Pizza and ATV Safety

One great thing about what I do is that it is never boring, and rarely ever the same!   This Tuesday, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with my fun and creative colleagues from the northeast part of the state at what we call Pizza Farm.  Some very creative individuals started the Pizza Farm to show third grade students the role of agriculture in the pizza they eat.  From the trees that make the cardboard box, to the wheat for the crust (by the way, I did pass a field of wheat on the way there).  The third graders arrive that morning on their school buses, some from a couple of hours away.  They go through different stations, to learn about different portions of the pizza.

My creative friend and colleague, Beth, incorporates a couple of extra stations to give the youth an idea of what 4-H is, and also incorporates physical activity for fun with dancing or jump ropes.  I am happy to be sharing ATV Safety as part of what 4-H has to offer.  The third graders seemed to soak in what we went over together.  Looking at their little faces, and knowing that another young life was recently lost in the area made them seem even more precious.  Will they go back and share the information I gave them with mom and dad?  Will they remember what we said about not getting on a 4-wheeler at a friend's house, especially without an adult training you on how to drive it, or without mom or dad's permission?  If just one has learned the importance of wearing the helmet every time, that is one precious life.

As those sweet kids finish learning about the pizza, they get to enjoy pizza, fruit, and a treat for lunch.  I enjoyed talking with some of the teachers and chaperones during lunch, and taking pictures with their classes. One wanted to get a photo with them all looking at me, since she said that is exactly what they did when she asked me to take a picture with them.  So sweet and precious.

With that, I wish you safety and smiles for you and your family.

Traci

Safety and Elvis

Today included a beautiful drive to Northeast Mississippi for an Agriculture and Garden Day at the fairgrounds.  I was pleased to be invited to share ATV Safety with a new group of folks.  When I arrived, I got to catch a little of a demo and educational talk on soap-making and herbs.  Such great information, and I plan to try some of her soap!

With a briefing and the sad news of a recent ATV accident, I was reminded of why I chose to do what I am doing. I braced myself and looked at the sweet faces before me waiting to hear what I had to share.  I went through my tips for safety which are Having FUN by playing it SAFE.  I do ask if the kids have been on an ATV, and if they had fun (of course, they had fun!).  We discuss how each tip gives them an opportunity to use the ATV safely.  With each tip they do correctly, they are greatly decreasing the chances of an accident, especially a severe one.  On the opposite end, each thing they do incorrectly ADDS to the likelihood of a severe injury or death. (For more on my safety tips, follow my facebook page to receive tips and updates.)

On the upbeat side, it was great to see the sincere appreciation in the faces of those I met who told me they were glad to see me promoting the safety, and that it is needed.  This, of course, does not mean that others are not promoting safety as well.  It just means that it is much needed.  I am honored to work alongside, as well as follow, those who have and do promote safety of our youth and families.

I had a great time taking pictures and signing autographs of my ATV Safety sheets.  My good friend, Kendra will be sending me the pictures she took.  I will share a couple with you until then.

If you are wondering where Elvis comes in....I was looking for another festival I had just heard of this morning, when I passed the birthplace of Elvis.  Now, you just can't pass by the Elvis home, and museum and not stop!  What a cool place to meet people from all over!!  Renovations are underway, and I enjoyed meeting the man behind it all.  He told me he is looking at being finished in June.  If you are ever near Northeast MS, make plans to stop by!  People come from all over the world.

Wishing you safety and smiles!
Traci

Safety Day in Mississippi weather

It was a cool day, a dusty day,... a rainy day, a hot day.  Yes, it was all of those things within a few hours!  Talk about a bad or confusing hair day! You have to love Mississippi weather; at least there are days when you have several choices throughout the day.

The day started with thunderstorms as I made the drive to Houston, MS.   I was concerned about the rain starting since I was on the outside edge of the metal county agriculture building.  My colleague assured me not to worry, that it would pass.  They had delivered a nice, large ATV for me to use as a visual aid. It was just a little wet with the rain that had started, but it would make a great point of reference when talking to the 5th graders. 

