K is for Kids’ top teen leaders from four area high schools met with directors at the annual Top Leaders Meeting this week to propose upcoming charity projects and fun’raisers.
The students form a leadership council each year known as DOSA, or Directorate of Student Agenda. DOSA governs the mission and activities of all high school volunteers for the foundation.
Rose Gelin (shown below at left) was the newest member to join representing Lorenzo Walker Technical High School. Also in attendance at K is for Kids’ top leaders meeting were Nedgie Paul, the senior member of the teen board from Palmetto Ridge High School (shown at center); Tyler Schult (left) and Hadrien Roy (right), both from Barron Collier High School; and Cameryn Anthony, a junior at Gulf Coast High School (at right).
ITZ’ colorful production studio – surrounded by Hollywood memorabilia and boasting the area’s largest green screen – was the perfect backdrop for getting creative juices flowing and discussions lively.
DOSA’s high school seniors and juniors present were (l-r) above were: Rose Gelin, the newest member to the teen board from Lorenzo Walker Technical High; Tyler Schult from Barron Collier High, Nedgie Paul from Palmetto Ridge High, Hadrien Roy from Barron Collier High, and Cameryn Anthony from Gulf Coast High. Not attending were Sandra Lovos from Palmetto Ridge High and Krisha Mac, from Lorenzo Technical High.
Each teen chose to speak about a different charity fun’raiser or program to be organized by the teens. Activities are called fun’raisers because while the teens have fun volunteering with their friends, they are creating fun for the students who will participate or benefit from the program or proceeds.
Nedgie Paul introduces teen leaders serving on DOSA 2014-15 to board members at ITZ Media. Nedgie is the senior member of the team, serving her second year on the student leadership council.
L-R: Hadrien Roy and Tyler Schult, both senior students at Barron Collier High School. K is for Kids’ student leaders 2013-14 were nominated for the “Outstanding Philanthropic Youth” Award 2013, sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Everglades Chapter. Picture in the slide are Nicholas Nolan, Barron Collier High, Mario Chang and Patrick Clawson Jr., both graduates of Gulf Coast High, and Nedgie Paul, Palmetto Ridge High whose shadow can be seen as she looks up at her photo.
This year the students have added two new contests for children and teens to help launch the school year and encourage kids to read and lead more. Click on the link here to read more about the teens’ philanthropic projects: https://kisforkids.org/news/k-is-for-kids-kicks-off-funraising-season-with-new-student-leaders-and-new-charity-events/
Hadrian presents the mission and goals of Operation: Outreach, the student initiative launched by DOSA in 2013-14 that offers a “Ladder for Leaders” program to other students.
Tyler Schult showcases two new charity projects for K is for Kids being proposed to kick off the school year to encourage both children and teens to read and lead more.
Cameryn Anthony, center, a junior student at Gulf Coast High School who is the youngest leader serving on DOSA, reviewed milestones hit by the sixth annual “Kids Celebrate Reading” Book Fair held in February 2014.
Nedgie Paul discusses this year’s Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Award for Collier County students. Last year Nicholas Nolan won the inaugural award. Nick is shown above being congratulated by Craig Bouchard, a New York Times bestselling author, international entrepreneur and author of the “Adventures of Ai” video game and children’s ebook. The runner-up in the young entrepreneur competition was Abby Tierney, pictured at bottom right on the screen with fellow photographer Otto Caffrey. All students graduated last year from Barron Collier High School.
Directors present were (l-r) Chuck Ardezzone, ITZ Media Proprietor; Karen D. Clawson, Executive Director; Pat Clawson, retired CEO of Lumension Inc.; and Vin Izzi, President of Izzi Business Consulting. Jeff Buschmann, Partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings joined in the directors meeting via telephone. Not present: Gregory Smalley, Partner at Merit Healthcare Consulting Inc.
After their PowerPoint presentation, Vin Izzi asked the students why each felt it important to volunteer for K is for Kids.
Visit again to read what the students’ had to say.
Also attending today’s meeting was Beth Crafts, an education and public relations advisor to K is for Kids’ student leaders and interns.