She soon learned that her submission was one of the winning designs for the NYC Cow Parade, created to increase tourism and raise lots of "MOO-lah" for area organizations and local charities. "I was so surprised that I won," Janine says. "I thought my idea was too simple."

When the life-size fiberglass cow was delivered to her school, Janine discovered that painting and preparing the cow for public display was anything but simple. After weeks of hard work, the cow was displayed in front of Madison Square Garden. Janine explains, "I'm glad that my dad, who's a professional artist, didn't give me any help on the project. Otherwise, it would have been HIS idea and not MINE!"

Inspiration for the book stemmed from a family trip focused on a job assignment of their dad, an environmental scientist, who was gathering data about natural resources in the parks that could be damaged by acid rain and other forms of air pollution. In exchange for taking both daughters on the trip, he prearranged jobs for them such as entensive research and photocopying.

While preparing for the trip, the girls found books targeted towards teens to be lacking. There were books about exploring parks for the very young, as well as books for adults. However, there were none available that were written specially for teenagers. So they decided to fill the void themselves by following their dad's lead and writing a report of their own, in the form of a book for teens.

Their parents provided initial support and reminded them to keep up with their journal entries, sketches, and photographs while on the trip. The girls interviewed park rangers and scientists, such as the supervisor of Lava Beds National Monument who arranged their special tour of Fern Cave, a sacred cave used by ancient Native Americans.

After the trip, it took another year to complete and edit the book. Ten park scientists reviewed the draft for technical accuracy, which the girls then addressed. Jenna found it difficult staying focused and carrying through with work that seemed like it might never end. There were many times when it just didn't seem like finishing the book was possible. It was hard to see past those times and keep working, especially since she had never had experience with such a lengthy project. Nothing had prepared her for the two year time commitment it would take to research, write, and promote this book. Both girls were supported and encouraged by each other, their parents, and the National Park Service scientists and staff. The girls' grandmothers provided moral support by reading each chapter and gushing about how proud they were. Jenna and Laura now view the sacrifices they made as definitely worthwhile. They learned a tremendous amount about science, nature, and the writing and publishing process.

Holly conducted library research, as well as talked with doctors and the Chairman of the Board for the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF). She volunteered at a summer day camp for Nevada kids with catastrophic diseases. She launched a fundraising campaign and obtained organization partnerships to help the camp and also provide T-shirts and sweatshirts for the campers.

Generation Hope raised $3,300 to provide 22 holiday Talking Teddy Bears for kids with cancer. It also partnered with United Airlines to produce 215 gift bags for kids who particiapted in their program.

At age 13, Holly was asked to serve as the first youth member of the NCCF Board of Directors. She then served as Teen Board President.

At age 14, and a student at Thurman White Middle School, Holly was honored by Prudential as one of America's Top Ten Youth Volunteers for 2001.

At age four when she overhead someone wondering aloud if she were a midget, Jessica took it upon herself to respond, "I'm not a midget, I'm a dorff." At that young age, she had not fully grasped the meaning of her statement, but she now realizes why she is so different from almost everyone else she sees.

One noticeable problem that accompanies most types of dwarfism is the rounded pelvis which causes the hip to jut forward making an uneven or rocking gait when walking. Some dwarfs have a regular size body with short arms and legs, but Jessica's extremities are proportionate in size to the rest of her small body.

At age 10, Jessica spent her entire summer in a cast from waist to toe recovering from surgeries on both hips. Later she learned that one side had not healed correctly and would need to be redone. During that summer, she lifted herself off the bed or couch onto a wagon or wheelchair by sheer strength of her arms. This made her upper body quite muscular, evidenced the next school year when she took part in the President's Physical Fitness Program and won the certificate for highest number of chin-up on an outdoor bar. Having won over all the boys as well as girls was most satisfying.

Being so tiny makes keeping up with her regular size friends a challenge. Walking with them at the mall, or riding bikes with them on her much smaller bicycle causes her friends to slow down or wait a lot. When Jessica tires of keeping up with the bigger kids on foot, one particular friend, a boy, will push her in a handy fold-up stroller.

Things we take for granted are more complex for Jessica, like reaching light switches, water fountains, the dinner table, boarding a school bus, or using public facilities to name a few. However, when playing Hide-and-Seek, Jessica always finds the neatest places to hide and is usually last to be found.

Experimenting with makeup is her favorite way to pass the time. Her long blonde hair is sometimes streaked with shades of blue or red, but whether braided or in a pony tail, it always sports the latest fashions in colorful hairclips. Her clothes are as close in style to those her normal size friends wear, which isn't easy since she wears a toddler size four.

When Jessica plays with neighborhood kids, or her normal size younger sister, Jessica likes being the boss. Her imagination and gung-ho enthusiasm at Girl Scouts makes her compete with the best of them at selling the most magazine subscriptions or cookies. She plays the flute in the school's band and has won the flute section's prestigious first chair recognition on several occasions.

An average school day is a physical challenge for Jessica, but academics have never been a problem. Now in seventh grade, she makes getting good grades a priority. Her school helps in every way possible to alleviate potential problems, such as supplying her with an extra set of textbooks for use at home. This makes it possible for Jessica to have a sporty bookbag without having all the heavy books inside. Maneuvering during class changes can be tricky for her. Sometimes a friend will walk with her so she isn't trampled in the halls, or Jessica may wait for the second bell before leaving one class for another.

Jessica has a big voice and is not shy. She likes making eye contact and doesn't mind being lifted to the piano top or a table so she can be as tall as everyone else. She also enjoys taking a turn on the dance floor at the Friday night school dances.

Jessica has come to grips with her world and doesn't let her small size hinder her from trying things she sees her friends doing whether it's backbends, cartwheels, high heels, ice skating, or swimming.

She is a small wonder-woman with just enough brassy determination and sassy wit to drive her teachers and parents bonkers, but those are also the characteristics that hold her upright and steady when life throws her another curve. Her loving family finds it difficult to stand at the sidelines and let her manage those hard times in her own way, but Jessica has developed a great philosophy of life.