About Me

I was born in Jonesboro, AR on December 19, 1982.  I have lived in Conway, AR since 1985. I am proud to call Conway my home. I became involved with violence prevention in 1998. This is an issue that is very important to me and one that I keep close to my heart.  Being from Jonesboro, I never imagined in a million years that a school shooting would ever occur there.  A place that I called home had become part of a statistic.  I never wanted anyone to ever have to be afraid to go to school so I got involved and worked to make a difference. 

I was very fortunate to grow up in a 2 parent home where I was taught that violence was unacceptable and that I had to solve my problems in a more positive answer. From day one I have always known that violence wasn't the answer. Unfortunately, not all children are taught that within the home and that is where the schools have to step in.  It is vital that we implement violence prevention programs within our schools. 

In order for our children to learn the positive problem solving skills they need we have to teach them.  Students can learn a lot not only from these programs but also by the example that we as individuals set for them.   Children see violence daily, whether it be in movies or video games or even the news. When they see something repeatedly they  become numb to the action.  This is why we have to step in and teach them the correct way to handle their problems before things escalate to the point of violence.  As adults we remember our days of playing on the playground and going to high school football games.  Well these days our playgrounds have become battlegrounds and our football games have become places where metal detectors are necessary to enter.  We have to act now.  

I recently had the opportunity to travel  to Washington D.C. to speak with Senator Blanche Lincoln, Senator Mark Pryor and Congressman Vic Snyder.  It is very important that we encourage our leaders to support funding of violence prevention programs as well as their implementation.  I have had the opportunity to spread this message to thousands of  individuals and continue to do so.  I encourage you to take a stand against the violence and make a difference.