on Lenoxburg Road today. 

Campaigning on bikes-October 22nd

Luke and Max joined me on the campaign trail today.  The boys loved biking down Davis Road.  Actually, it was a blast coming down the hills.  Not so fun going up.  It was interesting I was talking to an elderly man today who recently had to put his wife in a nursing home.  I can tell he is very lonely.  To all those people who are reading, please say a little prayer that he finds peace in his decision.

Wool Festival Weekend

It was great seeing my dear friend Cyndi!!! 

Young Women Lead (Leadership, Education, and Development) Conference

October 16th- Today, I was one of the guest speakers at the Young Women Lead Conference.  I along with 20 other women did the break-out sessions for the conference.  More than 750 high school girls across Kentucky and Cincinnati attended the free event at Northern Kentucky University.  Some of the young women in my session came from as far as Montgomery County.  It was an inspiring event, and I was thrilled to participate in an event that encourages young women to utilize their strenghts to become leaders in their schools and in their community.  BTW, I discussed goal setting in my session, and I attempted to give them the tools to help their dreams become reality.  I finished my presentation with the following youtube video.  To me, life is not about winning, but it is about finishing the race.  Click on this link to enjoy the video!!!


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Finished Product October 6th

Thanks Jake Peoples for making such a beautiful sign.  Thank you Max for painting the frames and Bryan for putting them together.

Bryan putting frames together October 4th

Putting Max to Work painting frames October 1st

Why should you vote for me?

Ø  As a registered nurse and nurse educator, I have seen the impact quality education can have in the workplace and in changing people’s lives.

Ø  After serving 4 years on Site Based Decision Making Council at Northern Elementary and Sharp Middle School, I have firsthand knowledge of the issues in our district and see opportunities for improvement.

Ø  I am a doctoral student studying educational leadership at Northern Kentucky University.  I have taken school finance and legal classes to prepare me for the role of school board member.

Ø  Being a member of Main Street Baptist Church, I value the foundational triangle of church, home, and school as critical elements to a student’s life.

Ø  As the wife of an Air Force Reservist, I value the service of men and women who protect our freedoms.  Regardless of how you vote, I encourage you to exercise that freedom and vote on November 6^th.

Ø  I am the mother of three sons who attend school in the district.  I care about the success of ALL students because when students succeed, our community succeeds. 

Along with my husband (Bryan) and three sons (Jacob, Luke, and Max), I ask for your support in allowing me to serve as your school board representative.