Latest news with #PilotPen
The Guardian
10-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
First jobs, first love and a serve of minimum chips
My first part-time job was in a small continental delicatessen at the Ringwood Market. I worked Friday nights and Saturday mornings and was paid $2.50 an hour. I was 14 and yearned for something more glamorous than slicing salami and cutting cheese – although I do remember my workmate and I regularly enjoying sharing the inch-thick end piece of chicken loaf that was too small to slice. I wore a blue shapeless uniform and was supposed to wear a hairnet but never did. There was an apron of sorts that we'd wipe our hands down after each customer had left, smearing meat stains and olive brine in patterns on the thick cotton. The two men who owned the stall were generous with their teenage staff, never minding if we scraped in a few minutes late for a shift or rearranged our hours because of some upcoming party. And at Christmas they'd always tuck an extra $20 note into our pay as a bonus. The day I forgot to put the guard down on the slicer and watched in shock as the front half of my finger dropped into the 100gram order of ham off the bone, they cleaned me up, bandaged my hand and sent me straight to the doctor for stitches. I must have been more of a liability than an asset. From there I graduated to a news agency in a major train station hub. Again, I had a blue uniform dress but this one had a Pilot Pen patch sewn on to the lapel. I worked with two other teenagers on Friday nights and we became fast friends, gossiping and chatting in between serving customers. We lived for the weekly piles of unsold magazines because we could rip off the covers to send back for a refund and take the rest home to read. This was how I kept up with all the latest from Hollywood, learned what hairstyles were in and studied pages of fashion that I could never afford to buy. My third part-time job as a teenager was in a bakery near my parent's house I rode my bike to on weekends. The shop was always warm by the time I arrived because the baker started early. At the end of each day, the unsold cakes and bread would be divvied up among the staff, and my favourite was the boston bun with the fake white icing. My boss drove a panel van and told vaguely inappropriate jokes, but he was as kind in his own way as the owners of the deli, spending hours educating me about the lyrical genius of AC/DC's Angus Young. I was always working weekends as a teenager. Trying to save for something or other. A new coat. A pair of skinny jeans. A boom box that still plays. When I wasn't out with my school friends, I was sweeping floors, scrubbing meat slicers, and learning how to count change. Serving customers was at first terrifying, but I slowly grew to enjoy it. My new children's book, Sonny & Tess, is a tribute to the part-time jobs of my teenage life and to the endless crushes that populated my diary. It's partly set in a suburban fish and chip shop where Tess and the shop owner's nephew Sonny work. Together they cry as they slice onions, argue over the correct salting of chips and learn to navigate all those awkward and exciting feelings of your first crush. Unfortunately, my teenage working years were not so romantically blessed. Instead of meeting cute boys, I had to be content with slicing off my finger, becoming an ardent AC/DC fan and learning which magazine featured the best star sign prediction for a Virgo. I did serve Guy Pearce fresh from his role in Neighbours once, prompting my friend and I to giggle so much that it took both of us to bag the loaf of bread. The beauty of writing Sonny & Tess is that I could finally invent the sort of gentle romance I longed for when I was 14 – complete with chicken salt, potato cakes and a generous serve of minimum chips. Nova Weetman is an award-winning children's author. Her latest children's book, Sonny & Tess, is published by UQP
Associated Press
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
PILOT PEN'S NEWEST $100,000 G2 OVERACHIEVERS GRANT WINNER ANNOUNCED ON "THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW"
Anna Taylor-McCants is awarded the grant for her extraordinary grassroots leadership and impact on the lives of the unhoused JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pilot Corporation of America (Pilot Pen) is proud to announce the most recent winner of its G2 Overachievers Grant, a program that honors individuals who go beyond their everyday responsibilities to make a meaningful difference in their communities. After reviewing thousands of inspiring, handwritten entries, Pilot Pen is thrilled to recognize Anna Taylor-McCants as the recipient of the $100,000 G2 Overachievers Grant, as revealed on a special segment of 'The Kelly Clarkson Show.' Anna is the Founder of FedUp, an organization which, since its inception has provided over 75,000 meals and 10,000 hygiene services to homeless individuals in her community. Anna Taylor-McCants is a full-time Pastor, Wife, Mother, and The Founder and Executive Director of FedUp Ministries who launched the nonprofit during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to the growing needs of her southeast Michigan community. Without waiting for funding or permission, she built a website, streamed virtual worship services, and earned certifications in food safety and nutrition to ensure that her outreach was both safe and respectful. As said by Ariann Langsam, Vice President of Marketing for Pilot Pen on the June 9th episode of 'The Kelly Clarkson Show', 'The G2 Overachievers Grant was