In an Uncommon Game, Lessons to Last a Lifetime

Not many American high schools boast a rugby team. According to USA Rugby, about 30,000 U.S. high schoolers play the sport. But its lack of popularity didn’t stop the Great Oak High School seniors of Temecula, Calif., from starting their own team.

Rugby’s lessons in sportsmanship are at its core. While highly competitive and physical, the game also requires players from opposing teams to look out for one another. As a symbol of this mutual dedication, rugby players have a ritual of sharing a meal together after a match.

“Rugby has a certain expectation of sportsmanship, which is above most experiences that kids and parents have at the high school level,” said Anna Booth, mother of one of the Great Oak’s rugby players. “After each game, the hosting team feeds the guests. It doesn’t matter what happens on the field. Afterward, you are in a fellowship with the other side. The culture is really incredible.”

Sportsmanship has long been a cornerstone of rugby. Throughout 19th century England, in those schools and institutions where the game’s rules were slowly formalized, rugby was seen as a way of instilling values like unselfishness, courage, teamwork and self-control in the young men who played it. The game’s virtues were even exalted in movies, like “Invictus” (2009), starring Matt Damon.

Knowing the values and sense of camaraderie that rugby imparts, our Temecula Les Schwab store jumped at the chance to sponsor the Great Oaks club for next season. The sponsorship includes providing 30 practice and game balls, which this year’s team will pass on to those who want to play next year. Teamwork and integrity are part of Les Schwab’s core values, and we look forward to watching this team continue to grow!

Youth Ag Leader Grows Career With FFA Role

As a third generation Future Farmers of America (FFA) member, Lauren Millang brought a family legacy to her role as vice president of the FFA’s California chapter. “I can recall my grandpa telling me about the different contests he competed in during high school and hearing about my parent’s fair animals,” she said. “I’m proud to be part of an organization that is rooted in tradition.”

Lauren spent a year traveling throughout California facilitating FFA workshops, hosting conferences and learning about the agriculture industry. Over the four years that Lauren was involved with FFA, she found the experience invaluable in developing her agricultural knowledge and her leadership skills.

“I was blessed with opportunities to attend leadership conferences, compete on numerous teams, hold officer positions and even raise animals for our county fair,” she said. “I know these valuable moments spent in FFA have prepared me for a future career in agriculture and have provided me with the tools and experiences I need to become a successful advocate for the industry.”

Some of Lauren’s most memorable FFA experiences include the Washington Leadership Conference in Washington D.C., as well as competing at the American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Show in Oklahoma and the FFA Nationals in Kentucky.

Lauren says the FFA offers a place for just about everyone who’s interested in agriculture. “From computer sciences, to raising livestock, crop sciences or speaking contests, students can truly find their niche and excel,” she said. “FFA is a unique organization that truly gives students a hands-on experience.”

With her move into the VP role, Lauren graduated from a corduroy members jacket that said “Woodland-Pioneer” across the back to a one that says, “Association.” “With this new jacket comes new opportunities, friendships, places and growth,” she said. “Only one word comes to mind when I think of the journey ahead: gratitude.”

Following her year as California FFA state vice president, Lauren is attending Oklahoma State University to pursue a double major in agricultural communications and business. “I am proud to be involved in an organization that creates the future leaders of the agriculture industry,” she said. “And I am proud to be a future agriculturalist.”

At Les Schwab, we’re honored to support Lauren's hard work, dedication and leadership both in California’s agriculture industry and its local communities.

Les Schwab is Inland Empire’s Newest Neighbor

For more than a century, the mountains, valleys and deserts to the east of Los Angeles have made up an area known as the Inland Empire. It includes large cities, like Riverside, and tiny towns, like Radec. It offers access to an enviable range of environments: Sports enthusiasts boast that they can ski Bear Mountain in the morning and surf Zuma Beach in the afternoon.

John Robertson, the southern regional manager for California and Nevada, is a big fan, especially now that Les Schwab Tire Centers has staked out territory in the area. For those unfamiliar with the Inland Empire, Robertson shares what he’s learned as he has helped establish the five crews who will be settling into the newly built stores.

Q: How did the opening of the first Inland Empire store in Temecula go?
A: We welcomed customer No. 1 before we even opened: A member of the Temecula Chamber of Commerce had requested a brand new set of tires and we were more than happy to install them for her. We appreciated her support!

We’ll host a grand opening celebration for Temecula later this summer and begin our support for the community by inviting cheerleaders, mascots and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps groups from area high schools to participate.

Q: What was the community’s response to having a Les Schwab Tire Center in town?
A: Temecula residents, who knew about Les Schwab maybe because they’d relocated from one of our long-time markets in Oregon or Washington — told us how excited they were to have their own Les Schwab store "this far south." People who’d had no previous experience with Les Schwab told us they were "blown away" by the employees who ran out to the parking lot to greet them.

We also got a lot of positive feedback about the state-of-the-art building and especially the second, quieter waiting room where people can hook up a laptop if they need to get some work done while they wait.

Q: How were the stores staffed?
A: The management teams were very excited about pioneering a new market for Les Schwab and, let’s face it, about enjoying the sunny climate in Southern California. Selection was very competitive, and it included both managers for whom the store will be their first time running their own place as well as an assistant manager and manager with a combined 39 years of experience, who applied to transfer as a team. So we’re glad to have a mix of old hands and new blood serving our new neighbors.

Each of the stores will also employ between 12 and 15 crew members chosen from a pool of local applicants.

Q: How would you characterize the Inland Empire?
A: The residents are definitely our kind of people —they say hello and hold the door open for you. They’ve made us feel very welcome, telling us they’re glad to have a "neighborhood" Les Schwab Tire Center. I think we’ll fit in very well, and I’m happy we’ll be able to return the favor with a level of service that sets the standard in our industry.

Q: What’s up next?
A: By the end of July, we opened up three more stores in Perris, Moreno Valley and Fontana. With approximately 4 million residents, the Inland Empire could be one of Les Schwab’s biggest areas of growth, so we could see 12 to 15 stores serving the area by the end of 2017.

17th Annual Radiothon Brings Community Together for Children’s Hospital

Les Schwab stores throughout the Inland Empire were proud to be part of the 17th annual Stater Bros. Charities K-Froggers-4-Kids Radiothon. This is the third year Les Schwab stores in the region got involved. Store managers from across the area came together and proudly donated $3,500 to the cause.

It was a wonderful surprise when the Stater Bros. tripled the donation, helping raise even more for the event, which took place live at the Bass Pro Shop in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

All proceeds from the radiothon benefit Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, a pediatric care center where kids are given the support and treatments they need to battle cancer. The money raised during the radiothon also help fund special bracelets and beads given to kids as they battle their diseases and bravely face new challenges, including CAT scans, hair loss, and more.

Learn more about the Children’s Hospital and you’ll quickly see why everyone in the area rallies around this caring institution.