Cincinnati students
Indian Hill High School Students Organize Fundraiser
This post was written by my intern, Andrea Francisco, a senior at Indian Hill High School in Cincinnati
Becca Daun was inspired by her brother, Michael, to raise money for cognitive research benefiting those with Down syndrome
On Friday, October 24th, come to Indian Hill High School for Touchdown for Downs, a fundraiser that will help fund important cognition research benefiting those who have Down syndrome. A few years ago, an Indian Hill High School student, Becca Daun was inspired by her brother to help fund its research. She created “Touchdown for Downs”, a truly awesome fundraiser that is held during one of Indian Hill’s home football games.
While interviewing my fellow classmate Carissa Contra, a volunteer for Touchdown for Downs, I asked her to tell me what this annual fundraiser is all about. She told me it benefits the Lumind Foundation and The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati. “We are so excited to spread awareness and raise money for a great cause! From raffles to food and drinks, this event is all about having fun and raising money as a community,” she said
After asking her why this cause is important to her and how she got involved, Carissa responded, “Rebecca Daun and I started it to support her brother, Michael, who has Down syndrome, and just raise awareness around the community.”
If you’re wondering, the Lumind Foundation is a foundation that was established in 2004 to fund cognition research relating to Down syndrome. In essence, their mission is to “accelerate the development of treatments to significantly improve cognition, including memory, learning and speech, so they can participate more successfully in school, lead more active and independent lives, and avoid the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease.” Their vision is “not a cure, but treatments to improve memory, learning, speech, and ultimately independence.”
Similarly, the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati is another organization that supports people who are impacted by Down syndrome through support programs, community groups, and advocacy work. The organization’s mission is to “empower individuals, educate families, enhance communities and together, celebrate the extraordinary lives of people with Down syndrome.”
Last year’s Touchdown for Downs was a great success: they raised more than $4,000! This year, they hope to have even more people come. This is an event that is sure to stay and create a lasting tradition at Indian Hill. Touchdown for Downs will be held at Indian Hill High School on 6865 Drake Road on Friday, October 24th at 5:30 P.M., where there will be food and drinks under the pavilion. Also, there will be raffles, T-shirt sales, and bake sales. At 7 P.M., Indian Hill will play its game against Wyoming and at halftime there will be a show including the participation of special-needs students. Please come out and support research benefiting people who have Down syndrome while having a fun time at Touchdown for Downs!
Rick Guidotti Is Changing How We See Our World
Last week, I had an incredible, rare opportunity through my public relations work for the Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival organized by LADD to meet and get to know someone whose vision, drive and passion is singlehandedly changing the way we see the world. The way we see each 
other.
Rick Guidotti was one of the most sought after fashion photographers. He traveled to exotic locations, always first class; and had studios in Milan, Paris and New York. Through his lens, he captured the eloquence of the world’s most elite super models for Revlon, Loreal, Marie Claire and Elle. But, through all of his success, something was missing.
Until that fateful day when Rick spotted a 12 year old girl with long, flowing white hair and pale skin waiting for a bus, his career had been focused on showcasing an industry’s standard on what beauty should look like. The problem, he realized, was that there was a real dichotomy between what his clients dictated he saw and what his eyes and heart saw as descriptors for that same label.
The last fifteen years have seen Rick’s lens refocus. On any given day he could be anywhere across the globe whether in Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, San Diego, New York…or Cincinnati capturing the essence of young and old whose only similarity is the fact that they have a genetic, physical, or behavioral condition. He is the founder and director of Positive Exposure, an innovative arts, education and advocacy organization that provides new opportunities for individuals to see people with differences as human beings first.
Rick is on a mission to use his talents to put the humanity into medicine, schools, workplaces, and communities through the words and images of people who have diagnoses. His goal for his art and his talks is for audiences to leave with a new perspective on those around them. He wants them to them to see the life, energy and beauty in ALL people no matter their differences.
While here in Cincinnati Rick spoke to hundreds of students at area schools and to an audience at a free talk at Obscura downtown. At every event I saw magic happen before my eyes. Young people who deal with typical issues of peer and academic pressure applauded loudly. The bleachers in the gymnasium at Summit Country Day School rocked as row after row of youth stood on their feet.
Rick Guidotti with students from Cincinnati Country Day School
Last Friday the Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival had Rick photograph local families that he will use to create an exhibit for the Festival, which will be February 27 to March 7, 2015. If you missed any of the media coverage, here are some links.
It was truly a week that left a lasting impact on me. And it made one thing a lot more clear…the world needs many more Rick Guidotti’s.
It is not too late to see Rick’s art. His #FotoFocus2014 exhibit will be on display at the Art Academy through October.
Nonprofit ‘Girls On The Run Of Cincinnati’ Builds Strengths
Just think about it as Can University – a place where girls learn that they CAN. No limits. No constraints. Only opportunities to be remarkable.
And for 10 years, more than 10,000 local girls have grown physically; in confidence; character values; teambuilding and life skills through this great learning think tank.
