It’s no surprise that City Representative Jenni Shadle is committed to making Santa Clarita a great community–after all it’s where her life began. Born at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, raised in Saugus and attending Saugus High School and College of the Canyons, Jenni received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication, with an emphasis on Public Relations from Cal State Los Angeles. She is now the City of Santa Clarita’s Arts and Events Coordinator.
Jenni started with the City of Santa Clarita in 2002, mainly working on the Arts and Crafts Fair (now known as the Fine Craft Show) and the eight-week Concerts in the Parks summer series. “As lead staff,” states Jenni, “I coordinated the logistics of the event from performers, marketing, event layout, staffing and more.” Jenni has also coordinated other events, such as the 2006 Amgen tour of California Stage 6 Gala dinner for 250 guests, the 2007 Amgen Tour of California Rock the Bike event featuring the Gin Blossoms, and developed the event, Third Friday, now called Suburbia, which supports local bands at the Santa Clarita Activities Center. Once a month, fans have the opportunity to watch these bands perform. “Higher Level Production is a fantastic partner. They book all the performers for this monthly event.” States Jenni.
On September 27 and 28 of this year, the Santa Clarita Art Festival, sponsored by Lockheed Federal Credit Union, will highlight a spectrum of artistic talent in Old Town Newhall. This will be Jenni’s third year as the lead Arts and Event staff member, having to coordinate the budget, event logistics, marketing and much more, contributing to the success of this event. This exciting two-day festival will be located along Main Street, between Lyons Avenue and Fifth Street. It’s a free outdoor event, open to the public, featuring live entertainment, international dance performances, live music, fine arts and crafts, hands on activities and the fine art of street painting.
Outside of work, Jenni has volunteered for the YES I CAN Summer Meltdown’s Annual Poker Tournament and Concert—a unique social and recreational inclusion experience for special education students and general education mentors. The YES I CAN program includes opportunities for special education students to work on hands on practical life and group participation skills. Aside from volunteering for the program, Jenni also enjoys traveling, having recently visited New York, Maine, Boston and Utah. She also enjoys attending concerts. “I just saw 3 Doors Down, Staind, Hinder, and The Killers,” states Jenni with a smile, “if anyone has tickets to the Foo Fighters, I am you girl!”
Jenni is also very athletic. She competed in a mini triathlon at Disney, having to swim, bike and run, and spent the month training for the Nike Human Race 10K at the L.A. Coliseum, held on August 31 of this year. In the winter, Jenni also loves snowboarding in Big Bear and spending time at her family’s cabin in Fawnskin.
Jenni, keep up the great work and thank you, for making Santa Clarita such a fun place to live!