Parker County Today PCT January 2019 | Page 74

you would give?  TS: Don’t judge people unless you have lived their life. Be kind and give someone you don’t know a compli- ment; you just might change a bad day into a good day for someone. PCT: What is the coolest thing you have done in your life TS: I got to meet Katy Perry, Steve Perry and Luke Bryan this year. I was invited to Katy Perry’s after party the night of her concert. Katy Perry was amazing and so nice. We went to American Idol and Steve Perry was their guest the day we went. The reason for my trip to L. A. was to meet Luke Bryan and I had pictures taken with him after America Idol. He was very sweet. Kathryn Lammers Kathryn is the owner of Swim Lesson People 72 Parker County Today: How did you get into your occupation? KL: I started teaching swim lessons as a summer job at a local camp and fell in love with working with kids. That summer job led me to my local YMCA and after years in recreational programming, I started volunteer- ing with different organizations to educate about water safety and was connected with Safe Kids Tarrant County. After years of working for other swim programs and being told Parker County was too rural and could never support one, I decided to start my own with an emphasis on water safety.  PCT: What is your favorite novel? KL: I read business and self-help style books.  PCT: What do you do to decompress? KL: Boxing! Not only is it a great workout, but it really is a huge stress relief to just be able to punch some- thing. PCT: What is something people don’t know about you? KL: I’ve lived in seven different states. Growing up we moved every few years for work. I’ve had the privilege of seeing and experiencing so many cultures within our country, but of course Texas is my favorite.  PCT: What would you most like to be remembered for? KL: My obvious answer is teaching kids to swim, but really I’d like to be remembered for inspiring others to do and be great people.  PCT: What’s your favorite way to pay it forward?  KL: I love being able to help fami- lies, especially kids that have a need not being met. SLP has always been a service driven organization, but it’s so heart warming to engage our swimmers and families in various drives and teaching our younger kids about giving back.  PCT: If you could have lunch with anyone, living or dead in history, who would be?  KL: My dad. He was always a role model and mentor for me growing up. It’s been nearly 10 years since he passed and there are so many things that I wish I could ask him about or just sit and talk to him about. My professional life and mission became very focused after he passed and the goals that I shared with him when I was in college continue to unfold. He was the smartest and one of the most passionate and service driven people I have ever known.  PCT: If you had to do another job other than what you’re doing, what would you do?  KL: Something to do with dogs. I had this wild idea in college for a DIY dog wash and I was going to call it Dunkin’ Doggies.  PCT: What is your definition of the best day ever? KL: We are so busy and on the go nowadays, the best day ever would be a tech free, low key day spent with my family. I love to spend time with my husband, James, and bonus kid, Hunter, so really anything that gets us active, engaged and making memories.  PCT: What’s the best piece of advice you would give?  KL: Travel! As much as I love home and Parker County, I have learned so much through travel and expe- riencing different cultures. I’ve also made some great friends and life long memories.  PCT: What is the coolest thing you have done in your life?  KL: A few years ago, my mom and I went on a girl’s trip to Baja California [Sur Mexico] and visited Magdalena Bay. It was during the birthing season for gray whales and we were able to literally reach over our boat (more like a raft) and pet some of the gentle giants and I even was able to pet a baby. It was awesome. I’m not sure I will ever have a life experience like that again.  Barbara Hummel Barbara is the office manager at Memory Gardens of the Valley Perpetual Care Cemetery. Parker County Today: How did you get into your occupation? BH: I worked for White’s Funeral Home for five years, so it was natu- ral that I would fill in at Memory Gardens Cemetery on occasion. When the job became available on a full time basis, I jumped at the chance.