“Kids demonstrate their unique voices through Power of Pen - Times Reporter” plus 1 more |
| Kids demonstrate their unique voices through Power of Pen - Times Reporter Posted: 07 Feb 2011 10:22 AM PST There are days when I don't recognize the sound of my own voice, days when I think I must be hearing the words of a previous generation when I let out a big sigh, drop my helpless hands into my lap and say something like, "These kids today, they make me worry for the future of this country." The discouragement comes when I am face to face with an aimless kid or a gum-popping, slack-jawed adolescent with no apparent thought beyond what shoes he might be wearing or what music she might be downloading. Fortunately, I have realized I need not worry. These kids today, they're just fine. Ohio schools participate in a statewide program called Power of the Pen, an extracurricular activity that encourages seventh- and eighth-grade students to think creatively through writing competitions. Recently, I was asked to be a judge in a local Power of the Pen event, and what I discovered at this event has calmed my fears. During the all-day competition, students are given prompts, phrases such as "The Door" or "The New (fill in the blank)"; and they are given 40 minutes to write a related story or essay. They participate in three rounds, and all of the stories are gathered and read and sorted for quality of writing and creative thought. At the end of the day, the winners are given awards, and they advance to the next level of competition. As part of a team of judges, I sat in an adult-sized chair hunched over a youth-sized table for several hours and read and read and read. Having never been a judge for this event before, I didn't know what to expect from these stories, and to be honest, I didn't expect much going in. But let me tell you, these kids who take knocks for seeming oblivious to their surroundings or ignorant of history or completely without work ethic think deep thoughts and are fully aware. When they are given just 40 minutes to formulate a story with characters and circumstances, they expose their fears, reveal well-developed senses of humor and write from their hearts. During my single day of judging, I read stories about suicide prevention, surviving domestic abuse, recovering from divorce and developing self-confidence in an environment where superficial popularity is valued. Students wrote about children facing life after the death of parents and about a first kiss. They dreamed up fantastical tales of the world after apocalyptic destruction, and they told jokes about St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. They proved they understand historical settings and futuristic settings and sorrow and humor time and time again, and they wrote with very little cliché or insincerity. Each time educators and legislators sit down to evaluate the state of our educational system, someone asks if we are teaching our students to think creatively, to think beyond the tests that supposedly gauge their aptitude for any given subject. Do we teach them merely to memorize and repeat facts, or do we teach them to be problem solvers and innovators? Power of the Pen is one answer to that question – through the program, Ohio students are demonstrating they can think beyond tests and can express themselves effectively. Unfortunately, the program is extracurricular and not part of an integrated study program, and only a fraction of our pre-teen students are participating (nearly 8,000 will compete this year). But the results reveal our students are capable of great things. The mission statement of the program reads, "Because the ideas, dreams and beliefs of today's youth form the foundation of tomorrow's communities in Ohio, Power of the Pen is dedicated to helping young people find and develop a creative voice that is uniquely their own." Although its tagline is "Interscholastic Competition for Young Writers," the program is really for all students regardless of their field of interest. Whether a person becomes a scientist, a business executive or a mechanic, creative thinking and communication skills are essentials to success. Despite my occasional doubts, I'm relieved to know these kids today, these budding leaders of tomorrow's communities, show promise. They are developing a unique voice, and for that reason, I am less worried for the future of our country. In fact, I'm hopeful. Robyn Martins of Dover is a frequent contributor to The Times-Reporter. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Bowl for Kids event scheduled Feb. 19 - Watertown Daily Times Posted: 07 Feb 2011 10:29 AM PST Bowl for Kids event scheduled Feb. 19
"Bowl for Kids Sake" bowlers and sponsors are people that want to give back to the children right here in the community. Anyone and everyone can get involved as a bowler, a lane sponsor or by giving a donation The event still has five open lanes. Lane sponsor are also needed. Lane sponsorships are anywhere from $100 to $500. Lane sponsors receive name recognition in the Watertown Daily Times and a banner at Watertown Bowl North. The cost is $10 per bowler, which includes shoes. Bowlers need to collect $50 or more in pledge money or make a donation of $50. The bowling fee and pledge money is separate. All bowlers will need to have a minimum of $60 to bowl. Bowlers will play three games of 9-pin tap. Colored head pin prizes will be awarded. There are many incentives for bowlers to collect pledge money. Pledge money is where the majority of the money for the event is collected. For those bowlers that collect a $150 or more in pledge money they will not have to pay the $10 entry fee. For every bowler who collects $100 (this is per person) or more in pledge money their name will be entered in a drawing for a free pizza and pitcher of beer/soda. Children in the organization are decorating "Bowling Pins" for the top individual and team pledge collectors. There will also be a Team Spirit Award. Random items will also be given out for those bowlers collecting more than $125. Bowlers have many chances to win extra prizes. The pledge money is due on the day of the event. There will be random raffles and auctions during the event. Some items included in raffles and auctions are gift certificates for area restaurants, gas cards, Dells attractions and much more. Raffles and auctions are open to the public. If a person isn't a bowler but would like to support the organization or get a chance at some great prizes please come and join us. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a mentoring program for children. Big Brothers Big Sister offers two programs for children in Dodge County & Watertown Community. The community based program and the school based program called, Partners at Lunch. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit organization sponsored by the United Way. It's not about bowling with kids but for kids. For more information call Betsy Bright at Big Brothers Big Sisters 920-261-231 or e-mail bbbsdodge@gmail.com. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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