Today is the day we channel all the students' energy into issues and projects for which they have passion. It is nothing less than miraculous to watch college students accept the idea that with their privilege of going to college comes great responsibility. They spent the day thinking and talking about matters of heart. Late in the afternoon we asked the students to imagine their visions realized and to develop newspaper headlines announcing their accomplishments. It is my favorite part of the week, because it fills me with hope about the future and reminds me why I love working with young(er) people.
I wish you could be here with me. I wish you could walk the Vision Showcase and feel the energy filling the room. There is a low hum of students and leadership coaches exchanging feedback. Some are helping their peers refine their visions. Some are sharing resources. But ALL are fully engaged and committed to the process.
I thought if I couldn't bring you to Leadershape then perhaps I could bring a bit of Leadershape to you. So... below are a small sample of the student's visions.
Something for you to think about while viewing them. ...I shared a quote with the students from a book titled, The Alchemist. It states, "And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." We are part of the universe that can conspire to help bring these students' visions to reality. So, if you have an idea, insight, resource, or contact that can advance any of these visions, let us know. I will be sure to pass the information along. And... we will be going a long way in doing our part to improve the world.
HITTING THE NEXT LEVEL WITH WEARABLE ART
Fashion designer takes her designs to the next level with pieces that aim to shine light on current issues facing the community.
TAKE LIFE ONE ACT AT A TIME
Actors bring awareness through mind-opening performances all around the world
to set audiences free.
FIRST PLACE FINISH
Student-led efforts help crew team become fully funded varsity
sport at St. Edward's University.
BACK IN SCHOOL
Student establishes day care system to provide affordable child care
for young mothers in pursuit of higher education.
SHOOTING CREATIVITY ONE PICTURE AT A TIME
Student creates organization to show the benefits of photography and its ability to provide a new lens on the world through individual creativity.
SHARING OF ART
Young entrepreneur starts Annual Art Festival to allow all kinds of
young artists to show their work and be recognized.
EXPRESS YOURSELF
College student finds breakthrough way
to help kids find themselves through the arts.
Student-led efforts help crew team become fully funded varsity
sport at St. Edward's University.
BACK IN SCHOOL
Student establishes day care system to provide affordable child care
for young mothers in pursuit of higher education.
SHOOTING CREATIVITY ONE PICTURE AT A TIME
Student creates organization to show the benefits of photography and its ability to provide a new lens on the world through individual creativity.
SHARING OF ART
Young entrepreneur starts Annual Art Festival to allow all kinds of
young artists to show their work and be recognized.
EXPRESS YOURSELF
College student finds breakthrough way
to help kids find themselves through the arts.
CREATING COMMUNITY ONE IDEA AT A TIME
(That's me! I figured I throw one in for good measure)
Entrepreneur and educator finds new ways to insert creativity
into communities around the world
(That's me! I figured I throw one in for good measure)
Entrepreneur and educator finds new ways to insert creativity
into communities around the world
Posts
15 comments:
I posted today's blog and then noticed we had some new comers post comments yesterday and even the day before. Welcome Brian, Mike K. and Nancy - some of our new posters! I left a comment to you, Brian.
I'm looking forward to the comments that today brings.
what if you have a 15 year old that is very military minded? in todays world it is a very scary thing and at this point i have tried everyting to change his mind. my next move is to take him on an inside tour of the mma in kings point, LI. maybe and hopefully this will give him a better insight of military life as it can be. on the other hand i have a 17 year old that is very hands on. anything that he touches turns to gold. He is looking into police science to become a police sketch artist.
I think this fits todays topic...has anyone else been following the story of Randy Pausch? He's the professor at Carnegie Melon that has pancreatic cancer. I have been so completely drawn to him since his story broke. I watched the Dateline special, I watched the Last Lecture on the internet and I bought his book that I both cried and laughed through.
