Live Uncommon’s honorees are Jen and Jeff Paul of LeClaire, Iowa. Jen and Jeff were selected because they personify the Live Uncommon core values of Family, Work Ethic, Fitness and Health, Giving Back, Balance, and Excellence.
Jen Paul has been married to Jeff since 2003 and holds their relationship paramount, making priority time for their marriage and supporting him in his interests. She is a busy mom of two toddlers. Jeff refers to Jen as “an awesome wife, and Super Mom”. A graduate of North High School and Augustana College, Jen earned her Master’s degree from St. Ambrose University in 2009 and is a full-time professional at the Rock Island Arsenal. After graduating from Augustana Jen immediately began coaching cross country and track at the high school level where she made a significant and positive impact not only on the programs, but on the lives of the girls she mentored. Four years later, Jen and Jeff became parents and Jen stepped down as head coach from her alma mater. She is an active volunteer in the nursery at Heritage Church in Bettendorf. Jen was a standout athlete during her high school and collegiate careers, but has risen to an elite level since entering the open field. In addition to more than twenty overall wins in road races in the past year alone, Jen has set a personal record in the 3000 (10:13), an Augustana Pepsi-co record in the 1 Mile (5:06), and a road 5K PR (17:16) in 2011. What Makes Jen Paul our first Live Uncommon award recipient is her drive for and achievement of excellence in her sport, while maintaining the healthy balance demanded by her commitments to her Family, Work, and Giving Back. She is highly regarded by her peers. Live Uncommon has received consistent accounts of Jen’s unwaivering integrity, encouragement of others, humility, and optimism.
In recognition of her Excellence as a Person, Jen is Live Uncommon’s first ever award recipient.
Jeff Paul has been husband and supportive partner to Jen since 2003. Proud father of their two beautiful children, Jeff holds his family as his highest priority. A graduate of Pleasant Valley High School and Augustana College, Jeff holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership earned through Drake University in 2005 and has been a dedicated, full-time 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher at Pleasant Valley Junior High since 2002. Jeff served as coach for Cross Country, Basketball, and Track at Pleasant Valley High School for six years and continues to assist and mentor. Jeff co-founded and serves as Director of Coaching for Team Tri-Fit, a volunteer run triathlon club in the Quad Cities, and has created a volunteer transition clinic for triathlon enthusiasts of all levels. Jeff also hosts www.dreambigjp.net, a blog site created to inspire others to reach for their dreams. A lifelong athlete and collegiate runner, Jeff is accustomed to competition. However, he raised his self-expectations when he took up the grueling sport of Triathlon in 2008. Jeff challenged himself to train to compete with the goal of turning pro. He achieved his dream when he won the Ironman Longhorn 70.3 Amateur Championship in 2009, earning Jeff his professional license. This achievement is extraordinary on its own merit. The fact that Jeff attained his professional status while remaining a fully engaged husband, father, teacher, and volunteer is truly uncommon. Jeff is respected by his students and his peers. Live Uncommon has received countless reports from those impressed by his athletic talents, but even more in awe of his kind and thoughtful nature, obvious commitment to his family, and constant generosity of his time and energy. For these reasons, Jeff is recognized as our second Live Uncommon recipient.
Pleasant Valley Girls Cross Country was selected as LIVE UNCOMMON Charter Team #1 in August of 2011. PVGXC was selected for their commitment as a Team, to Excellence, both on the course, and off. The Team of more than fifty young women, are led by Coaches Jane and Kenny Wheeler, Assistant Coaches Hoffman and Wonderlich, who guide by Uncommon example. PVGXC, also fondly known as The Long Blue Line, boast season after season of strong runners taking MAC Champ Titles and individual Top Ten State Titles. The PVGXC Coaches' dedicatication to the development of each young talent on the Team, as a cross country runner as well as as a fully-rounded Person of the World, is truly life-long. PVGXC steadfastly adheres to an All-Academic standard of 3.5 cummulative Team GPA, demonstrating an Uncommon Work Ethic in the classroom and on the field. Backed by supportive Families and School Administration, PVGXC shows their appreciation by Giving Back. Raising funds and awareness, while donating their Time and Energy to Causes such as Habitat for Humanity in 2010, Students Against Hunger in 2011, and currently for Project Renewal, PVGXC steps forward to Change the World. LIVE UNCOMMON is proud to endorse PVGXC as the first ever LU Charter Team and thanks the Team for continuing to set the LU Charter Team standard.
PVGXC is the first team in 2012 to receive renewal of the LU Charter Team status. Stepping forward early in the summer, team leaders MOLLY MORRIS and MEREDITH BRUSTER sought to crystalize a GIVE BACK plan that would set PVGXC apart for years to come, aiming to strengthen the Long Blue Line legacy of getting it done both on and off the field. In the 2012 season, PVGXC is running to raise awareness and funds for CAFE ON VINE and OUTREACH ORG. For their ground-breaking efforts to lead the way in helping to change the world, PVGXC has been granted LIVE UNCOMMON Race Team status, which also means they were the hat of the Hero within the Movement.
