Cornerstone Class Talking Points for 11th Grade Classroom

Talking Points for 11th Grade Classroom

Early Years (Age 9–12)

• First job at 9: Cutting weeds around gravestones with a hand trimmer.
• Paper route: Delivered newspapers 365 days a year in Minnesota.
• Lesson: Hard work starts early, and consistency builds character.
• Narrative: Talk about getting up in the cold mornings, the responsibility of never missing a day, and how it taught you accountability.

Skill takeaway: Reliability and discipline will always separate you from others.

Teen Years (Age 13–18)

• Parents’ rule at 13: “If you want anything, you pay for it.”
• Job as janitor in father’s medical clinic: Worked evenings, 5 days a week.
• Sports and activities:
• High school athletics: cross country, track, swimming, and golf.
• Captain of two sports.
• Junior Achievement president—ran a student business that became the most profitable.
• Student council + drama productions.
• Other jobs: Gas station attendant (full service: pumped gas, checked oil, cleaned windows, filled tires). Later became a lifeguard.

Skill takeaway: Time management—balancing work, sports, and school is the foundation for success later in life.

College Years (University of Minnesota)

• Self-funded education: Worked 20+ hours a week to pay for college.
• Joined a fraternity: Learned networking, leadership, and teamwork.
• Cheerleading: Became captain of the University of Minnesota squad in my senior year.
• Activities demanded balance: Classes, work, cheerleading, and social life.

Skill takeaway: Leadership is about service, not titles. You gain influence by showing up, working hard, and lifting others up.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Junior Achievement: Learned the mechanics of starting and running a business early.
• Sales drives: Whenever the school sold chocolate, birdseed, or other items, you competed to be #1.
• Mindset: Always wanted to be the best—insatiable desire to win.
• Sports achievements: Multiple state championships in swimming, competed in state golf tournaments as early as 8th grade.

Skill takeaway: Winning comes from mindset. Treat every opportunity—big or small—as if it matters, because it builds the habit of excellence.