Daysia Blackwell
Hospitality & Tourism Management Senior and First Year Graduate Student
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Today was bitter sweet. It was my last day working for Duncan, Oklahoma’s Braum’s Store #42. I started working here when I was 15 years old so that I could pay for my extra curriculars throughout high school. I wasn’t very good when I began but 6 years later my coworkers now refer to me as a legend. The money I made here paid for my first car, and then my second. The summer after my senior year I worked 40 hours a week here and 20 hours a week at another job so I wouldn’t have to work first semester of my freshman year of college. When I came back home for breaks my GM, Hyon Pak, allowed me to work as much as I could and then I would transfer to Store #32 in Stillwater. The Spring Break when COVID hit I immediately went home to Store #42 and began working. My managers really wanted me to become a manager on my extended stay, but Hyon didn’t want me to have a reason to stick around-she knows how committed I can be. This cycle would continue on and on up until this last summer when I had a professional internship and now, my last day. A lot of my managers, coworkers, and customers touched my life and gave me so many memories. I grew a lot in this little fast food joint. I learned how to be calm, cool, and collected in chaos (even if it did take me until about the age of 19 to figure it out). I always strived to be an encouraging voice even when there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel. I gave back scratches to my close coworkers to let them know that everything was gunna be okay. I made lifetime friends that I get to cheer on from a far as they’ve left Braum’s too. It’s my turn now, at least from the Duncan location, and I plan on using all of the skills that I’ve learned for the rest of my life. #covid #school #job #work #food #money #braums #growingup #gopokes #duncan #oklahoma
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Stacy Plocek
Manager UM Manager, Humana
2y
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This is awesome!
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Joe Dyer
OK State Director at US DOL, VETS
2y
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Congratulations
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Calvin Miller
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2y
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Awesome, continue to press on 2022
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Siham Ramadan
Office Manager
2y
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What a beautiful story . Keep up the hard work, encouragement to others, the great attitude and all the your characters to help you navigate the tide and help others . Best of luck and much success in your life!!
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Eric Courtney
Purchaser Westin Irving Convention Center @ Las Colinas
2y
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Congratulations young lady. Job well done and good luck on your journey.
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Brendon W. Morris
Area Vice President @ MOORING
2y
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A job well done! Congratulations on your next step, and Go Pokes!
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Chuck York
Director of Product Mgmt & Sales Ops at Johnson HVAC Distribution
2y
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Awesome! Love me some Braum’s!
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Duncan Blue
Specializing in Product Development and Product Launchs | Oil & Gas Industry Expert Advisor | Contributor Journal of Petroleum Technology | President and Founder of Duncan Blue Consulting, LLC
2y
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First, thanks for the uplifting post. We often hear disparaging words about ‘entry level’ and why minimum wage MUST be increased for a ‘living wage’. This story exemplifies why entry level jobs (and lower pay) is not only good but vital in growth of both the individual as well as the economy. This young lady earned multiples of value above her wages. She learned the basics of what a job means. From showing up on time, being part of a team, participating in training and learning how to achieve advancement.
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James Patrick Taylor
Facilities Integration Project Manager, Supporting Global SLB Mergers and Acquisitions
2y
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Respect!
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Daysia Blackwell
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Daysia Blackwell
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So grateful to be a student in the Spears School of Business - Oklahoma State University / School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Spears Business! This college invests in each and every one of their students.
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Daysia Blackwell
Hospitality & Tourism Management Senior and First Year Graduate Student
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Daysia Blackwell
Hospitality & Tourism Management Senior and First Year Graduate Student
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Last week was a BIG one for me!On Wednesday, I received news that I am a 2022 Section Leader for the Cowboy Marching Band Color Guard! I am so excited to help lead this organization. An organization that has given me so much in my college career and meant even more. On Thursday, I traveled all the way down to my hometown of Duncan, OK to facilitate a breakout room at my High School Alma Mater for their District 3 Student Council Convention. I used a team bonding activity that was previously used at one of the Camp Cowboy trainings. I also got to be the final speaker at the 350 student filled event! This year’s theme was “Diving Into Leadership” so I spoke on my experience with leadership in 5 bullet points: -Jump In-Plunged In-Choke On Water -Dive In -Recieve Your Medals I have a huge fear of public speaking so it was a ginormous step for me to seize this opportunity. My anxiety was eased by the individual words of a group of my high school mentors throughout the day. On Friday, while I headed back up to Stillwater I received acceptance into Oklahoma State University’s Hospitality & Tourism Management Master’s Program! This was one of those weeks that makes you feel truly blessed and highly favored. The love and support I have been showered with throughout my life has ensured my growth into who I was always meant to be. And as always GO POKES!! #school #leadership #leadershipgrowth #team #university #opportunity #hospitality #love #growth #event #experience #divein #highschool #osu #okstate #speech #comfortzone #duncan #stillwater #oklahoma
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Daysia Blackwell
Hospitality & Tourism Management Senior and First Year Graduate Student
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Daysia Blackwell
Hospitality & Tourism Management Senior and First Year Graduate Student
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This past Saturday, I helped lead a day of Camp Cowboy training under the direction of The Great Kristen Hughes. I went into the day with some worries: Am I ready for this position? Will I say the right things? Will the staff like me? Will they respect me? By the end of the day I felt confident in my position as the Programming Director because of the radiant enthusiasm that came from our staff. I was already excited for the experiences me and the other directors are in the process of planning for the summer, but being around the people who will put our plan into motion has made me ecstatic! #training #people #programming #respect #campcowboy #camp #osu #orientation #planning #worries
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Daysia Blackwell
Hospitality & Tourism Management Senior and First Year Graduate Student
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So excited to create this experience this semester!
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Daysia Blackwell
Hospitality & Tourism Management Senior and First Year Graduate Student
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Daysia Blackwell
Hospitality & Tourism Management Senior and First Year Graduate Student
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Go Pokes!!
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