A Lewis Legend with an Old Soul.

The minute this child was born I knew she was going to bring a lot of solace, obedience, strength, peace, and motivation to our family. I felt it while I was carrying her in my belly, and saw it in her eyes the second she was born. 

When she was three she began making herself peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and helped herself to the fridge for a glass of water. She was the glue at that time that saved our marriage, the motivator to want to get to the temple to be sealed to my family, and till this day holds a firm position in the home as the peacemaker. For five straight years she had Sierra all to herself, and at times I literally felt as if I had twins. I can see why Sierra considers her 'her best friend.' She matured faster than lightening, and caught up to Sierra in everything that she did. She, and Sierra were always compassionate, and thoughtful in letting me have time to myself while they played "house", tea party, or "library". I never heard any bickering from them. Although I did spend a lot of quality time with them, there were some instances in which they solely entertained themselves without any shenanigans or caused me any stress (they saved that for their teenage years...haha!). She began reading large chapter books at the age of seven, and is a very good listener. She is benevolent, understands people, does not judge others, is trustworthy, and is always willing to help someone in need. She's smart, and is beautiful inside and out. She is an extremely rare individual, and one of the most mature 14 year olds I know...most mature than some of the 18+ year olds I know. 

She is what I call an "old soul."

This past week she was recently nominated not by a teacher, but by the principal of her school as his Lewis Legend. Apparently she was to be nominated by another teacher who shall remain nameless, but Principal Otten said "no, she's my Lewis legend." I was amazed and in awe when he picked her. I wasn't too surprised, but I know why he picked her, and I'm so glad that he did. He obviously saw all the qualities, and things that I see in her as a mother. He couldn't have described her anymore better than I would have, and everything he said about her is right on cue.

"Alex Jorgensen is an obvious choice for a Lewis Legend because she embodies what it means to b a Lewis Indian. She is kind and always ready to assist someone in need. Her participation in the St. Baldrick's Foundation event put everyone on notice of how caring and compassionate she is. Alex is also an outstanding academic student as her grades have been in the 90's all year. She was even honored by the local American Legion Post for her award-winning essay writing. 

It is my pleasure to nominate Alexandra Jorgensen as my 2014 Lewis Legend."

~Mr. Ted Otten, Principal of Lewis Middle School

I am so blessed to have this girl in my life, and just like her sister anyone who knows her is blessed to have her as a friend, and student. I look forward to many more accomplishments of what Lexie can do as she enters high school this fall, and this is just the beginning of what is to come.

**Some of her major accomplishments can be read here, here, here, and here.

my shining star.

^^^ with Mr. Otten, principal of her school ^^^

Shame on us for skipping family home evening last night, but I think that attending Lexie's recognition night for being Lewis 'shining star student' is a pretty good excuse. We can make it up during the week! There were quite a few "shining star students" who were recognized this evening for achievement in improving on their academics throughout the year, for kind acts of service, and overall being an excellent student. We definitely live in a society where all we see on the news throughout the tristate area are acts of violence. I personally don't need to watch the news every night because I know what kind of world we live in. It's so nice to know that there are great things happening in the midst of all that violence such as wonderful students being recognized for the good that they do in this world. And one of those courageous people in this world is our daughter Lexie. 

Members of the board congratulated her as she walked down the aisle shaking each of their hand individually. It was so nice to hear the words of her guidance counselor read by Principal Otten as to why she was chosen as Lewis Shining star student, and I couldn't agree more. Mr. Otten represented her on Mrs. Gardiner's behalf, and it was so nice to hear all the wonderful things she wrote about her.

 

Shining Star Student '14 from Rose Jorgensen on Vimeo.

We are so proud of Lexie in all the wonderful things she has done, does, and continues to do! I never have to worry with this one. Aside from the fact that I look like a really, really short person in this pic next to her, and Jon she is my shining star as well!(That's what you get for marrying a really tall guy!)

the national junior honor society.

"I pledge myself 
to uphold the higher purposes 
of the national junior honor society 
to which I have been selected... 

Striving in every way,

by word and deed

to make its ideals, the ideals of my life."

During the winter of 2013 Lexie was chosen to be a part of the National Junior Honor Society. Sadly she developed the flu that lasted five days which resulted in missing her induction that year. Although she was recognized that evening & given a certificate the day she returned to school I couldn't help but to feel sad that she missed her own induction. Luckily she had the opportunity to be present this year to assist the new inductees for the class of 2015. 

I decided to attend the ceremony last night to extend my support to this years new inductees, and to get a glimpse of what I missed last year. It's surreal to see my eighth grader growing up in becoming a sophisticated young woman, & hard to believe that she'll be in high school in less than seven months! Didn't I just have a kid that just graduated high school? It's bittersweet, & witnessing tonight's ceremony with all the chapter members of the class of 2014 was impressive. 

Hearing some of their speeches tonight were insightful & it's amazing to see how well this generation is becoming. These kids are too smart for their own good & it scares me sometimes! I always tell Lexie that you can succeed in all that you do & no matter how grand your dreams are you are the only one that can make them come true. 

I'm so pleased with her & obviously love to share my enthusiasm about my kids' accomplishments. It's great to see her being academically inclined as to keeping up that 4.0 GPA. 

Her intelligence reminds me of my own...up until the point I messed up in in high school ruining my GPA, but because of my faults I can bring forth the opposite example & teach her that academics are way more important than boys, & hanging out at the mall! 

Fun is great, but that can wait! 

Lexie is a doer, not a thinker & she definitely is a student before an athlete (at least for now.) She definitely shows great leadership quality, is confident, has a beautiful character in how she treats others, serves her fellow man with love & compassion, & exhibits an attitude of gratitude filled with mannerisms of humility, grace, & integrity. 

So glad I hung around for this event & that I was able to hear her play the keyboard while we sang the national anthem. 

Lexie is following in her sister's footsteps, and I'm sure that she'll be in the NHS once she gets into high school. That is something to be said about this mom who had it pretty rough in making "not so smart' choices that didn't meet NJHS material. Nonetheless I made out pretty well, and so far...so are my girls. 

Congratulations to my 'not so little' girl (who's now taller than me) keep up the excellent work! 

You're going to grow up to do something amazing...I just know it!