Parker County Today February 2016 | Page 67

unconditional love and she was always there for me. My grandma had the opportunity to love me unconditionally without the day-today responsibility. She was amazing. She taught me to cook and to sew. I remember when I was making the first apple pie I ever made “by myself,” my grandma took a ladder and climbed up on the house and picked apples from the very top of the tree for me because she said the apples on the top were always the sweetest. When I found out that I was about to be a grandmother, a friend asked me what I wanted my grandbaby to call me. I said, “Grandma.” My friend told me I was too young to be, “Grandma.” I said, I couldn’t think of anything better than being, “Grandma, with the hope that someday I could live up to my Grandma’s standard.” Q: What would you most like to be remembered for? A: Love. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Weston Landan Decker College Student/Entrepreneur Q: What do you do? A: I co-own J ’n W’s Shaved Ice and College Dogs. I also work as a ranch hand, full-time college student and Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Q: What is your favorite book? A: The Bible. Q: What is your favorite movie? A: Black Hawk Down. Q: What is your favorite kind of music? A: Country music. Q: What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? A: The most daring thing I have done would be with my friend Josh Ervin and opening up the shaved ice stand. Taking that initiative two years ago at 19 years old was a scary experience and daring, to say the least. We just jumped right into it head first and we have learned from our mistakes. The business has done great for us and opened up a vast amount of opportunities that otherwise would’ve never existed. Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A: I wanted to be a business owner actually, having something to call your own always intrigued me even at a young age. Q: How did you get into your field? A: I chose to study Occupational Therapy because I love to network with people and also I love fitness. To work with others and to get them back to daily living is something that will bring constant joy and happiness. Secondly, I chose the shaved ice business as a way to help pay for college and also to gain experience in owning and running a business as one day I want to have my own therapy clinic. Q: Would you recommend your career for other people? Why? A: Most definitely. If someone is looking for a career where they actually make an impact on a life, then this would be a great choice for them. Some of the most fulfilling moments in life are from helping others in need. Q: If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go? A: Switzerland, I have always wanted to go there. From what I have seen in photos it looks to be amazing. Q: If someone asked you for your best piece of advice, what would you say? A: Never let fear of failure or fear of the unknown stop you from living your dreams. Failure is just a way to learn how to not do something. Also to work hard and to do your best at everything because hard work will pay off. Q: What would you most like to be remembered for? A: My impact on other people’s lives, and that it is possible to live your dreams by creating them. PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY Q: What do you do to relax? A: In the rare event that I have down time, I like to hang out with my friends, or if it’s summertime, you will always find me on the lake. Q: What person from history would you most like to have lunch with? A: The Wright Brothers. FEBRUARY 2016 Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of? A: I am most proud of our college project we are completing this year at the school for current and future visually impaired students. It entails large print and Braille maps of every building that describes the cla ssroom locations in the buildings. The maps also describe obstacles, such as benches lining the hallways and where the shelter rooms are located and the exits. This project has established amazing friendships and is one that truly does make an impact on a person’s life. 65