Testimonials

Donna Carpenter, 2010 Commencement Speech, "We Have Been Transformed"

     On behalf of the Class of 2010, I want to thank you for being here this evening.  We all sincerely appreciate the contributions each and every one of you has made for the eight of us to be able to participate in the Kern Leaders Academy over the last 3 months.  It is an immeasurable commitment to prepare for eighteen classes, 4 hours per class, two days a week, for nine consecutive weeks. Because of your efforts, we have been transformed.
We applied to the Academy for different reasons and came together as a class from mixed generations with assorted backgrounds. We debated issues important to our community and the economy, and shared perspectives based on our own paradigms. 

     We built relationships with our peers, the staff, and citizenry as we explored our community.  We learned to keep an open mind, listen carefully, open our hearts and engage people, not half way, but fully.
     We debated issues facing our state and local government, along with our education and healthcare systems. We shared some very creative ideas and possible solutions.  We recognized that we don’t have all of the answers but learned what resources are available to help us find them.  We discussed that it is our moral duty to do the hard work, get the facts, question ourselves, and set aside our self interest and bias to make careful, sincere, ethically-driven decisions.

     When running run for elected office, we learned that campaigns and elections can be expensive and a tremendous amount of work.  We learned the various components of a campaign; importance of a good campaign statement, strong platform, and what to consider when choosing a logo. 

     We don’t want you to think that all of the classes were about heavy topics.  To break up the intensity we also had some that were more practical.  These included how to dress for success, communicate effectively, present a speech, and interview on TV.  Who knew that wearing brown shoes with navy pants was allowed?  Shortly after attending this series of classes the group’s appearance mysteriously started to change.  If you check the pictures from the beginning of class on the website, the women have changed their hair, and most of us have gone from light to dark. I don’t know if it was because of the critique after we viewed our TV interviews or that brunettes look smarter. I leave that to you all to decide.

     Every class has taught us something new and made us think.  Each of us moves forward with a broader perspective, a deeper understanding, and greater respect for those in positions of governance.  We have been inspired to implement what we have learned in all that we do as community leaders.

     We have much to be grateful for, and many people to thank:

• First we would like to thank Michael Turnipseed for being the visionary for the class    and for everything he shared and provided for us, including great dinners, drinks and snacks.
• Mary Jane Wilson and Jesse Frederick for letting us use their fully equipped, centrally located facility, with convenient parking for our classes. 
• We thank all of the instructors for believing in the mission of the Kern Leaders Academy, sharing their time, knowledge, and insight to their particular topic.
• We also thank the Kern County Taxpayers Education Fund for creating this unique    education and training program and look forward to its continued success. 
  
  

     Some of us may purse an elected office while others may take what we have learned and use it to be better leaders in our community, in our professions, and in our businesses.  We have been given a tool box of skills along with new vision to creatively address the challenges ahead. Because of the Kern Leaders Academy, we have been transformed.

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