Project #1

For our 1st project we were given 25 Denver Metro restaurants to meet with in an attempt to get them on board with the Smart Meal Program. This program was designed by Kaiser Permanente, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and Live Well Colorado. The Smart Meals Program works with local restaurants to help them showcase healthier meal options and label them appropriately on their menus. By being a part of this program the restaurants could potentially gain more customers as well as support CDPHE's goal to lower obesity rates here in Colorado. Out of the 25 restaurants our team was assigned, we were able to successfully get 3 of them to be part of the program. This helped our team beat out the A Team, who also did a magnificent job.
The A Team has proven themselves to be worthy opponents in this competition and it will be interesting to see how the next few projects go.

For our reward we were swept away in a limo and driven to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for a VIP tour. I've driven by the facility several times when travelling to the springs but never had the chance to go in and take a look around. It was an amazing experience! Eli Bremer, a pentathlete and 2008 Olympic hopeful, was gracious enough to be our tour guide. He truly inspired every single person on our team. After the tour we all sat down and enjoyed lunch in the cafeteria. Some people feel that if what you're eating is good for it usually doesn't taste too good. If you are one of those people then check out the food at the Olympic Training Facility because after one bite you will have changed your mind. The food was terrific as well as the company. I think this was a great, memorable experience for our team and it has definitely motivated us to go out and win project #2.

My Bio

Heidi Harrold

Name: Heidi

Hometown: Fairbanks, Alaska

Major: Biology

Minor: Chemistry

Favorite class: Advanced Human Cadaver

Background:
I am 26 years old and am a pre-med student here at Metro State. I started at Metro back in fall 2002 and I have come to the conclusion that I am a career student in hopes of one day retiring and becoming a real doctor! My goal is to eventually become a pediatric surgeon. Once I’ve established myself in my chosen field, I would love to travel to other countries and provide health care to those who are less fortunate. I currently work full-time as a supervisor for a not-for-profit organization. I attend school part-time to full-time, depending on class availability. Since I’m juggling work and school currently, I do not have much free time, which I know a lot of fellow Metro students can relate to. Now that winter is here I am looking forward to making time to go up to the mountains and go snowboarding. When I am not at work or school, you can find me either studying or playing with Transformer toys with my four-year-old nephew. Snowboarding and spending quality time with my nephew give me a break from my daily routine of work and school.

Favorite quote:
"All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."
– T.E. Lawrence

Why I’m excited about being part of “The Apprentice Challenge @ Metro State”:
The Apprentice Challenge will be a great opportunity for me to not only work with fellow Metro students but also to work with several Colorado-based companies on community-oriented projects. I know it will be a great learning experience and I hope that by working with the other participants on projects I can improve my communication, interpersonal, and teambuilding skills.

Why I should win “The Apprentice Challenge @ Metro State”:
I am a hard-working, motivated individual who will proudly and respectfully represent Metro State. I strive to always be a good role model and to set a good example for others. I am also a creative problem-solver who believes that there is always a solution to every problem. I’m the type of person who will not stop searching until that solution is found.