Also known as Girls on the Run of Cincinnati, it is part of an international non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of young girls in grades 3 to 8. Its 12-week programs (one in the fall and one in the spring) combine exercise with positive education and encouraging role models. Meeting at various locations twice a week, each 75 minute lesson incorporates running and walking games, as well as teaching participants about healthy eating, leadership, setting 
goals, cooperation and other age-appropriate topics. The culmination has the girls participating for their very own 5K run/walk.
Megan Folkerth is making a difference.
This fall will be the 11th race in which she has volunteered for the organization. Since 2009 she has served on the Race Committee, coordinated the running buddies and been one (an adult matched with one of the girls to run together in the 5K), and a SoleMate fundraiser.
A long distance runner herself having completed 15 marathons, five ultra marathons, various other races and in training now for a 100 mile trail race, Megan understands the value in reaching within yourself. “It is a huge sense of accomplishment when you push yourself to attaining a new goal,” she told me.
Why is Girls on the Run important to her? “I think about the struggles you go through as a young girl and how awesome a program like this would have been for me years ago. We are helping these participants to grow up and be successful and lead a healthy life.
“My greatest satisfaction though comes from watching them cross the finish line and finish something they did not think they could do 12 weeks ago, and knowing 
my efforts contributed to that success. It just makes you feel great.”
It is an afterschool program – girls meet twice a week at their site with a head coach and assistant coach. There is a lesson and a running component. Lessons vary from body image to self esteem to anti-bullying. Different element of curriculum each time and big celebration is 5K.
Megan has helped organize a bone marrow drive with the Flying Pig Marathon. She coaches in a running group and done some volunteer work with MS.
She has been running – first half marathon in 2007. She has done 15 marathon, various halfs and others, 5 ultra marathon (50K or over and usually trail races). Why does she run? She works in the health field and this is a huge component to leading an active life. Sense of accomplishment to push self to attain a new goal.
How can you help?
Girls on the Run relies on volunteers to work directly with its girls and coach its programs. In addition to coaching, there are several other volunteer opportunities including: race day event volunteers, office support volunteers, SoleMates participants, committee members and various other projects. There are also group volunteer opportunities for corporations or organizations.
SoleMates are adult runners who pledge to raise money for Girls on the Run while training for their own races. With the program costing about $160 per girl, these fund raisers have an important role in ensuring everyone who wants to participate will have that opportunity.
Cincinnati Students Pay-It-Forward To Sick Children
Children helping children. I think that is such a beautiful message, and a beautiful cause. And it is the driving force of a nonprofit that has engaged youth in 30 states to pay-it-forward, inspired more than 250,000 hospitalized children and their families.
That nonprofit is Soaringwords, Inc., and recently it collaborated with 60 students from Cincinnati Roger Bacon High School and St. Francis Seraph Elementary School to decorate 100 SoaringQuilts® and SoaringPillows®. Each one with inspirational messages and artwork based on superhero themes about “Never giving up!”
Representatives from Soaringwords delivered 25 SoaringQuilts® and 25 SoaringPillows® for the patients of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and did a short program at the medical center’s Seacrest Studios. Then the Soaringwords delegation headed to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Cincinnati where they led a Soaringwords + Zumba® dance experience to celebrate wellness and fitness for patients and families. This experience was made possible through a grant from The Manuel D. and Rhoda Mayerson Foundation.
Soaringwords’ mission is to lessen the negative impact of serious illness by embracing hospitalized children, families and staff, encouraging positive health and healing. Soaringwords provides fun, creative and educational activities both in person and online based on positive psychology concepts that enhance well-being. Lisa Honig Buksbaum, Soaringwords CEO & Founder started the non-profit organization thirteen years ago after three experiences with death and illness in her family occurred in a 10-month period.
For the students of Roger Bacon, that day was the culmination of a school year where they internalized the values of service by mentoring their Bacon Buddies from St. Francis Seraph Elementary School to do something positive for children who are sick. “Today changed the lives of our students as they used their character strengths of kindness, love and creativity,” said Alicia Ausere, director, community outreach, Roger Bacon High School
Sycamore Township Students’ Art Auctioned At Cincinnati Zoo
Marissa Thorp is a student at Edwin H. Greene Intermediate School in Sycamore Township
Congratulations to these Edwin H. Greene Intermediate fifth graders, two of many other students of Paula Webb whose barrels were on display and then auctioned off at the Cincinnati Zoo last Thursday! Paula had challenged her students to paint rain barrels that promoted water conservation efforts. Then they were judged along with 200 other design submissions from across the region – and every barrel by Edwiin H. Greene Intermediate students was chosen.
Once the designs were complete, the student barrels were judged by members of the Save Local Waters organization and the Hamilton County Soil and Conservation District, along with more than 200 other design submissions from across the Tri-state, to see which barrels would be displayed at the Cincinnati Zoo throughout April.
Niyati Kanchan with her painted barrel
Every barrel by an Edwin H. Greene Intermediate student was chosen for the display.
