TSPA Fargo Beauty School Educator Wins Deborah Shimer Award May 15, 2024

Congratulations to long-time TSPA Fargo cosmetology educator Mickey Moen! The Deborah Shimer Excellence Award is a very high honor which Mickey has earned.

The Deborah Shimer Excellence Award honors and remembers a woman who lived a life of giving to, supporting and enlightening others.

Ten Messages from Deborah…

1. Love each other. All of you. Just love each other and the people who matter to you. And not quietly or stoically. Tell each other how you feel and show it with a fierce hug.
2. Speak your truth. Holding things in doesn’t help. If you can say it in a gentle and loving way, try to do so. But speak up. No matter what.
3. Spend time outside, breathe deeply, watch the birds, watch the butterflies. Appreciate nature…without your smart phone!
4. Don’t settle; settling takes the air out of your life. It might be the easy choice – but don’t do it.
5. Laugh about good things; laugh bad things off; just laugh. And let go of anger; be forgiving.
6. Believe in yourself. You are more powerful than you understand; and if you don’t believe it, no one else will either.
7. Food is your fuel – would you put lousy gas in your car?Eat well and take care of yourself. And, of course, don’t drink diet soda!
8. Be generous – if you have money be generous with it. And we all can be generous with our time. Help people, listen, and care.
9. Don’t wait for tomorrow to do something that you want to do today or sometime soon. Trust me. Take that trip; launch that business; tell someone how you feel. You can run out of time.
10. Think about me from time to time. I am still here, in your hearts and minds. If I can help you with a memory or insight, reach out for me. Listen quietly, and I will answer you.

Mickey Moen truly possesses these qualities as a mother, friend and educator.

About Mickey – she “strives to teach each student how to dream big or go home.”

Mickey once said that she thinks she believes in her students more than she believes in herself. That comment screams Deborah…

The concluding comment in her nomination said, “this woman is very determined to show her students that a great education is the passport to a better future and that tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.

She is worthy of this award because she took the lessons she learned from losing a loved one as motivation to ignite others.” – Sam Shimer