I went over my points of ATV Safety, and how I came about promoting it as Mrs. Mississippi International.  I knew from talking to groups prior, and from observations, that riding the wrong size ATV is one major mistake made by many.  I use the demonstration that I could drive their bus back to their school, and I can barely reach the brakes, and barely reach the steering wheel; but, hey, I can drive it!  I ask them to stretch out their arms as far as they could and stretch out one leg as if the brake pedal is far away.  This is what happens when a young child gets on an adult or teen sized ATV.  Yes, they can turn the engine on; yes, they can use the throttle. Hopefully, they can stop it at some point.  However, they are not equipped physically or mentally to operate a larger ATV.  Steering, turning to avoid obstacles, and using the brakes are not easy for a child when the ATV is too large.  I think and hope the point came across, and that it is remembered the next time they are tempted to hop on an ATV that is not their size.

I enjoyed sharing the other tips on my list.  Of course, helmet use was a top priority as well.  It was especially nice to have youth members of the Pilot International Club there; they are called Anchors as youth until they are old enough to become Pilot members.  They have brain safety and education as the main focus of the group.  I turned parts of the education over to them to share with some of the 5th graders.  I reminded the teens that the elementary students looked up to the them and respect their opinion.  The two teen boys handled the task very well, and told the kids "That's not cool... (in their "cool" voice) when the elementary students would give an example of something they had done incorrectly. "It' s not cool to do stunts...you will get injured doing that."  Then, a female teen gives the group an example of  how doing several things wrong can turn into big trouble. I just love the way the teens are taking a lead and not waiting for adulthood to step up to the plate.

I could write more, but I will post a few of the pictures instead.

Wishing you safety and smiles,

Traci

Brain Inury Awareness Month & More

It may be the end of March, and March may be the designated month for Brain Injury Awareness, but that does not mean the focus of this important topic will fade away.  This month has been full of conversations with a variety of people on the topic of brain injuries and how to be safe.  I really do feel blessed to have met and connected with those of you I met.  We each have something unique to offer, and together we can make a difference.  Whether as a mom, a daughter, a son, a father, a professional, a volunteer, an elected official, a grandparent, an ASI (ATV Safety Institute) instructor, a 4-H agent, or a football coach.  What I have to offer as Mrs. Mississippi International is completely different from a football coach, but each contribution is important and unique.  We can each make the most of what we have been given to make a difference.  That is what is so wonderful about coming together for a common cause.  The crown would not work well for the football coach, and I would be a terrible coach!  But I know that I am fulfilling my purpose by sharing my platform as Mrs. Mississippi International.

Please help me spread the word that education on brain injuries can and does make a difference.  Yes, ATV or motorized helmets are super important.  Just as important is a bicycle helmet for biking or skateboarding.  For those in group sports, I am learning that education on sports concussions is of upmost importance.  The Brain Injury Association has taken an active role to promote simple legislation to better protect youth from long-term effects of multiple concussions.  What can you do?

Get involved, and be a role model by wearing a helmet, teaching a child, or sharing your special gift.


Wishing you safety and smiles,
Traci

Legislative Day with Brain Injury Association

In Mississippi, March 22 was Legislative Day at the Capital of MS.  This was a great opportunity to show my support for a great organization that works closely with our State 4-H and works hard to keep our youth safe from brain injuries.  From the moment I arrived as Mrs. Mississippi International, I was greeted and warmly welcomed by staff and fellow supporters.  I was blessed to first meet several special ladies and men- brain injury patients.  They were there as stroke victims, or survivors of accidents that left them with a brain injury.  I love the fact that they have the common goal of supporting the Brain Injury Association and all that it does!  As Dana of the Brain Injury Association told me, "They are our support."

I enjoyed taking pictures with each of them and listening to them as they shared about themselves...some more than others.  It was a pleasure to meet Wesley, a young man with the legislation concerning sports concussions bearing his name.  He suffered from a severe injury while playing high school football.  It was amazing to hear him tell his story at the press conference, and then to meet his family and see how he bragged on his mom and dad supporting him through the near-death experience and coma.  The legislation is simply to protect youth eighteen and under so that they do not experience multiple concussions and have the severe complications that can go along with that.

