Pay it Forward by Judging at Sartori School

Hello everyone: I hope you had a nice weekend!

I was honored to be a volunteer judge at Sartori School last Friday. I can still remember every graduating senior who partipated. A little background is needed. Sartori is the alternative to regular school. This is my second year judging the student's senior project which, upon completion, allows them to graduate.

To say that some of these kids have been to hell and back is an understatement. In fact, one of the kids was forcefully moved from San Diego to the Seattle area by his parents. Otherwise, he might have been dead as two of his close friends were shot to death. Other students have been severely bullied, had children, and gang-banged. Honestly, it makes my normal life look pretty good and I'm grateful that I had all the comforts of home and still do!

The amazing thing to me is how these children have risen through adversity. One even has a goal to become an optometrist. Their lives are better now because someone believed in them. We all should have that opportunity. For me, being a volunteer judge at Sartori School is the most significant event of the year. I will do it every year. I definitely feel like it is at the heart of paying it forward! If you are in the Seattle area and would like to be a judge next year, please let me know. It would be awesome if you could join me. Have a great day!