Today in the Mobile Alabama Sunday newspaper Lisa Nicole was highlighted in an article on the front page of the Neighbors section. What started out as just a small email request to have her name recognized for receiving her YW Medallion at church a few Sunday's ago snowballed into a front page article, personal interviews with a reporter, and lots and lots of attention!

The newspaper editor heard about Lisa's award after we submitted an email request for a highlight to a general website address printed in the paper. (You know like the ones you regularly see in Utah for Eagles Scouts and Young Women alike?) Well, the editor asked for some more information about the award and was intrigued by what Lisa had to do in order to receive the award so he sent a reporter out to interview her for a small piece they do each week called Getting to Know. Its usually just a few paragraphs on the bottom of one of the pages of the Neighbors section that comes out once a week in the Sunday paper.

Well, after an hour long interview, pages of notes the reporter took, and the tape recording of their entire interview the Editor must've decided there was much more than just a few paragraphs to share, because today we were shocked to see her on the front page of the Neighbors section with not just one but two pages of info written about her and two pictures accompanying the story!

We couldn't believe it! And we couldn't be more proud of Lisa! Hope you enjoy reading about it!

Here's the link:
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/neighbors.ssf?/base/community/1231064199145470.xml&coll=3

Headline: Her 4-year project was labor of love, faith
Sunday, January 04, 2009
By JO ANNE McKNIGHT
Correspondent

At age 16, Lisa Nicole Schloemer has accomplished one outstanding goal in her church curriculum, is an exemplary student at Baker High School, a volunteer in her community and, according to her mother, a big sister who sets an excellent example for her younger siblings.

On Dec. 14, Lisa Nicole, the daughter of Lisa and Arnold Schloemer, was presented with the Young Womanhood Recognition Award by Walter Stringer, bishop of the Theodore Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Mobile Alabama Stake — a region that includes several Alabama counties and some nearby Mississippi towns.

To earn the award, Lisa Nicole, a member of the LDS Church in Theodore, had to complete seven "values" as described in the LDS Young Women Personal Progress program.

Girls begin this personal journey, similar to a boy seeking Eagle Scout status, when they are 12 years old and must complete the requirements by age 18.

The values are faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works and integrity. "Each requirement," explained Lisa Schloemer, "is designed to help young women develop their talents and grow closer to God through prayer, church attendance and scripture study."

Lisa Nicole kept a journal as she spent the past four years striving to attain her goal.

"For faith," she said, "I read the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ."

In the "divine nature" category, she chose to compile a memorial scrapbook for twin boys who lost their mother to a stroke when they were only 2 years old. "She was my baby sitter when I was little," Lisa Nicole said to explain why this was perhaps her favorite activity.

After contacting about 100 family members and friends of the young mother who died and receiving more than 50 responses, Lisa Nicole compiled the letters, e-mails, notes and pictures into a book for the twins, now almost 4, and the Schloemer family drove to Salt Lake City to deliver the finished product.

For her individual worth project, Lisa Nicole knitted caps for newborns at the University of South Alabama Children's & Women's Hospital. "I finished 37," she said.

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For "knowledge," she played "I Know My Redeemer Lives" on the piano for a program performed by younger children in the church. The audience consisted of about 200 parents and friends and "I was very nervous," she said.

The most fun of the seven values was "choice and accountability." Lisa Nicole was chairwoman of the committee that planed and produced a dance and workshops for about 150 teens from the stake.

For "good works," she and other girls in her church baby-sat youngsters while their mothers shopped and enjoyed supper at a silent auction fundraiser at Hutchens Elementary School, and then gave their earnings to the school library.

Though church and a Godly life is uppermost in Lisa Nicole's priorities, school is also important.

Currently a sophomore at Baker, she has never earned less than an A in school.

She received the Highest GPA Overall Top Student Award at Causey Middle School when she graduated from eighth grade and was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society at Causey.

At Baker, she served as vice president of her freshman and sophomore classes, has been in the Key Club for two years and has served on the homecoming float committee for two years.

On Christmas Day 2007, Lisa Nicole spent the morning at the Waterfront Rescue Mission handing out clothes and toys to the homeless. This Christmas, she and her family spent the day at the Salvation Army in Mobile, helping to prepare and serve the holiday meal and clean up afterward.

But life is not "all work and no play" for Lisa Nicole.

She loves to travel and has spent time in 37 states. She absolutely "loves" roller coasters, the higher the better, she said. She has downloaded scores of tunes on her iPod, many from the '50s. Among her favorite perform ers are John Mayer and the Goo Goo Dolls.

And, said her mom, "her favorite food of all time is chocolate."