One of the topics he covers is about the "brick walls" that you run into when you want something. In short, the brick walls are not there to keep you out but to test you on how badly you want something. I think he has a very good point. Dig under it, crawl over it, find a way around it or crash right through the middle of it- if you want it badly enough you'll find a way. Be persistant. Ask for help. Be passionate about your dreams.
If you're interested in watching The Last Lecture, go to www.randypausch.com and it's about half way down.
Layne-
I have a co-worker who was in a similar situation. I think her sons views on things are different now that he will be serving in Iraq for 18 months. He loves workig on helicopters, but when you speak with him he is quite candid in discussing the lack of support and sometimes negative feelings he feels towards his line of service and the government. I think for him he feels as if the U.S. uses him, but does not necessarily have his best interests at heart.
Perhaps you could find various individuals serving our country and allow your 15 y/o to meet with them and ask questions. The thing I love about career exploration and finding ones passion is the process and how much reflection and discovery of ones self it involves.
As I was looking at todays post I thought it was really cool. I also thought how we each do this in our own lives even if we do not fully realize it. I wonder what each of us would put for our headlines?
I love the visions of the next generation....it makes me feel certain that the world will be okay.
Layne, I'm not sure what to tell you about your 15 year old other than the more you tell him not to the more he will want to AND the good news is he has 3 years to change his mind before he can do anything about it (and the one thing I've learned from working with college students is their minds change constantly about what they want to do).
Layne, I live 3 miles away and have to go on the internet to find this out ...... Knowing Christopher you won't change his mind but on news 12 yesterday was a mom and dad mortified because their son must have mistakenly dialed his cell phone while he was under fire and had no bullets left..... go to channel 612 and let him hear the call. Its bone chilling. I know a lot of military people and I must say its like being a priest its a certain calling. I just don't like that the recruiting officers promise the world to get the signature. I have will hook you up with some numbers and they will take Christopher to see what's involved. If all else fails tell him I'm coming over and that will change his mind.
On the other hand I am thankful that someone out there is defending my country and keeping me safe and free... It isn't for everyone but I have a cousin that just retired from the Army and he was enlisted and kept re-enlisting for 25 years.. He said it was a wonderful life... but he never had a family because he felt it is a recipe for disaster.. I am just thankful that my son isn't going that route.
For all of you service men and women or parents and family of service people...... THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!<3
When I saw the "Back In School" it reminded me of something. My daughter Krysten (15) received her Girl Scout Silver Award last year. She had a lot of volunteer hours that she had to do. One of the things she did was after completing a course to become certified in babysitting and first aid/CPR she decided to do volunteer babysitting for parents that needed help. She would watch kids while we had a "leaders meeting" or "PTA meeting". This gave the parents "no excuse" not to be a part of the community or to miss a community meeting. Parents loved the idea... besides it was free. Krysten however learned a great lesson..... she doesn't want kids anytime soon (ha ha) and it take everyones input to run a successful community. If you call Girl Scouts they have lists of girls that need or want to do volunteering... Im sure they can help young moms in need of services.
After all their motto is "Making The World A Better Place".
Cheryl: My mom was also diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer like Randy Pausch and his story is amazing. We've had to also be very persistant with trying to get her the appropriate care. I live in CA but have just returned to TX since her condition has gotten worst, but we are still fighting it.
Leadershape is really neat:
-HITTING THE NEXT LEVEL WITH WEARABLE ART
Fashion designer takes her designs to the next level with pieces that aim to shine light on current issues facing the community.
- I've seen some exhibits sponsored by college campuses about this very matter...one topic was recycling - UNT has a gallery in the student union where they recently had an exhibit by students.
BACK IN SCHOOL
Student establishes day care system to provide affordable child care
for young mothers in pursuit of higher education.
-- I've worked at a couple of institutions where through Associated Student Fees have established Child Development Centers for their students for reduced price, here is an example: http://as.sjsu.edu/ascdc/index.jsp
SHOOTING CREATIVITY ONE PICTURE AT A TIME
Student creates organization to show the benefits of photography and its ability to provide a new lens on the world through individual creativity.
