Our Troops

why it's important:

I know that I am guilty at times of not realizing the cost that thousands of soldiers have made so that I am able to attend school and have the freedom and liberties that we have today in the United States of America. My classmates and I would benefit from adopting a veterans grave site. We would have a personal connection that would give us a better understanding of what sacrifices these veterans and there families have made for us.

the plan of action:

During the four years that we attend high school it would be our responsibility to care for the soldier’s final resting place. We would make sure that it is properly maintained and that an American flag be present at all times, it would also be our responsibility to place flowers for Veteran’s day as well as Memorial Day. Each student would also have to research there soldier’s background and if possible contact the soldiers family. In doing this it would help us to have a more personal connection with our soldier. I believe that with this program we would not only be showing our gratitude for their service and sacrifice that they made for us, we may also trace their steps in American history.

how you can get involved:

Others can help by starting the same type of program in their high schools. My high school has 2000 students, all it takes is one student in every school to make a difference. Step up and say Thank You to our hereo's, we need to keep there memory alive!

why it's important:

It is important to me because I've seen several students turn to gangs and drop out of school. So many young ones are underprivileged and forced into negative lifestyles. I take any and all students who want to participate as well as students who are referred by teachers, parents and/or guardians. Typically those students have trouble at home or in school, and I use a one on one tactic to find out what there interests are so I can determine rewards for improvement. A lot of the students I've worked with were caught up in gang life/selling drugs, failing school and not participating in any after school programs because there weren't any offered at their schools. I thought that was one of the main reasons why students were turning to gangs, so I started by mentoring a few boys and they all got out of the gang life and became more focused on school, sports, arts and music. I think students just need the knowledge and opportunities to express there interests and talents to reach their potentials, succeed in high school and beyond.

Obesity is another issue that I have helped students battle. Teaching them how to eat healthier and giving them a work out plan that you motivate them through can do wonders. However, motivation is key and varies from student to student. It might be a work out plan playing basketball, wii fit, skate boarding, hiking or basic lifting/cardio etc. You just have to take the time to figure out what works best for each individual.

the plan of action:

Provide mentoring and after school programs such as Leadership, Music, Sports, Art, Tutoring, Guidance etc. Inspiration Mentoring

Mission Statement: Our goal is to assist students in reaching their fullest potential by offering them one on one mentoring and tutoring as well as several leadership and extracurricular enrichment opportunities they wouldn’t experience otherwise. We focus on students individual interests and reward them when they reach certain goals. Many of our students suffer from broken homes, gangs, obesity, poverty etc. We provide them with the knowledge and resources necessary to overcome these obstacles.

Every student is different, so every approach is different. We develop a, “Success Plan” for every student which includes goals with step by step, day by day, week by week and month by month objectives, so we can measure effectiveness and improvement. No one is turned down and we have a 100% success rate since we’ve started. Students have dropped out of gangs, improved academics and found passion for activities such as music, art, photography, outdoor education, sports, debate etc.

It is our belief that all students have a passion for something and want to learn, it is just a matter of finding out what that passion is and how to motivate each individual. If you can reward a student with an opportunity they’ve never experienced or dreamed of they will do anything to succeed. I have brought students to professional recording studios, vocal lessons, acting auditions/classes, movie sets, mountains for skiing/snowboarding/tubing, youth recognition ceremonies to receive awards I nominated them for, ribbon cutting ceremonies to meet the mayor, community service events and many other places/events all for the first time to show them I care about there individual interests and to earn their respect.

I base every “Success Plan” on a rewards system that students must earn to motivate them to reach their goals. I combat the lack of role models, broken homes, obesity and gang life on a daily basis. However, it’s these situations that keep me passionate and motivated to help. Some people go to third world countries to help better peoples lives, but I have found that are several people in my own community that suffer from some of the hardships. I believe it is my calling to do whatever I can to help and I will stop at nothing to succeed.

I would like to expand across the entire district and eventually state and country. I have a big vision for Inspiration Mentoring and want it to improve the nations education, obesity rate, crime rate and drop out rate. It will start off small in every school and build every year until every school in the area has a program.

how you can get involved:

Others can help by volunteering, mentoring, facilitating, advertising/spreading the word, donating etc.

why it's important:

To support the local soldiers that need necessities which otherwise cannot be provided in the line of duty.

the plan of action:

Assemble care packages, make cards, send non-perishable items.

how you can get involved:

Attend meetings, make cards, donate items.

why it's important:

This is important to me because I believe that the men and women who served our country in World War I and every war that followed are true heroes and deserve to be remembered and respected by all.

the plan of action:

My plan of action was to get the community involved in taking a forgotten, small World War I memorial and putting flowers and a bench around it, so people driving by on the street know that it is there and think about the service that veterans have done for all of us living in America.

how you can get involved:

My physical project is completed, but others can help by spreading the word about taking time to remember and think about our veterans, and to thank them if there is a local VFW in their area.