Awards rolled out recently for 17 students representing six of eight Collier County public high schools at a reception celebrating a record-breaking year of giving for K is for Kids.
Held at the Naples Hilton on May 31st, the reception was hosted by the foundation’s senior board. Founder and executive director Karen Clawson handed out the awards as proud families and friends applauded loudly. Patrick (Pat) Clawson and Vincent (Vin) Izzi, both members of the foundation’s board of directors, and K is for Kids’ senior member of its College Student Advisory Council, Erin Clawson, also participated. Six students were unable to attend the recognition ceremony, but would receive their awards individually.
“Our student leaders powered through
another record breaking year,”
said Karen,
“so it’s a pleasure to be able to recognize
all their hard work and
thank them for their contributions.”
(See a recap of the event here: https://kisforkids.org/news/scholarship-winners-named-student-leaders-recognized-at-k-is-for-kids-reception/.)
SCHOLARSHIPS, INTERNSHIPS AND MORE
The afternoon’s awards began with the surprise announcement that two new scholarships had been created in honor of the founder’s two children, Erin and Patrick, both of whom had served as the first student leaders for the foundation and played a critical role in the launch of its grassroots cause in 2008. The scholarships would honor two student leaders who had been indispensable to the teen-led organization’s success and community outreach that year.
Nedgie Paul
Nedgie Paul, the senior student leader and spokesperson for K is for Kids, was awarded the inaugural Erin Clawson Victory Scholarship of $1,000. Erin, now a rising senior at Missouri University of Science and Technology, presented the award.
A recent graduate of Palmetto Ridge High School, Nedgie’s list of accomplishments for the foundation stretched long: She served on DOSA, the Directorate of Student Agenda (K is for Kids’ highest student council), for two full years during her junior and senior years of high school. She served in a a full internship focusing on business administration and communication, with a minor in social media. Like all DOSA members, Nedgie was a co-chair for the students leaders’ signature event, the annual K is for Kids’ Teen Fashion Show. The co-chairs manage all aspects of the countywide community project. This year the event set new milestones, with more than 120 students from 27 schools and universities participating in its success. Read more here:
Nedgie Paul, the Graduate of Distinction from Palmetto Ridge High School and senior student leader and spokesperson for K is for Kids, received several awards at the foundation’s Top Leaders Reception on May 31st. Here she is shown with a certificate of achievement for her outstanding contributions in making organizations seventh year a record-setting year of giving. Shown left to right are Pat Clawson, K is for Kids director; Nedgie; Karen Clawson, founder & executive director; and Vin Izzi, director. Photo by Ann Alvarez, of Gulf Coast High School.
As the top “young executive” for K is for Kids, Nedgie had traveled earlier in the school year to New York City with founder Karen Clawson to talk to television show producers, magazine editors, and radio talk show hosts about how teens are taking the lead to help kids succeed in Collier County. She had her first two radio interviews on behalf of the foundation and also her first LIVE TV interview on Bonnie Graham’s talk show in New York “Something to Talk About: Teen Leaders Changing Their Community” via Skype. (Click here to read more – https://kisforkids.org/news/live-from-ny-something-to-talk-about-with-bonnie-graham-starring-our-own-12th-grader-nedgie-paul/)
Nedgie was the Graduate of Distinction at Palmetto Ridge High, Class of 2015. She will be attending Florida State University in the fall.
Nedgie rises to receive her first award of the day. Photo by Ann Alvarez, Gulf Coast High.
Nedgie pauses between awards. Photo by Ann Alvarez, a Gulf Coast High School student.
Hadrien Roy
Hadrien Roy was honored as the inaugural recipient of the second newly created K is for Kids scholarship recognizing students indispensable to its success, the Patrick Clawson Jr. Vision Scholarship. (Patrick was out-of-town and unable to present the award, so the senior Clawson stood in on behalf of his namesake.)
A recent graduate of Barron Collier High School, Hadrien was amongst the top student leaders serving on DOSA. Hadrien also was the founder of Barron Collier’s Operation:Outreach club and served as its president. Like his DOSA counterparts, Hadrien was also co-chair for the 4th Annual K is for Kids Teen Fashion Show.
During his senior year, Hadrien also served a full internship in business administration and community with the foundation while taking six advanced placement courses and serving as the president of another youth organization.
Hadrien Roy, recent graduate of Barron Collier High School, shows the first two awards he received at K is for Kids’ Top Leader Reception on May 31st. Hadrien also won the Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition, or Y.E.S. Comp. with classmate Tyler Schult. Photo by Ann Alvarez, a student at Gulf Coast High School.
Hadrien was named K is for Kids’ Young Entrepreneur 2015 along with Tyler Schult. The due competed and won the foundation’s 2nd Annual Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition, or Y.E.S. Comp. at the event. Read more by clicking here: https://kisforkids.org/news/k-is-for-kids-2nd-annual-y-e-s-competition-won-by-senior-duo-from-barron-collier-high-school/
Hadrien was also on the winning team that won the business plan competition sponsored by the Collier County school district at the end of the school year.
