teens
YMCA Salute Gala Celebrated Achievers
I just wrapped up working on a wonderful project – the Salute to YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Gala.
David Garibaldi, known the world over for his amazingly unique stage entertainment, brought his show to our region for the very first time as he created four 6 ft tall masterpieces before a filled Bank of Kentucky Center arena with more about 550 seats sold – at the Salute to YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Gala. The evening was a celebration of the potential of young people when inspired by caring adult role models who are volunteers of the YMCA.
The YMCA Salute Gala honored local professionals who are giving back as volunteers of the YMCA’s college readiness program. Also honored were eight teens selected to receive YMCA scholarships, including Breana Marie Nicholson – who was honored as 2011 YMCA Teen Achiever of the Year. Lisa Martin-Patterson and Olivia Darks were honored as YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Program Community Volunteers of the Year. James T. Cowan, MBA, and Chrystal Davis, were honored as YMCA Adult Achievers of the Year.
One of the largest regional programs of its kind, the YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Program motivates students of color to further their education and goals with help from successful, professional role models. Since its beginning, the Program has served over 6,000 teens, awarded over $200,000 in scholarships, assisted youth with over $4 million dollars in awarded scholarships and engaged more than 4,500 adult volunteers through a network of corporate and community partners.
The Salute Gala also raised essential funding so that the Program can continue to offer this valuable experience to hundreds of area youth, paving their path toward college and a career.
(photos by Mark Bowen)
YMCA Scholarship Recipients Received A Special Gift
At the Salute to YMCA Black & Latino Achievers Gala, in addition to honoring adults who are giving back, we also had the great pleasure of recognizing eight of our 2012 graduating YMCA Teen Achievers who have earned YMCA scholarships. It was so special when they all were invited to a fitting with Macy’s stylists for their first business suit. The professional attire is a gift from the downtown Macy’s store (Macy’s is a major sponsor of our YMCA Salute Gala) and Mrs. Kay French, a YMCA of Greater Cincinnati board member. I am enclosing a few photos from the fitting day.
YMCA Teen Achiever honorees:
Breana Marie Nicholson, Princeton High School – YMCA Teen Achiever of
the Year
Other YMCA Teen Achiever scholarship recipients:
Jada Calhoun, Princeton High School
Ryan Darks, Roger Bacon High School
Aquil A. Frost, Wyoming High School
Tamika Lawson, Colerain High School
Mallory Screws, Walnut Hills High School
Robert Stevenson, Butler Technical High School
Cincinnati Has A New YMCA Youth City Council
Following campaign speeches to about 200 Cincinnati area high school students, the 2011-2012 YMCA Youth Cincinnati City Council has been officially sworn into office and was publically introduced before Cincinnati City Council on October 5, 2011.
The elections were the culmination of an annual two-day YMCA Youth in City Government conference aimed at engaging young people in having a voice within their communities, and strengthening leadership and communication skills.
The year-round YMCA Youth in City Government program gives Cincinnati students the opportunity to learn about local, state, national and international politics. It offers teen participants a venue to gain leadership skills, strengthen their ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively, and learn fellowship by working together with peers from diverse backgrounds.
The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati is one of the area’s largest nonprofits focused on engaging individuals and families in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. This year more than 125,000 people will come to the YMCA to learn, grow and thrive. Adult role models nurture positive values and life lessons in children through sports, summer camps, structured child and afterschool care, and leadership building programs. Branches offer quality time for families to be together, resources for parents, and a variety of opportunities for seniors to be active. The YMCA ensures these opportunities are available to everyone no matter their ability to pay with generous support from community partners and donors.
Photo:
left to right: Virginia Hollatz (Mt. Notre Dame H.S.); Jane Eby (Mother of Mercy H.S.); Jordan Stevens (Mother of Mercy H.S.); Benita Munnerlyn (Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy); Joseph Trentman (School for Creative and Performing Arts); Kyle Denman (St. Xavier H.S.); Nick Staresinic (Moeller H.S.); Kyla Norton (School for Creative and Performing Arts); Sami Spanagel (Mt. Notre Dame H.S.); Stephanie Cline (Mother of Mercy H.S.); and David Frost (Altersgate Christian Academy)
Haley & Caroline Have Juvenile Diabetes & They Want Their Lawmakers To Know
Haley Palmore of West Chester (Ohio), 16, and Caroline Cain of Covington (Kentucky), 13, just came back from Washington D.C. where they had a once in a lifetime opportunity to educate lawmakers about a disease that has had a profound impact on their life – type 1 diabetes. It was all part of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) Children’s Congress 2011 where 150 young people nationwide gathered to do their part to affect funding for type 1 diabetes research.
That was a big charge for these girls but they were excited about the challenge and proud of their accomplishment. It was definitely a journey of personal value.
“I was really proud of myself for speaking up. I’ve never done public speaking before but I knew what I was going to say,” said Haley. “For me, it was very important to be there. Every year my family raises a lot of money. We all want a cure and we’re all in this together.”
Both Haley and Caroline have learned important lessons in responsibility from their having to manage a disease that requires them to check their blood sugar 10 to 12 times daily…but they do not let diabetes define them.
Diagnosed at age 5, Haley has lived with an insulin pump since age 7. She is a student at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy and she swims year round for the Mason Manta Rays. She is the daughter of Mark and Carla Palmore, and has a younger brother.
Caroline was diagnosed at age 4 and has lived with an insulin pump since age 6. She is a student at Covington Latin and active in soccer, tennis and other school activities. She is the daughter of Carla and John Cain and has three sisters.
“I wanted to go to Washington because I wanted to make a difference,” said Caroline. “Funding is needed and I wanted to help get the FDA to approve home trials of the artificial pancreas. I think we definitely made people more aware of the issues with diabetes.”
(Pictured on left: Haley Palmore; on right: Carolyn Cain)
40 Cincinnati Students Received Project GRAD Scholarships
It’s so great to see organizations, volunteers and professionals all putting their energy together to help young people dream and realize personal success.
Project GRAD is a nonprofit partner of Cincinnati Public Schools whose goal it is to help students succeed in the classroom and in life. More than 2000 students have strengthened their academic skills, their relationships with parents and their self confidence as a result the organization’s programs.
And recently, forty 2011 graduates of Western Hills University High School were honored by Project GRAD with Rising Star Scholarships totaling $134,000. Scholarship recipients had a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average, completed the college recommended academic requirements and participated in two Project GRAD Summer Institutes.
Congratulations to them for all of their accomplishments…and thank you to organizations like Project GRAD for encouraging them to be their best.
