Morgan TemplarMorgan TemplarI was born in Price, Utah on a cold February morning in 1967. I am the youngest of nine, yes count them, 9 children (2 boys, 7 girls). My parents were married in 1949 and stayed that way until my father passed away in December 2006. I grew up in Orem, Utah. I lived in the same house from the age of five until I moved out the day I graduated High School.
I attended Mountain View High School, graduating in 1985 with a GPA of 3.78 on a 4.0 scale. I participated in many clubs and activities: National Honor Society (Historian), Key Club (Founding committee), Young Republicans, Debate (Policy and Extemporaneous Speaking), Drama, Choir (2nd Soprano), Orchestra (1st Violin,1st Clarinet), Symphonic Band (1st Clarinet), Concert Band ("Band-aid"/teachers aid), Jazz Band (tenor sax), Marching Band (clarinet), and an assortment of Honors and AP classes in english, history, math and science. I lettered in Debate and Music. Then, as now, I was an over-achiever.
My first marriage lasted two weeks shy of 12 years and netted a lot of hard lessons and 4 amazing children: Subrina, 22; Autumn, 20; Dale, 19; and Robert 17.
I have been married to Stephen Templar, my soul-mate and best-friend, for the past nine years. He has been a great sport taking on four kids, when he was "never going to have any!" Stephen has been very supportive of my career changes and moves from Utah to Pennsylvania and most recently to Virginia.
2003 was my year from hell. Subrina nearly died and ended up getting a bone marrow transplant (BMT) to save her life after being transfusion dependent and going through many tests to try to find out why. Still no answers. Autumn was her hero and donated the marrow. Stephen was diagnosed with an auditory schwanoma that summer and had brain surgery that left him permanantly disabled with chronic vertigo. I had surgery in-between Steve and Subrina's hospital stays. All through that, and to this day, I worked full-time to support our family.
After 2003, I figured I could face just about anything, so I went back to school at the University of Utah to finish my Bachelor's degree. This time around I majored in Public Relations - a field I love. It was difficult to work full-time and attend school full-time, but it was well worth the sacrifices. A year ago I enrolled in a Masters of Health Administration program at Ohio University. One year down with a straight A's! One more year to go.
I currently serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Virginia Mountain Region of the American Red Cross (formerly the Top of Virginia chapter). I am active in the Rotary Club of Winchester. And participate in my local and national professional organizations.
Public appearances and educational presentations have become a regular part of my routine. I am enjoying editing Stephen's writing and even doing a bit of my own.
I think that's about enough of Morgan.