set up to honor and celebrate individuals, like Anna, who go above and beyond their 9-to-5 to make a real difference in the lives of others. That is exactly what Anna does as a full-time pastor, wife, and mother, who is a fierce and fearless advocate for those suffering with homelessness.' Since 2020, FedUp Ministries has delivered and essential hygiene services, including mobile showers and laundry facilities. But what makes her work truly transformative is her model of empowerment—hiring individuals experiencing homelessness as part of her team to help carry out this work with compassion, dignity, and purpose. Pilot Pen is committed to recognizing those who step outside their day-to-day roles to lead with purpose and transform their communities. With the G2 Overachievers Grant, Pastor Anna plans to expand the scope of her operations and establish a permanent hub for FedUp Ministries, continuing to meet urgent needs while building long-term community resilience. Pilot Pen will continue to celebrate and support individuals like Pastor Anna who are creating measurable change with grit, heart, and purpose by awarding the G2 Overachievers Grant and the G2 Overachievers Student Grant each year. If you or someone you know is making a difference, submit a handwritten story between 1,000 to 2,500 words. Entries for the next cycle open later this summer and will be accepted through December 15, 2026. At Pilot, we believe in the Power to the Pen—that big ideas, fueled by intention and creativity, can change your world or the world of others. Overachievers like Pastor Anna know that the right tools matter. The Pilot G2, America's number one selling pen*, is smooth-writing, comfortable to hold, and proven to be the longest-lasting gel ink pen**. Available in four-point sizes and more than 30 color options, there's a G2 for every story waiting to be written. * #1 selling Gel Pen, Circana, 2024. Data on file. ** Independent ISO testing: Average G2 write out (all point sizes) compared to the average of the top branded gel ink pens testing (all point sizes). Data on file. ABOUT PILOT CORPORATION OF AMERICA Pilot Pen offers superlative writing instruments renowned for quality, performance, cutting-edge technology and consumer satisfaction. Widely acknowledged as an innovator, Pilot was first to introduce Americans to fine point writing and currently maintains the top share position in the gel, rolling ball and erasable pen categories. Pilot's line of acclaimed products includes the G2 Gel Ink, Precise V5/V7 Rolling Ball and FriXion Erasable pen lines, as well as Acroball Advanced Ink Ball Point pens and the ergonomic Dr. Grip family of products. Pilot Pen manufactures and distributes from its state-of-the-art facility in Jacksonville, Florida; its parent company is the oldest and largest manufacturer of writing instruments in Japan. For more: FOR MORE MEDIA INFORMATION: LEXI KIRKHAM BRIGHT RED AGENCY • 850.668.6824 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Pilot Corporation of America (Pilot Pen)
Malaysian Reserve
06-05-2025
- General
- Malaysian Reserve
PTA Shines a Light on the Critical Work of Educators During Teacher Appreciation Week
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Teachers go above and beyond every day to support children's success in and out of the classroom. To thank, honor and elevate how 'Teachers Light the Way to Brighter Futures,' PTA will mark Teacher Appreciation Week May 5-9. 'Each day, teachers spark curiosity, kindle creativity and guide students toward limitless possibilities, shining their light on every aspect of student growth and development,' said Yvonne Johnson, president of National PTA. 'Teacher Appreciation Week is an important time to celebrate our nation's remarkable educators and honor their invaluable impact on the lives and futures of our children.' During Teacher Appreciation Week, PTAs across the country will be hosting events and conducting activities to celebrate and thank teachers for their outstanding contributions. National PTA encourages everyone to join the association in recognizing teachers by: Sharing stories and photos of teachers on social media using #ThankATeacher Sending heartfelt letters, cards and messages of appreciation Creating artwork, poems and video messages Recognizing teachers with awards and certificates Volunteering time to help in classrooms Advocating for investments in teachers and other efforts that will help strengthen the profession and build morale As part of Teacher Appreciation Week, National PTA has teamed up with Pilot Corporation of America (Pilot Pen) to provide nearly 60,000 pens and mechanical pencils across schools in Delaware, Florida, New Mexico, South Carolina and Virginia. National PTA has also teamed up with happy® products to provide their coffee and Keurig machines to schools in New Jersey and Virginia. 'Teachers often spend their own money to ensure their students have access to supplies and resources and receive the best education possible,' added President Johnson. 'We are grateful to Pilot Pen and happy products for helping us support and give back to teachers.' National PTA has designated the first full week of May as Teacher Appreciation Week since 1984. For more resources and ideas to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, visit About National PTA National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit National PTA does not endorse any commercial entity, product or service. No endorsement of Pilot Pen or happy products is implied. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE National PTA
