I sat in the audience at 2007 Orange County, California, Area Recognition Days watching the KOPS graduates walk across the stage. I was awestruck by each and every one of them. Their struggles and achievements were a great inspiration to me. Then, the Area Royalty were introduced, each having been where I was and now being where I desired to be. At that moment I knew that if they could do it, so could I. I wanted to kick myself. Why wasn’t I up there, too?

TOPS has been a part of my life since 1972, and I knew what a wonderful program it was. It offered knowledge on proper eating, exercise and ways to lose weight sensibly. I had tried many other programs over the years, but each had their drawbacks. No other program offered what TOPS did: support, education, encouragement, contests and programs. Not to mention the lifelong friendship—friends that are there for you, no matter what, through your successes and challenges.