Wayne Van Burger
I have a saying I've borrowed ... and that is "When you're green you grow and when you're ripe you rot."
To me, that means a person should always strive to be learning and developing throughout their life. Life's too short to sit back and wait to see what's going to happen to you. I guess that's why I strove to be the best teacher and coach I could be in my 35 years of teaching and coaching.
When I retired from teaching and coaching I decided to produce a TV show called "The Joy of Fishing" where I could share and tell a story of how incredible it is to be in the outdoors. So, if I was doing my part in telling the story, everyone could come to these conclusions ... "Either, I've been there and experienced that before and I want to do it again or I've never done that but I want that experience."
I have a similar philosophy in Photography. I want each photo I share to invoke some kind of emotion in the person who takes the time to see what I've captured in that moment.
In order to get where we want to be in life I think we have to develop certain characteristics to reach those goals. Here are some of the attributes I believe keep us green and growing in life.
Adaptable Amenable Optimistic
Adventurous Compassionate Resilient
Ambitious Considerate Perseverant
Affectionate Courageous Creative
Finally, I believe in Passion. Without Passion, it's difficult to really strive to be the best you can be. I was very passionate for 35 years about my teaching and coaching. I am now passionate about the films we produce at Beaver Hill Productions and about the Photography I want to share with everyone.
"A great photo will last for generations to come."
Listed below are a few of the awards and recognitions I've been fortunate to receive in my career:
1987 Oregon Career Educator of the Year
1988 National Career Educator of the Year
2005 Emmy Award Winner - Producer and Host,
Sports Program Series "The Joy of Fishing"
2011 Emmy Award Winner - Producer and Host,
Sports Program Series "The Joy of Fishing"
1984-2005 Overall Dual Meet Wrestling Coaching Record 238-72-6
1984-2005 League Dual Meet Wrestling Coaching Record 150-25-3
Never coached a losing season in 35 years of coaching either in football or wrestling.