Hadrien will be attending the University of Florida beginning this summer.
Cameryn Anthony
Cameryn Anthony, a rising senior at Gulf Coast High School, served as the youngest member of DOSA. She was also the President-Elect of Operation:Outreach at her high school. Cameryn served as co-chair for the Teen Fashion Show and for the holiday book giveaway for children at the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County given by students of Operation:Outreach (see below).
Cameryn served in a internship with K is for Kids in focusing on business management, event planning and social media marketing.
Cameryn Anthony, junior student at Gulf Coast H.S. and DOSA member is awarded and recognized for contributing to teen organization. Photo by Ann Alvarez, a Gulf Coast High School student.
Her favorite event, besides the teen fashion show, this year was the annual holiday book giveaway for youngsters for the children of the Boys & Girls Club. Members of Operation:Outreach, or O2, from area high schools participated in the event. “Some kids don’t even own one book at home and also can barely read,” Anthony said. “I feel like a great person when I read to kids because I like giving back to the community, and reading to this wonderful group of kids is an awesome way to do that.” Anthony remembers being a Kindergartener at Seagate Elementary School and said she still goes back to that classroom at least twice a year to visit her teacher and read to the children.
(Click here to read more – https://kisforkids.org/news/operationoutreach-students-from-local-high-schools-visit-children-of-the-boys-girls-club-for-special-storytime-and-book-giveaways/)
Tyler Schult
Tyler Schult, another recent graduate of Barron Collier High School, was a member of the DOSA board, co-chair and intern for the 4th Annual K is for Kids Teen Fashion Show, and was named “Young Entrepreneur” 2015 in his winning proposal and presentation for the Y.E.S. Comp. with Hadrien. Tyler also served an internship with the foundation. He will be attending High Point University in North Carolina.
Student leader and Y.E.S. Comp. 2015 winner, receives his award. Photo by Ann Alvarez, a Gulf Coast High School student.
Nicole Graney
Nicole Graney, a recent graduate of Barron Collier High School, began donating her time and talents to K is for Kids by modeling in the 3rd annual teen fashion show.
Adept in digital design, she applied her creative digital design skills too by creating print materials for the show and foundation.
This year, Nicole served an internship with K is for Kids in community relations, becoming a student ambassador visiting business partners and serving as the Chair of Reception at the 4th Annual From the Heart Teen Fashion Show. Her role included overseeing ticket sales, the silent auction, and refreshments for guests and participants.
Nicole Graney, graduate of Barron Collier High School, receives her award. Karen Clawson, founder & executive director of K is for Kids. Photo by Ann Alvarez, a Gulf Coast High School student.
Nicole is headed to the University of Florida and is majoring in Public Relations.
Gabriella Manuszak
Gabriella Manuszak, a rising senior at Barron Collier High School, initially contributed her time and skills to K is for Kids by volunteering as a model in the 3rd annual teen fashion show in 2014.
This year, Gabriella engaged in various leadership roles, giving her the opportunity to begin an internship for K is for Kids in community relations. She became a student spokesperson and also served as a business partner liaison for the foundation.
Gabriella Manuszak, junior at Barron Collier H.S. and business partner liaison for K is for Kids is handed award. Photo by Ann Alvarez, student at Gulf Coast High School.
Gabriella was the emcee for the Teen Fashion Show 2015. She will be the senior member of DOSA in 2015-16!
Daylin Baez
Daylin Baez, a junior student at Lorenzo Walker Technical High School and multimedia student of the Walker Institute of Technology, was K is for Kids’ youngest intern this year in videography. Daylin also served as the lead videographer for the 4th Annual K is for Kids Teen Fashion Show.
Third place winner of Y.E.S. Comp, Daylin Baez, along with mother. Photo by Ann Alvarez, a Gulf Coast High School student.
Daylin also won third place for the 2nd annual K is for Kids Y.E.S. Comp with her filmmaking business proposal. Click here to read more about the competition: https://kisforkids.org/news/k-is-for-kids-2nd-annual-y-e-s-competition-won-by-senior-duo-from-barron-collier-high-school/
Andres Solarte
Andres Solarte, a student at Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology, was one of the videographers for the 4th Annual K is for Kids Teen Fashion Show. He is currently serving an internship with K is for Kids.
Winners of Two Scholarship Competitions Announced!
2015 Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition
The finalists for K is for Kids’ 2nd Annual Y.E.S. Comp. gave presentations at the Top Leaders event and later Craig Bouchard joined the judges to announce the winners. Click here to read more: https://kisforkids.org/news/k-is-for-kids-2nd-annual-y-e-s-competition-won-by-senior-duo-from-barron-collier-high-school/
Tyler Schult and Hadrien Roy
K is for Kids’ Young Entrepreneurs 2015 were Tyler Schult at left and Hadrien Roy at right (both are recent graduates of Barron Collier High School. Craig Bouchard, international entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author is shown at center.