-- At SJSU the global studies program and the Alumni Association sponsors an annual photo contest where students, staff, faculty or alumni can enter a picture that they've taken in the past year on their travels outside of the country.
CREATING COMMUNITY ONE IDEA AT A TIME
(That's me! I figured I throw one in for good measure)
Entrepreneur and educator finds new ways to insert creativity
into communities around the world
-- Claudia, you are awesome at this!
Claudia, with my schedule I don't really get to get involved with helping the community. I do however feel that Maureen does it for both of us.. I wanted to tell you that our company is going to make a donation to The Leadershape Institute online. Its a joint effort... she checked it out and I am paying (ha ha)...... they say it goes to scholarships and I am all for "helping". I wish you luck in all you do.....
So much to say and so little time! Thank you a thousand times over for your commitment to this blog and for involving yourself in the ideas I put forth. We have become a community and it is an AMAZING example of the good communities can accomplish when we come together. I continue to be in awe.
Quynh. I am sorry to hear about your mother and would love to catch up sometime next week. I return on Saturday afternoon. I will give a call.
Maureen and Chris... you are such remarkable people. You have virtually no affiliation with this group and didn't even know what it was until a couple of days ago. Yet... you have done the personal work (checking the organization out on-line) to become informed and then made a contribution. I cannot tell you how much that means to me and, I know, to the Leadershape organization! I have a tremendous amount of respect for the two of you. I know you know, it is money well spent. Much of our future resides in the energy and good will of this college-aged generation. Maybe Michael will be at this Institute one day!
Everyone... I will share your thoughtful contributions and feedback with the students during today's evening session. Please keep them coming. They are young people with hope and energy. Their ideas can only be improved by the perspectives, network, and experiences of those with a little more life experience. Keep it coming.
Oops!!!!! That wasn't Brian posting the last comment. It was me on Brian's computer. Sorry.
Claudia
For the students trying to use acting/the arts to make change, I'd refer them to any books by Paolo Freire. He's the theatre-for-social-change guru. Another biggie to research is Augusto Boal. I personally didn't come across these names until I was in grad school, but it's fascinating stuff and really opens your mind to how powerful the arts can be.
Wish I could be there with you to experience Leadershape! Sounds like a story circle could go a long way in that environment... have you thought about leading one with the students, Claudia?
Layne, all I can say is that I grew up with my mom and stepdad being career military folks, and they both begged my younger brother not to join because it has changed so much from when they joined and they didn't want him going to war. His compromise was to join the Air Force Reserves... if he gets called to active duty, he definitely won't be on the front lines, but will instead be working in Germany or someplace serving in a more behind-the-scenes support capacity for those in the trenches. He's really proud to be part of the military, and we're all relieved not to have to worry about him being killed in action. That said, I'm so thankful that there are so many men and women who are willing to risk their lives on foreign soil to protect the rest of us (even if I'm not convinced that's what's actually happening in this particular war). It takes a special kind of person to make that sort of commitment and take the risk. But there ARE alternatives within the military that don't carry such tremendous risk, but still allow people to do really important work, so I'd encourage him to think about some tough questions and really do his research if he truly wants to go that route. And like Heather said, he has three years to think it over, and he's quite likely to change his mind if he's like every other teenager on the planet.
I would like to be a resource for this concept. As a fellow LeaderShaper and faculty at St. Ed's I think at can facilitate some of the interactions that will push this vision along.
BTW, you ended up inspiring me to start my own blog. Thanks, Claudia.
Dear Claudia,
Where is our journal? I am reading this blog and thinking...I think it should be coming my way. The Arizona sunshine is waiting and so am I. Good job on your blog!
Dawn.... my ultimate accountability partner. Yes, the journal is on my list of things to feature and then to send off. Maybe it will be Monday's idea and then off it will go... Arizona Bound.
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