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Parable of Four Friends

Once upon a time, in a land adorned with towering mountains, there lived a fearless young man named Liam. Liam had a dream that consumed his every thought – he yearned to conquer the grandest peak of them all, Extraordinary Mountain. The mountain was renowned for its treacherous cliffs and unforgiving terrain, but Liam was undeterred by the magnitude of the challenge.

Liam knew that achieving his dream would require more than mere talent and ambition. He understood the power of consistency and the cultivation of successful habits. Day after day, he embarked on rigorous training, pushing his limits and refining his skills. He practiced his climbing techniques, strengthened his body, and studied the art of conquering mountains.

However, in this same land, there were those who could not comprehend Liam's unwavering commitment to his dream. Among them was Ethan, a lazy river rafter who preferred the calm serenity of drifting along gentle currents. Ethan could not fathom why Liam chose to climb mountains when he could simply enjoy the leisurely pleasures of the here and now. He mocked Liam, ridiculing his ambitions and dismissing his efforts as foolish.

Then there was Sophia, a complacent valley dweller. Sophia was content with the comforts of the familiar, never venturing beyond the boundaries of her mundane existence. She looked upon Liam's pursuit with confusion, unable to grasp why he would willingly subject himself to the hardships and risks of mountain climbing when he could lead a simpler life in the valley.

Lastly, there was Oliver, a comfort cave camper. Oliver had found solace in the cozy embrace of a cave, shielded from the elements and hardships of the outside world. He was perplexed by Liam's desire to scale mountains, unable to comprehend why anyone would willingly endure falls, failures, and setbacks when they could stay within the safe confines of their comfort zones.

As Liam began his arduous journey up Extraordinary Mountain, he faced numerous slips, falls, and failures. Every setback was a lesson, and every fall taught him resilience. But Liam never wavered in his commitment to his dream. Each time he stumbled, he picked himself up, dusted off his clothes, and continued with renewed determination.

From time to time, he encountered Ethan, Sophia, and Oliver on his ascent. They would gather at the base of the mountain, their faces filled with disbelief and skepticism. They couldn't fathom why Liam persisted, defying their notions of what a fulfilling life should be. They laughed at him, ridiculing his determination, and questioned why he would choose to endure the hardships of mountain climbing when he could have immediate creature comforts.

But Liam remained undeterred. He knew that true fulfillment lay in pursuing his passion, in embracing the challenges, and in conquering his fears. The mockery and ridicule only fueled his resolve, for he understood that the naysayers could never comprehend the unyielding fire that burned within him.

As Liam reached the summit of Extraordinary Mountain, his heart swelled with triumph. He had realized his dreams through his commitment to consistency, perseverance, and the pursuit of something greater. From the peak, he gazed down upon Ethan, Sophia, and Oliver, who stood at the base, their faces filled with awe and wonder.

In that moment, Liam made a decision to start extending his hand to his doubters, offering them a glimpse of the extraordinary. He invited them to shed their complacency, laziness, and comfort, urging them to discover the exhilaration and self-discovery that lay beyond their limited horizons. Liam's ascent had not only fulfilled his own dreams but had also sparked a spark of inspiration in the hearts of those who had once ridiculed him.

Virtual Zoom Lunch

Dan Herod

Wednesday, May 12 
(12:00 - 1:00 PM)
Overcoming It All
Dan Herod is a husband, father, friend, communicator and author. He and his family are no strangers to adversity. After enduring two consecutive miscarriages, they encountered an unimaginable tragedy when their 13-month-old daughter passed away from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Since that fateful day, Dan and his family have found the key to living an incredibly abundant life in the midst of overwhelmingly heartbreaking circumstances.

Dan lives to encourage everyone to live the best life possible. For over 15 years he has been speaking to groups of all ages and sizes. Dan tells humorous stories and shares compelling experiences in each and every talk he gives. It is his joy to share what he has discovered in the most difficult season of his life.

Since 2010, Dan has served as the Youth Alive Director for Wisconsin and Northern Michigan. Youth Alive is an organization committed to helping students live the best life possible. He loves to spend time with his family and finds immense joy serving as a volunteer fire department in his community. Dan and his family reside in central Wisconsin where the summers are ever so beautifully breathtaking, and the winters are so cold they take your breath away.
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Lake Hallie

Dallas Steward

Thursday, May 13 
(11:45 - 1:00 PM)
Assistant Coach at Michigan Tech
Dallas Steward enters his fourth season as an assistant coach at Michigan Tech in 2020-21. During his first season, Steward and the Huskies went to the NCAA Tournament after winning the WCHA Championship Game. Tech finished 22-17-5 overall and was ranked No. 16 in the final USCHO poll. Four players have signed NHL contracts in his first two seasons at Michigan Tech.

Steward was an Associate Head Coach with the Chicago Steel of the USHL for two seasons from 2015-17. The 2016-17 team went 38-17-2 in the regular season, defeated Youngstown and Dubuque in the first two rounds of the playoffs, and won the USHL Championship with an overtime win over Sioux City in Game 5 of the Clark Cup.

Steward started his coaching career with the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) as an assistant coach and scouting director from 2011-15. He helped lead the team to three consecutive playoff berths and a Clark Cup title in 2014-15.

Steward played 138 games over four years at the University of Alaska Anchorage from 2000-04. He scored 27 goals and added 32 assists as a forward, was an assistant captain as a senior, and a three-time WCHA All-Academic selection. Steward went on to play six years of professional hockey in both the CHL and ECHL from 2004-10.

Prior to college, Steward played three seasons with the Green Bay Gamblers, winning the Clark Cup in 2000. He amassed a total of 74 points over three seasons with the Gamblers, including 18 goals and 27 assists in their championship season.
The Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin native has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public communication from UAA. He and his wife Janet have two daughters, Jade and Blake.

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