Raise the Standard Overview

Sometimes one opportunity turns into a greater opportunity.  That is just what happened when I spoke at the Kimber Academy in Mesa a few weeks ago (click here to read more about that).  Director Nancy Genys introduced me to a fundraiser for Kimber Academy called the Raise the Standard event; an evening of uplifting speakers, including Glenn Beck, discussing how we can be stronger in our faith, families, education and country. 

I was so impressed with the upcoming event, I offered to help with marketing.  With the assistance of a friend, we made this youtube video. 

I worked through social media to get the word out.  The music on the video is “Miracle”, a song my brother Matt produced with his band Olin on his album Open Book.  The song “Miracle” struck such a cord with Nancy, she asked if Matt would perform at the Raise the Standard event.

Matt was thrilled to do it, but small problem, he lives in Hawaii and is usually doing something like this:

or this

or this.

And now that he's married his sweet bride, life is that much sweeter!

But Matt, in his passion to live life to the fullest and support Raising the Standard didn’t see an ocean as an obstacle, so a few days before the event, he showed up.  I rarely see Matt without his guitar, so here he comes walking into my house guitar in hand ready to sing his heart out.  He must have sang “Miracles” over a thousand times throughout his life, but for the next three days he rehearsed in front of family and friends, strangers, even in the dark with his eyes closed.  Comerica theater was where he was introduced to his amazing choir of the sweetest elementary-aged girls ever; the icing on the cake.

The Raise the Standard event on October 11^th was amazing.  

Here we are with Glenn Kimber, founder of Kimber Academy.

Each speaker was better than the next.  I learned so much about America's constitution, morals in education and how amazing our children are.  What impressed me the most was the accomplishments of young people in the founding of our country.  Many of the youth were leaders in the military, assisted with government tasks, worked the pony express and more.  They were innovative, hard working and dedicated.  The idea is to teach our children strong character traits and morals too.  So much of society has become stuck in adolescence and idle time, when life is full of opportunity to leave our mark for good. 

The next day, Saturday October 12 was a day of work shops at Clearview Cultural Center with Glenn Kimber and others from the night before.  I particularly liked Ted Hayes and his ideas on how to unite our country on racial issues,

Sam Sorbo; a true feminist and her journey to finding God

 and Nicolette Peck, the strictest parent in the world and advocate on teaching self-government in the home. 

It was inspiring to see people passionately share their ideas and beliefs and it left a profound effect on me.  Did anyone else get to go?  It was great to see a few fans from My Dear Trash.

So, today I'm getting ready to run some errands and who found me in the school parking lot waving me down with a huge smile and giant hug?  My sweet brother Matthew sharing more love.

Thanks for the flowers, bro.