| Stories of Change
Stories of change is the newsletter for Monroe Youth Challenge Program. Here you can
view our latest newsletter.
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Join the Celebration Thursday, May 6 - Sombrero
Country Club |
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Who knows where the hundreds
of youth affiliated with MYCP will
unfold their gifts to the world.
Don't miss the opportunity to
celebrate their accomplishments with
supporters, students and local
dignitaries.
Thursday, May 6 at 6 p.m.
Sombrero Country Club, Marathon
$15 for adults, $10 for kids
Donations accepted to underwrite
youth in need.
R.S.V.P Sunny Booker (305) 810-9375
or
Sunny.Booker@keysschools.com
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Class of 2014 Bonds at 8TPs
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Future Freshmen Break Through Barriers
 "I'm
going to nail mine on the wall in my room as a
reminder to know I can do something," said Jesse
Wallingk after he broke a board in front of 200
of his peers at 8TP, the eighth grade transition
program. He's an incoming freshman from Key
Largo School who wants to serve in the U.S.
Marines.
April 21, Coral Shores High School hosted
8th-Grade students from Key Largo School,
Plantation Key School, Treasure Village
Montessori, and home education. Another 60 upper
classmen served as youth leaders.
In Key West April 20, the Key West Marriott
Beachside Hotel graciously hosted the 8TP at no
cost for more than 360 incoming freshman and
more than 60 Key West High School upper
classmen. Students in the class of 2014 are to
merge from Mary Immaculate School, Sugarloaf
Elementary, and Horace O'Bryant Middle School.
The freshman class of 2014 was challenged to
focus on their goals and drive through the
barriers to be the person they want to be and do
what they dream of in school and life.
Lauren Parra, a junior at Key West High School
who helped facilitate, noticed the transition of
students from many schools into one future class
of freshmen. "In the beginning they looked at us
like we were crazy but at the end they were
ready to dance with us," she said.
These 8TPs were sponsored by MYCP and have shown
to reduce school violence, fighting, and
bullying.
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Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchu Tum Inspires
MYCP Youth |
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 Monroe
Youth Challenge Program, who facilitates small
student PeaceJam groups throughout the Florida
Keys, took six adults and 47 students to the
PeaceJam Southest Conference March 20-21 hosted
on the campus of Florida State University.
After weeks of preparation on the 10 issues of
global peace, each region in the Keys organized
a community project and presented it at the
conference in Tallahassee.
Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchu Tum of Guatemala
worked with students directly throughout the
conference. In honor of Menchu Tum's work, the
theme of the conference was "Ending Racism and
Hate.''
In addition to learning sessions, youth
participated in a peace march and closing
ceremony where Menchu Tum lit a candle with each
student as they shared a poem or personal
reflection from the conference.
Coral Shores Junior Devante Mills said, "The
trip meant so much to me. I got to meet people
from all over the state who share the same
vision I do for peace."
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Marlene Morato 'Unsung Hero'
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 At
the annual Community Foundation of the Florida
Keys luncheon, Marlene Cruz Morato was presented
the Unsung Hero Award for her valiant volunteer
efforts on behalf of Monroe Youth Challenge
Program. Professionally, Marlene is president of
Cruz Morato and Associates Certified Public
Accountants and Consultants with offices in
Marathon and Big Pine. Equally as trustworthy
and reliable, she has served the youth of MYCP
with passion on the Monroe County Education
Foundation Board and as a local supporter for
Marathon High School. Her contributions are
gratefully noticed. Marlene, you are truly a
hero to MYCP!
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Step on Hunger Restocks Food Pantry
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Inaugural Event Raises Applause and
Canned Goods
Marathon High School Students stepped on
hunger in a rigorous performance Feb.
17. Entry cost a can of food. KAIR, who
hosts the food pantry in Marathon
received more than 300 cans of food to
help restock their shelves for the
hungry. The turnout thrilled the
performers who have committed to STEP at
athletic events to promote peace. They
are also available by request at other
local events. Contact Sunny Booker at
(305) 293-1400 ext. 53319.
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Soup-A-Bowl Dinner Fest Supplies Community
Kitchen
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... and inspires fellow students!
The Monroe Youth Challenge Program PeaceJam
Youth Board raised more than $1,300 at the
"Soup-A-Bowl" Dinner Fest Saturday, March 6 at
the Island Christian School Family Life Center
in Islamorada. Dinner was served in bowls and
plates made or painted by students which were
also sold. All funds collected went to the local
food pantry and soup kitchen run by the
Islamorada Baptist Church. Key West members of
the MYCP PeaceJam Youth Board were so inspired
they plan to host their own Soup-a-Bowl in late
May.
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Where are they now?
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Lindsay Morris, in Memorial
We would like to honor a special young woman who
lost her life April 12 after a two-year battle
with cancer.
Lindsay Morris graduated from Coral Shores High
School in 2008. She was active with MYCP in
leadership roles including Challenge Day.
This picture was taken at CSHS. It exemplifies
the Lindsay we loved - joyful, prepared and
ready for the occasion.
Donations are being accepted to cover her
funeral arrangements and medical expenses. To
contribute, contact Nola Acker at First State
Bank in Key Largo (305) 852-2070 regarding the
account "Lindsay Morris Benefit."
Fellow students created a website memorializing
her on Facebook as "Lindsay Morris will be
Forever Young ♥ ♥ ♥"
Our heartfelt condolences go out to her mother,
family and friends.
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Be The Change Sponsor Spotlight:
Upper Keys Rotary
This edition gives MYCP the
priviledge to honor The Upper Keys
Rotary Club for their kindness,
generosity and continued support of
youth. Of special note is their
inclusion of high school students at
their annual Gigantic Nautical Flea
Market in February and for supporting
the Soup a Bowl in March. This gave
students exposure to Rotary members who
may be interviewing them in the near
future for scholarships. It also allowed
the students an opportunity earn their
community service hours and develop
leadersship skills.
Members of Upper Keys Rotary,
thank you for Being the
Change!
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