Jenneice Beckstrand

2019 Utah Mother of Achievement

Jenneice Beckstrand was born in Blackfoot, Idaho, to Rex W. Gurney and Bernice Summers Gurney.  The family moved to Emmett, Idaho a few months later. Jenneice grew up on a farm close to her grandparents. She graduated from Utah State University in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She married Michael Beckstrand in 1979 in Logan, Utah. They are the parents of four wonderful children and grandparents of seven amazing grandchildren.

Jenneice has supported her community as an educator, mentor, and advisor working in many capacities in the Cache Valley School District. She has taught in the classroom as a substitute for 20 years,  and support several literacy programs.  She has been an advisor and mentor for college-age young women and young mothers at Utah State University. She has been nominated for the Aggie College Women’s Organization.

She has served as president of the Utah Opera Guild. Jenneice has offered her support in many causes to provide support to mothers and children by providing aid and comfort in many forms. She has participated in gathering items for the homeless, refugees, abused children, Blue Star Mothers of Cache Valley, a safe house, and young women in Africa.

She has been a member of American Mothers for 31 years and has served in many capacities, including Utah Mothers president, National Area 4 Coordinator, and member of the Nominating Committee.  Jenneice was recognized by the national organization with the Ethel Parham Award and the President’s Award for her service to young mothers and mothers of Utah. Jenneice has also been a strong support of the Utah Mothers Association, serving as president or co-president for eight years. She cherishes the friendships she has made with mothers across the country.

Here is a more detailed look at her resume:

Educational Involvement

  • Cache Valley School District
    • Member of the Cache County Education Foundation Board (2 years)
    • Member of the School Site Base Council (parent oversite for school system – 10 years)
    • Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) (5-6 years)
    • Teacher of Early Reading Intervention (kindergarten reading comprehension)
    • Teacher of Reading Mastery and Corrective Reading
    • Substitute Teacher and Long-term Substitute for Teacher on Maturity Leave (20 years)
    • Member of PTA – 25 years
    • PTA Board Member for Elementary and Secondary Education (25 years)
  • Organized and Administered an Exercise and Reading Program to Aid in the Rehabilitation of a young mother who suffered a severe stroke
  • Collected book donations for Title One Schools (schools with children primarily of lower income)
  • Utah State University
    • Advisor for single college-age young women (6 years)
    • Mentor for college-age young mothers (5 years)
    • Nominated for the Aggie College Women’s Organization – a prestigious group of women who recognize a limited number of women who have had a large impact on the University and its students

Community Involvement

  • President of the Utah Opera Guild
  • Spokesperson for the Utah Values Program
  • Chairman for the Cache County Food Pantry Donations
  • Past member of Family Focus Council – taught parent groups and spoke in public forums on the Assets Program, designed to strengthen youth in the home
  • Responsible for or participated in numerous community events to support mothers and children
    • Responsible for collecting donations for the Salt Lake City Refugee Center
    • Participated in gathering personal care items for the Salt Lake City Homeless Center
    • Responsible for gathering books and clothing for Head Start
    • Teddy Bear Drive Project – to assist abused children – for Lewiston State Bank of Utah
    • Volunteer for Little Lambs (children rescue) Backpack Project
    • Responsible for collecting items for CAPSA (women’s safe house), Family Place, Children’s Justice Center, and First Responders
    • Volunteer in Days for Girls Project – personal hygiene care for girls in Africa
    • Helped wrap 500 Christmas gifts for Special Needs School in Cache Valley
    • Volunteer to help with the Loaves and Fishes Dinner for families in need (First Presbyterian Church, Logan)
    • Volunteer for the Clear Recovery Addictions Clinic (drug and alcohol abuse)
    • Participated in Season’s Readings Book Distribution for At-Risk Children, a non-profit organization,
    • Distributed clothing, blankets, etc. to hospitals in Support of Emerson Summer Beckstrand, a support group for mothers who have lost babies
    • Participated in collecting and distributing personal items for our military men, women, and their families in support of the Blue Star Mothers of Cache Valley
  • Volunteer for the Top of Utah Ragnar Race

American Mothers, Inc.®

  • National Organization
    • Member of AMI for 31 years
    • Recipient of Ethel Parham Award, 1994, in recognition of service to young mothers
    • Recipient of President’s Award, 1995
    • Area 4 Coordinator, 2004-2006
    • Member of the Nominating Committee, 2007-2009
    • Member of the National Convention Committee, Salt Lake City, 2011
  • Utah Mothers Association
    • Member of the Utah State Board for 30 years
    • President of Utah, 1993-1996, 2000-2004
    • Co-President of Utah, 2011-2014
    • Utah State AMI Convention Chairman, 1997, 1998
    • Area Coordinator for northern Utah
    • Utah Young Mother nominee
    • Organized several young mother study chapters across the state
    • Participant in the AMI Mentoring Program
    • Assisted with National service projects – 5th Grade Essay and ABC Quilts
    • Utah Mother of the Year Search
      • Search Chairman, 4 years
      • Selection Committee, 4 years
    • Arrange Mother of the Year visit to the State Legislature and Governor, 20 years
    • Chairperson of the Utah Triathlon AMI Fundraiser, 10 years
    • Represented Utah Mothers on the Utah Advisory Board with Utah First Lady Jackie Leavitt, 1992-1998
    • Participant in the Governor’s initiative for Families Today Conferences, 8 years
    • Member of the Executive Council for Utah Families
  • Cache Valley Chapter
    • Cache Valley Chapter President
    • Member of Planning Committee for Cache Valley AMI Women’s Conference, 29 years
    • Chairperson for the Cache Valley Mother of the Year Honor Luncheon

Religious Involvement

  • Service to members of the local congregation
    • President of the organization for young women, ages 12-18
    • President of the children’s organization (ages 2-11)
    • Sunday School teacher for youth, age 14
    • Teacher for the women’s organization
    • Advisor and member of the Inner-council of the Logan LDS Institute Women’s Association