Published: November 08, 2008 02:26 am      

Change in direction

Courtney Jurasko works to combine business concept with love of animals

FAIRMONT — For several years, Courtney Jurasko had her mind set on attending the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs.

She was a member of the East Fairmont High School Air Force ROTC and received several honors from the Gen. Pete Everest Air Force Association.

Her academy goal was chronicled in the Times West Virginian several times.

Everyone just knew Courtney would be the first East Fairmont student ever to attend the Air Force Academy.

But sometimes things change. And so it was with Courtney. She decided against the academy. Now she has established a new goal — one geared to helping Marion County and its residents.

Turning point

“My turning point occurred when I returned from Girls State in 2006,” Courtney said. “I realized how fortunate I am to live in such a wonderful state that has remained unmarred by the urbanization of big cities, and I made it my personal goal in life to help ensure that the citizens of West Virginia are provided for and to become a lifelong resident.”

She said she identified herself as a gifted individual whose best-served purpose in life is to use her talents for the achievements of other people.

“Needless to say, I opted not to go to the Air Force Academy; the current uncertainty of war and political tension in Washington aided in that decision also. But I wasn’t sure how to fulfill my purpose just yet,” she said.

Then came the Marion County Chamber of Commerce’s Senior Forum, and it opened her eyes in a entirely new way.

“We were assigned mentors, and mine happened to be a lawyer named Bill Holmes,” Courtney continued. “I decided I wanted to become a law student because everyone told me that I would be great at it, but my motivation was all wrong.

“I realized that what was actually important was not to do what people said that I would be ‘good at,’ but rather what I love.

“I gained a full ride to WVU and half-heartedly declared as an accounting major to become a law student later on, and I continued the rest of my senior year through the Senior Forum program.”

Courtney, a high-honors graduate at East Fairmont High School, said that “Senior Forum focused a lot on the development projects that were coming to Marion County and how we are to expect an exponential burst of growth in the next decade.

“We learned about the highway connector, the water park, and many other projects that the county is working on or considering. Learning about these projects truly excited me, and I decided that at some point in my life, I wanted to help the Chamber of Commerce because of all of the good things it does for Marion County.”

Encouraged by C of C

Courtney was greatly encouraged by the objectives of the Chamber of Commerce: To bring business into Marion County which will, in turn, help its residents.

“I decided that I wanted to become a part of that process. I regressed myself back to my childhood and wanted to think of what it is that really makes me happy in life.”

That would be animals.

“I have always loved animals, and for some reason, when I made the realization that I love working with animals, everything clicked into place. I quit my job at an area shoe store and obtained a part-time job at the Middletown Animal Vet Clinic.

“I decided I would like to start a business that would serve as a recreational option for both tourists and residents, and would help animals at the same time.”

But she also plans to build a local kennel to train service dogs, and a general supplies store where tack, apparel, and pet supplies can be purchased.

“I also thought it would be important to offer community classes on animal handling and safety.”

Working machine

And how is Courtney thought of at the Middletown Animal Clinic?

Donna Nuce, secretary at the clinic where Courtney is a part-time employee three days a week, didn’t hesitate to pour on the praise when the student’s name was mentioned.

“My gosh,” she said, “she is just one working machine. She’s a very hard worker in everything she does and everything she does she does 100 percent.”

Nuce said that “she really tries to help other people as well as do her own job.”

Excellent student

Sgt. David Taylor described Courtney as an excellent student.

“She was an excellent cadet. She made it all the way up to the unit commander’s post in the program,” said the man in charge of the East High Junior ROTC program.

“Anything you needed, you just asked her. You didn’t even have to tell her how to do it. She just did it,”

He said Courtney obtained the “adopted spot” for the Junior ROTC — from the high school to the Kingmont Road. That was in her sophomore year.

Asked if she was the cream of the crop, Taylor said she certainly was.

The East Fairmont High School Junior ROTC program currently has 38 students.

Lavish in praise

David Nuzum was lavish in his praise for Courtney.

“Courtney was a very outstanding student at East Fairmont High School,” her former high school principal stated. “She was a hard-working student leader.

“She was very innovative,” Nuzum continued, “She held a tremendous number of leadership roles in a wide variety of organizations.”

Nuzum said she was active in her class, in student council and in ROTC.

“She did very well in spite of some adversity,” he said

Courtney says her eventual goal will be to expand the kennel for an animal rescue and rehabilitation center, allowing rescued pets to be adopted.

“I entered the WVU annual business competition with a business plan for what I have named ‘Mountain Brook Meadows,’ and hope to win the $10,000 prize to start this business. I am going to school as a multidisciplinary major to learn how to manage the stable, take care of horses myself, train dogs, and start a business.”

And then she added, “I could not be happier in life.”