The world needs more people like my cousin Stephanie. This young lady is someone to look up to and admire--and she's just 11 years old. She is friendly, outgoing, polite, hard-working, and smart---she's a great kid. I could tell you that she is a quilter, she's a 4-H member and a top-acheiving gardener, and she and her friend just started a business called Pets and Plants. 

And, yesterday she and her parents (Anne and Jim) attended the Recognition Ceremony at the Belin Blank Center in Iowa City, Iowa.  Students from several states were honored as Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS) top scorers. These students scored in the top 1% of the students in grades 5-7.  Way to go Stephanie!! We are all so proud of you.