You can help the girls who are PVGXC help their Charities of Choice by donating to their efforts here and by spreading the word about the Long Blue Line - LIVE UNCOMMON Charter Team #1 - PVGXC.
Bettendorf Girls Cross Country is LU Charter Team #2, selected in August of 2011, for their Team commitment to Excellence. Achieving as Uncommon daughters, students, athletes, volunteers, People of the World, BHS Girls XC boasts not only individual State Top Ten Titles, but individuals who Captain other sport teams, serve as National Honor Society and AP Scholars, and full-ride scholarship earners. BHX Girls XC have claimed their niche as the go-to girls to fill Race Volunteer needs at local Race Events, most notably fulfilling the entire Course Control effort at the Nancy Kapheim Memorial Classic 10K and 5K in Rock Island in 2010. LU applauds each of the girls representing LU Charter Team BHSXC for their exemplification of the LIVE UNCOMMON values.
BETT GIRLS XC - or the BETTies - have also received the nod to represent as LU Charter Team for the second year running. BETT GIRLS XC have stepped up their GIVE BACK program - citing GIGI's PLAYHOUSE and THE FIGHT AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE as their Charities of Choice in 2012, for which they are running to raise awareness and funds. Led by senior ANNA PEER the team is off to a fast start, having teamed with rival runners PVGXC to co-host a summer fundraiser - The Great Pancake Eat Off for Charities.
You can help these Uncommon young women do their thing - help them change the world - by donating to their efforts here and by getting the word out about the good they've got going on.
LIVE UNCOMMON announced its proud endorsement of Bettendorf Pleasant Valley Aquatics as an LU Charter Team, at the Team's Home Meet on Saturday January 7 2012, at Bettendorf High School. BPVA was selected as the first fully endorsed LU Swim Team because they personify the values for which LIVE UNCOMMON stands - Family, Work Ethic, Fitness & Health, Giving Back, Balance, and Excellence. Solidifying the Decision of Acceptance as an LU Charter Team, was BPVA's especially impressive commitment to Giving Back. The Club is currently pursuing a partnership with 'Make a Splash' - a national program which brings Water Safety and Swim Instruction to underprivileged children who would otherwise not have access to a Learn to Swim program. Drowing is the second leading cause of accidental childhood death, so LU hats off for this effort. As a part of the registration "fee" for the January Home Meet, BPVA asked each swimmer to contribute a can of food. Over 400 cans were collected and donated to the Misssissippi Bend Food Pantry. Integrating Actions of Give Back into the sporting event is an important factor in achieving LU Charter Team status. LIVE UNCOMMON congratulates each of the 240 BPVA Swimmers, and thanks the BPVA board members who pressed through the rigorous application process required for consideration as an LU Charter Team, as well as for their steadfast commitment to guiding their young Club members to developing not only into high caliber swimmers, but into Uncommon People of the World. The January announcement was the culmination of application and research initiated in November of 2011.
PV Platinum is the first LIVE UNCOMMON Charter Dance Team. Selected for their daily demonstration of the LIVE UNCOMMON values - Family, Work Ethic, Fitness & Health, Giving Back, Balance, and Excellence - PVP received a proud endorsement as LU Charter Team #4 in February, 2012. The squad of over twenty young women not only excel on the Dance floor, earning consecutive State Titles, but are, more importantly, excellent People of the World. Dedicating service hours above and beyond school-set requirements, the Team donates their Time and Energy to many a Cause - St. Jude's, Special Olympics, Optimists, Lydia's House to name only a few. These volunteer efforts are fit in on top of the Squad's commitment to their acadmemic pursuits - a Mississippi Athletic Conference All Academic Team with a cummulative average GPA of 3.79 - and their high-held role of daughter, sister. In February, PVP competed at the National Dance Competition at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, where they were awarded the National Spirit Award - an Honor they earned over 600 other teams nationwide. PVP was recognized for this Honor in a two-minute formal interview on ESPN which aired February 18. LIVE UNCOMMON salutes the young women of PV Platinum, who have taken the Movement to national stage, and done so with their graceful power.
We want to know about other exceptional Live Uncommon individuals or potential future LU Charter Teams. Tell us about her or him or them and how they Balance Family, Work, Fitness and Health, and Giving Back while striving for Excellence. Tell us their story… send us their picture. Recommend them for the Live Uncommon Team Page and let us recognize them for their uncommon achievements!
Please submit a Name, phone number and/or e-mail address, and photo to liveuncommon@russellco.com to see them honored on this site. Also include your name and e-mail address, and how you know this uncommon individual. Please note that by submitting this information, you have given us permission to display their name and picture on this website.
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