Spending time talking to Wesley was one of the highlights of my trip.  We share a passion for not only prevention of brain injuries...but for Ariat boots as well!  As we stood around talking, he commented that his feet were tired.  I pointed to my heels and asked how he though my feet were feeling!  He said actually he loved his boots.  I commented on how I love my Ariat boots, and even threw them in my car this morning....just in case...you never know!  He smiled, and pulled up his pant leg to show a little of his boot.  "That is what mine are!" he exclaimed. We shared a "high five" and had fun laughing about our boots, and how one of us mispronounced it!   I sure hope our paths cross again soon in our fight to prevent injuries and keep youth safe.

Well, I have much more to tell later, but I am signing off for now. More pictures to follow later.  Please take care and remember to not take things for granted. 

Blessings to you and your family,
Traci

My platform featured on MSU website

When I was interviewed, I didn't realize it would be featured on the MSU website Maroon MEMO!  Needless to say, I am thrilled that my platform of ATV Safety is featured.  We can never get the word out too much that SAFETY is key for preventing all types of  injuries.  I am thankful to be able to promote this in preventing accidents and brain injuries.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement!  You are helping spread the word, and for that I am appreciative.

Traci

Maroon MEMO: Employee News and Information

Week of January 30, 2012 Archive | Search

Traci Mongeon, Mrs. Mississippi and Choctaw County 4-H agent, will compete in the Mrs. International pageant in July. She promotes 4-H and ATV safety as her platform. PHOTO: Kat Lawrence | MSU Ag Communications

Mongeon promoting 4-H, ATV safety in pageant
4-H agent Traci Mongeon of Ackerman recently earned the title of Mrs. Mississippi International and will travel to Chicago in July to compete for the title of Mrs. International 2012. Juli Hughes, MSU Extension Service director in Choctaw County, said 4-H will benefit from Mongeon's promotion of the program.

Safety First

What an amazing week this has been! I had the opportunity to share ATV Safety for three days this week. While I am accustomed to sharing about safety, I am not accustomed to doing so with a Mrs. Mississippi International title. So, I was not only Mrs. Traci, the 4-H lady, but also Mrs. Mississippi International! It was the first time I had ever autographed my safety flyers at a school...but I am sure not the last. I do think I got their attention that preventing injuries is very important, and something that they can do.

The kids were grades 3rd through 6th and were very attentive and honest as I spoke to them. Most (probably 85-90 percent) raised their hands when asked if they have ridden on an ATV before. When asked if they were wearing a helmet, the hands went down with probably 10 percent raising their hands. I emphasize that a helmet is something they ALWAYS wear when on an ATV or similar motorized vehicle. I think it is also important to discuss ways for them to make good decisions, so I ask for examples of how they can tell their friends they cannot ride them on the back of their 4-wheeler (ATV). Some are stern and say, "You can't ride on the back of my 4-wheeler." Others added, "It's not safe." "I don't want you to get hurt." I know peer pressure can be difficult for kids at times, so I tell them they can even use the line, "Mrs. Traci told me I can't do that!" Now, I don't know if they will ever use that line, but I want them to be prepared and be able to say "no" when they know they should.

The youth already know that they can have fun on ATV's. I stress that in order to have FUN (and avoid injuries), remember you must be SAFE.
Find an ATV made for your size and age.
Understand the rules and laws in your state.
Never go anywhere without permission and an adult knowing where you are.

Stay on unpaved trails and stay as safe speed.
Always wear your helmet. Not just and helmet, but one for motorized vehicles.
Friends do not ride as passengers (unless it is made for two or more).
Expect the unexpected, whether it is an animal, another person, or a fallen tree.

I discuss these safety guidelines with the youth, and remind them that the same guidelines apply for adults, including myself. By following these basic safety tips, they will greatly reduce their chances of an accident, especially a severe injury or death. My wish is that safety will become second nature, and needless injuries and deaths will be prevented.

Be safe and have fun!

Traci