Diana Alas – Runner-Up
Diana Alas, a rising senior at Lely High School, was the runner-up for the 2nd annual Y.E.S. Comp. 2015. She presented her vision for a “Busy Kids” software application.
Second place winner of Y.E.S. Comp, Diana Alas, with her proud family. Photo by Ann Alvarez, a Gulf Coast High School student.
Daylin Baez – “Katnyssa”
Daylin Baez is announced as 3rd place winner of Y.E.S. Comp, while judges applaud for her achievement. (l-r) Pat Clawson, Tiffany McQuaid, and Vin Izzi. Photo by Ann Alvarez, a Gulf Coast High School student.
Teen Illustrator Contest for Children’s Book
Five finalists were at the Top Leaders event, excited to learn who would be the winner for K is for Kids one-of-a-kind Teen Illustrator Contest for children’s book “White Moon, Purple Sea and the Underwater Circus”. Jason Kurek, one of the three judges for the contest, announced the winners with Karen Clawson. Click here to read more about the contest – https://kisforkids.org/news/naples-high-school-graduate-wins-teen-illustrator-contest/)
Darice Pollard
Shown at right below, Darice Pollard, a graduate of Naples High School, won the contest! At left is shown at right below, was the winner of K is for Kids first-one-of-a-kind ‘Teen Illustrator Contest!
Runner-up Celine Consolo (left) and winner Darice Pollard of Teen Illustrator Contest show one of their artwork entries. Photo by Ann Alvarez, a Gulf Coast High School student.
Celine Consolo
Shown at left above is Celine Consolo, a junior student at Barron Collier High School, and the runner-up for the competition!
Kristina Cortada, Kaileen McHugh, Sarah Renfroe
L-R: Jason Kurek, one of the judges for K is for Kids’ Teen Illustrator Contest for children’s book “White Moon, Purple Sea and the Underwater Circus” stands with the five finalists – Kaileen McHugh, Palmetto Ridge High School graduate; Kristina Cortada, a junior at Lorenzo Walker Technical High School; Celine Consolo, a Barron Collier High School junior; Darice Pollard, Naples High School graduate; and standing in for her daughter Sarah Renfroe is her mother Beth.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU GOES TO…
K is for Kids’ members of the board, mentors, judges and supporters who attended the reception and participated in the competitions and awards, especially:
Patrick “Pat” Clawson
Pat Clawson, Chief Executive Officer, Blancco Technology Group, is a K is for Kids director and served as a judge for the Y.E.S. COMP.
Vincent “Vin” Izzi
Vin Izzi, founder and President of IZZI Business Consulting, serves as a member of the board for K is for Kids. He also served as a judge for the Y.E.S. COMP.
Click here to read more about K is for Kids’ Board of Directors:
https://kisforkids.org/about/board-of-directors/
Tiffany McQuaid
Tiffany McQuaid of McQuaid & Company Real Estate Services and McQuaid Marketing & Promotions, served as the third judge for the Y.E.S. COMP.
Craig Bouchard
Craig Bouchard, international entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author was named K is for Kids’ Shining Star 2015, an award given by the foundation’s student leaders.
Craig announced K is for Kids’ Young Entrepreneur in 2015 and in the competition’s inaugural year 2014. (Click here to read more about Craig Bouchard – https://kisforkids.org/news/craig-bouchard-receives-students-shining-star-award/)
Jason Kurek
Jason Kurek serves on K is for Kids’ Advisory Council. He also was one of the judges for the Teen Illustrator Contest this year.
Jason addressed the five finalists of the Teen Illustrator Contest for Children’s Book “White Moon, Purple Sea and the Underwater Circus” (written by K is for Kids’ founder) and announced the runner-up and winner with Karen Clawson (also author of the book). (Click here to read more about the contest – https://kisforkids.org/news/naples-high-school-graduate-wins-teen-illustrator-contest/)
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Meet Our Student Photographer
Ann Alvarez, student photographer and rising senior at Gulf Coast H.S.
Many thanks to Ann Alvarez, student photographer and rising senior at Gulf Coast High School, who shot all the photos for K is for Kids’ “Top Leaders Reception” at Hilton Naples. K is for Kids is a teen-driven organization in which teens, particularly juniors and seniors nearing graduation, manage all aspects of the organization’s mission. K is for Kids is for the kids, by the kids, and with the kids!
K is for Kids would like to thank all our students
for applying their unique skills and talents to K is for Kids
and making this year such a success!
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Please support our Readers & Leaders programs today –
Donate just $5.00 to buy a book for a child in need.
LITERACY IS OUR PLATFORM
TEENS ARE THE ENERGY AND INSPIRATION FUELING OUR CAUSE!
To make a tax-deductible donation to K is for Kids’ Readers & Leaders Program:
click here.
Or you may mail a donation to:
K is for Kids Foundation
c/o Karen Clawson, Founder & Exec. Dir. * 4601 Oak Leaf Drive * Naples, FL 34119
Together we will “Climb higher. Help others.”