Parents have a lot of decisions they have to make throughout their children’s lives. One of those is deciding what school to send their kids to. Jennie McDonald says that the community and school of Shawnee is a great place to raise a family.
“Shawnee’s school spirit across the board is outstanding,” she said. “The teachers and community businesses are always there to lift students in one way, shape, or form. That is an amazing quality to have as a community.”
Jennie is the proud mother of three, but she says that she has gained some over the years as well.
“I have three biological kiddos and a few that claim me as a bonus mom or godmother,” she said. “Lachlan is a homeschool graduate of 2023 and graduated this January from Gordon Cooper’s 18-month Aviation Maintenance A&P Adult program. He is currently on his way to getting his Private Pilots Certification through the Civil Air Patrol. Ashley is a senior at Shawnee High School, and she received her CNA last year through Gordon Cooper’s Health Career program, and currently works when her swim schedule allows at Golden Rule Care Facility. She is a four-year swimmer on the Shawnee Girls Swim team, winning three Class 5A state championships, and a seven-year swimmer on the Shawnee YMCA swim team, currently helping as an assistant coach during Y practices and meets. Aedan is currently homeschooling, enjoys bowling, and is hoping OBU’s Bison Esports club takes off after attending their Esports 101 Academy last year. McKayla is my bonus kiddo who is currently enlisted in the Navy and stationed in Florida, she also swam for the SHS swim team.”
With her kids and bonus kids involved in numerous activities, McDonald says that it is vital to teach them how to manage it all.
“It is very important to help kids establish their priorities so they don’t take on too much and burn out,” she stated. “With that said, some kids’ brain types are easier than others to teach that skill set to.”
While it may be few and far between, Jennie says that she enjoys any free time that she gets.
“If I have free time between kids’ activities, homeschooling, and home projects, you’ll probably find me sleeping or hammock camping with my husband in the fresh mountain air of Wyoming,” she said.
