#2BFayetteville

Sarah was born and raised in Fayetteville. She is a Fayetteville High School graduate and earned her Masters degree in Elemen- tary Education at the Uni- versity of Arkansas. Today she is a third grade teacher in Bentonville. "There is something really charming about Fayetteville," Sarah began. "It is home to the relics of your childhood, while also offering venues catering to all different tastes, such as biking, live music, and fine arts. It's the tree-filled park you used to play at when you were little, but it's also the warm coffee shop you studied in. It's the high school you graduated from, but also the innovative college town in which you met so many new people. As a kid, you never want to leave because it's always been home. As an adult, you hope to raise your family in such an inviting place." Sarah thinks part of what makes Fayetteville so attractive is the people and how open-minded they are. "Fayetteville is a place where everyone is accepted," she said. "It isn't a place where you feel like you have to 'Keep up with the Jones.' All are welcome and all are loved. Ideas are encouraged and new opportunities are presented every day." Sarah believes the Teen Leadership Experience enabled her to see the behind the scenes of many businesses and nonprofits around her hometown. It was enriching to learn about various small busi- nesses, how they got started and flourished in Fayette- ville. And like the adult leadership program, it was a great way to meet other like-minded teens around the community. "The Teen Leadership Experience allowed me to network with many other students from Fayetteville High that I wasn't already connected with," she said. "It brought together students from all different high school paths. I was able to build friendships with fellow students that I know I can always reach out to, especially when it comes to the topic of bettering Fayetteville." When asked if she ever thought of pulling up her roots and living somewhere else in the country, she said "I plan to stay in Northwest Arkansas. I could see my- self moving away for a few years, but definitely want to settle in Fayetteville." Jordan was born in Kansas City but her family moved to Fayetteville when she was two. She graduat- ed from Fayetteville High School and then went on to attend the University of Ar- kansas where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. After that, she earned a Master of Oc- cupational Therapy degree at Rockhurst University in Kansas City and moved back to Northwest Arkan- sas to start her career as an occupational therapist at No Limits Pediatric Thera- pies in Bentonville. "I think that Fayetteville is a great place to start a life and a career," Jordan said. "With the university being in town I think that there are so many opportunities to get involved. I also feel like the university has a lot of unique connections to businesses in this area that would allow people to start careers here. Fayetteville is such a welcoming and inclusive community and I believe that people can come here and feel like they belong." Jordan feels that, while Fayetteville has experienced great growth over the past few years, it has retained the things that make it so unique. "It still feels like a small town," she said. "There are so many amaz- ing restaurants, so many creative small businesses and opportunities. I think Fayetteville is special be- cause it still has that small town charm that can make it feel like home to anyone. A lot of university gradu- ates choose to stay because they love it so much." Jordan spoke fondly of her time in the Teen Lead- ership Experience. "I had a great time in the program," she said. "It allowed me to get to know other students at my school and other schools while also allowing me to learn more about the different aspects of the Fayetteville community. I learned something new during each session and was able to grow in my leadership skills." Jordan felt that the Teen Leadership Experience also helped her to expand her leadership skills. "It provided me with the opportunities to learn and connect with businesses in our community. I loved being able to hear from different businesses leaders within this town I love so much. It gave me a wider perspective on different opportunities available in Fayetteville." Sarah Shipley Teen Leadership 'X'perience Jordan Shy Teen Leadership 'X'perience 13 Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce

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