Want to talk about work-ethic? Try bobsledding. Try competing in a sport that requires superior strength with a blend of mental agility and self-trust that empowers a team to hit top speeds above 90 mph without wiping out on the ice.
, an Alabama native now living in Northeast Florida, did just that – in world class form – when she won a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Looking back on the positive direction she gained from a lifetime of good coaching, Flowers wrote Mayor Alvin Brown a letter in December saying she was interested in helping him help the community.
This week, she joined the ranks of Mayor’s Mentors, a volunteer effort Mayor Brown has coordinated with partnering agencies to inspire Jacksonville’s youth to achieve good grades and make wise decisions that will grow them into tomorrow’s leaders.
“I just want to encourage kids to stay in school, work hard and go for their dreams,” said Flowers. “No matter what you do in life, you need your education. Nobody can ever take your education from you.”
Flowers moved to the Jacksonville area four years ago. She is married and a mother of three, another factor that inspires her to get involved with young people.
So who mentored Flowers? As a younger girl growing up in Birmingham, she joined the Birmingham Striders (now known as the Alabama Striders) track team under Coach Dewitt Thomas. She ran hard and ran often, but will always remember how the coach inspired the runners to keep up with their grades (even though grades weren’t part of the requirements to make the team).
Flowers is one of 690 people to date to volunteer for Mayor’s Mentors. To learn more,
click here or call United Way of Northeast Florida’s 2-1-1 line.