Raising Stick-to-it Kids: The Great Bamzini Does it Again!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

The Great Bamzini Does it Again!

Common Phrase: If there is a will, there is a way.

I like to think of it like this: Heavenly Father will show us the way,

when we are willing to do His will.

Drum Roll...........

Headline: The Great Bamzini Does it Again!

By: Julie Bushman

(American Fork, UT) Just a few days ago, a hard working, thirteen year old boy paid off the final five dollars of his $3,150 cost for an educational experience to Washington DC with his seventh grade class. It's not an easy thing for anyone to save money in this economy, let alone a young teenager. So, how did he do it? Determination, a strong will, discipline, desire, prayer, faith, patience, persistence, dedication, and tremendous support from family and friends.

In late August, 2011, the Great Bamzini had a desire to join his seventh grade class for a ten day trip to Virginia and Washington DC. The trip was scheduled to depart on June 7, 2012. The price tag: $3,150 including airfare, hotels, food, souvenirs, luggage fees - everything. Nine months for a young man to earn such a sum is no small task, especially when a boy of 13 cannot get a typical job. How on earth did he earn the money?

"I mowed lawns...a lot of lawns. My cousin, who also went on the trip, and I put together a fundraiser with a local sporting goods company. My dad taught me to board-op a radio show so I spent my Saturday evenings producing radio shows with my Dad. I babysat, cleaned, shoveled snow, and took care of neighbor's dogs. I saved all of my birthday money and Christmas money. Some of my family members and friends heard about my trip and donated some money", explained the Great Bamzini.

Where did the name, Great Bamzini, come from? His Dad explains, "It was an early childhood nickname that his Mom made up. He was a very handy and helpful boy...always fixing things and coming up with solutions to problems. One day his Mom said, 'Look at that...another feat accomplished by The Great Bamzini', spoken in a magician announcer's voice. It just stuck. Now, when we see his successes, we declare, 'The Great Bamzini does it again!'"

"It was a long nine months", recalls his mother. "He had to make some hard choices along the way. He skipped out on outings with friends so he could earn money. He sacrificed some sleep to get up early on the weekends to take care of his mowing jobs before his radio work. He went without purchasing treats or games or movie tickets. At times he felt like the task was too great, that he wouldn't make the deadlines. But we encouraged him and told him, 'you won't go on the trip for sure if you give up now, so you might as well keep working on it'. It's good for children to work for something they desire. I have a feeling the trip meant more to him than it would have if we had just paid for him to go."

The hard work paid off with an exciting visit to Historic Williamsburg and Jamestown, Fort McHenry, a personal tour of the US Capitol with Senator Mike Lee, a pre-sunrise devotional on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Mount Vernon, and dozens of other historical sites. The purpose of the trip was to see the Hand of God in the founding of our nation, as well as evidences that America was built on Christian principles.

Upon return, The Great Bamzini was asked if it was all worth it. "YES...it was awesome. It was definitely worth it. I'd do it again!"

Today's Stick-to-it Tips: