“My Name is Paula McKinnon. I am Lola’s current riding coach. As such, I am privileged to spend a significant amount of time with her each week. Lola has been riding with me for 3 years. In this time she has consistently impressed me with her desire to learn and improve herself. She also works as a working student each week and at our camp during the summer. I have seen her working with small children from the ages 7-12, some children are excited to be there and I have witnessed her encourage them to be confident and have fun. I have also witnessed her working with children who are terrified of horses. Her patience and encouragement continues to amaze me and inspire me to be like her. I feel teenagers that behave this way are far apart from each other.
Lola also has amazing attention to detail, whether it’s about her own appearance, that of the animals, and the care that she provides because of her awareness. Lola is also a very good teammate, she will jump in to help anyone in need with the same kindness. Lola has been one of my go-to girls because I know that any task I give her will be completed and then some. I truly feel that any program that includes Lola would be extremely lucky to have her.”
~ Paula McKinnon, Head Trainer, Glen Grove Equestrian Center
“As one of Lola’s first riding instructors, I’ve had the opportunity to watch Lola develop as a rider, horsewoman, and leader in her community from the beginning of her riding career. As a rider and horsewoman, Lola is patient and kind. Horses like her, especially ones that tend to jump to conclusions, because she doesn’t pressure them. She just keeps asking for what she wants. Although her horse showing resume isn’t extensive, it demonstrates that she is always ready to take advantage of an opportunity, consistently producing excellent results in whatever environment she finds herself. It’s proof that she’s done the work, and the consistency hints at the consistent effort she puts in.
In the barn, I have watched Lola develop camaraderie and a sense of community in a place where it didn’t previously exist. As the natural leader of this community, she is inclusive and encouraging. For the last two summers, I hired Lola to help with a horsey summer camp. The amount of praise I received from the kids and their parents for Lola as an expert teacher was outrageous. This summer, she nearly ran my camp without me, leading the charge and problem-solving on the fly. I could not have done it without her. Lola is an asset to any team, pitching in to push towards common goals, taking charge if needed, or quietly supporting from the background. She has no ego and if given a task, will see it through to the end. Her work ethic is incredible. In a world where opportunity can be given or earned, she has worked hard to earn her chance to participate, making her an excellent student of the sport. I am so proud to have been a part of her development.”
~ Lindsey Oaks, Chief of Operations, Messenger Hill Farm
“Through Lola Pawlak’s writings and conversations in our 10th grade English class, I immediately saw her compassion and maturity. She has a quiet confidence, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t present and engaged. Through her writing and smaller group conversations she shows a calmness and kindness that is unique to see at her age. Lola often shares her love for horses and her time spent at the barn. She also shows her strong values for family, friends, and music. I still remember her narrative essay about her Great Granny Annie and how vividly she captured how this special woman taught her so much about what is important in life — one’s history, beliefs, and enjoying those we love. Lola’s poem “The Age I Always Dreamed” was charming and insightful about how at six one so eagerly wants to be the age “to drive a car,” and how once there, there are new dreams of wanting “to be, the little kid, making slime in her basement, having fun with her friends.” Lola’s honest about how growing and learning can be challenging and cause one’s confidence to waver at times, but shows her understanding of how important it is to persevere through the uncertainty in order to achieve her goals and dreams.”
~ Carie Radford, English Teacher at Glenbrook North High School