K is for Kids’ student leaders recently presented Craig Bouchard with their 6th Annual Shining Star Award at their Top Leaders Reception at the Naples Hilton on May 31st.

The award was given to Craig in recognition of his contributions to their teen driven foundation and his support empowering them to “Climb higher. Help others.”  The reception applauded the successes of the foundation’s teen leaders, interns, scholarship and competition winners, as well as the adults who had supported their efforts. (Click here to read more about the reception – https://kisforkids.org/news/scholarship-winners-named-student-leaders-recognized-at-k-is-for-kids-reception/)

Photo by Ann Alvarez, Gulf Coast High. Craig Bouchard, international entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author of “The Caterpillar Way”, and creator/author of the “Adventures of Ai” video game, eBook and World Charity Cup, addresses students and families after being honored as the teen leaders’ Shining Star Award for his impact on the teens’ mission and programs 2013-14

The Shining Star was first awarded in 2011 to Ann Scott, now the First Lady of Florida, whose generous support helped launched the foundation’s readers and leaders programs (see below). Each year the top student leaders serving on DOSA – Directorate of Student Agenda, vote on which individual will receive their Shining Star Award.

Photo by Ann Alvarez, GCH. Student leaders pause to pose with Shining Star Award recipient, Craig Bouchard, at K is for Kids’ Top Leaders Reception at the Hilton – Naples on May 31st. (l-r) Tyler Schult, a recent graduate of Barron Collier High School; Daylin Baez, a rising senior at Lorenzo Walker Technical High School; Craig Bouchard, Nedgie Paul, the Graduate of Distinction at Palmetto Ridge High School; and Hadrien Roy, also a graduate of Barron Collier High School Class. Following the award, Craig announced that Hadrien and Tyler had won first place in K is for Kids’ 2nd Annual Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Competition, and Daylin placed third.  Nedgie Paul also was honored as the foundation’s first recipient of the Erin Clawson Victory Scholarship for $1,000 and Hadrien was awarded the foundation’s first Patrick Clawson Jr. Vision Scholarship for $500. All students served in internships with K is for Kids and Tyler, Nedgie and Hadrien serve on DOSA-Directorate of Student Agenda, the foundation’s highest student leadership council.  Congratulations to all the honorees!

Craig and his family have been involved with K is for Kids since 2012 when Craig was the keynote speaker at the annual Teen Fashion Show in 2013 and his three girls modeled in the event.To listen to Craig’s keynote address at the event in 2013, click here:  https://youtu.be/4JVFXkf1UQU.

Craig and the girls returned the following year with the girls again modeling on stage and Craig presenting the foundation’s first Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Award.  His company, Signature Group Holdings, was the headline sponsor in 2014.

Craig was a featured author at the 6th Annual Kids Celebrate Reading Book Fair at Barnes & Noble in February 2014. The event is hosted each year by student leaders who organize fun activities for kids of all ages to encourage them to read more while helping to raise awareness and funding for K is for Kids reading programs.

Craig gave a special preview of his (then upcoming) children’s eBook, the “Adventures of Ai” before wrapped up the day’s activities with a book signing of his New York Times bestseller “The Caterpillar Way. Lessons in leadership, growth and shareholder value”.

This school year, Craig created and launched the first-ever World Charity Cup and “Adventures of Ai” Video Game Contest as a way to unite youth and inspire their creativity. The contest slogan – “One World, One Team” – rallied kids of all ages to help children in need around the globe – all while having fun pursuing one of their favorite past-times – playing a video game.

The annual competition showcases more than 20 children’s charities around the globe in seven countries. K is for Kids was represented in the global category.  (Read more about the contest here –  https://kisforkids.org/news/kids-help-children-around-the-world-by-competing-in-video-game-contest/)

All this hard work and generosity cannot go unnoticed: A special thank you to Craig Bouchard for his continuous support and dedication helping empower our youth to “Climb higher. Help others.”!

To read more about Craig and his massive list of achievements, visit – http://www.craigbouchard.com/craig-bouchard-bio.aspx

The first Shining Star Award was given by K is for Kids’ student leaders (now seniors in college) to Florida’s First Lady Ann Scott. A happy moment was captured by 15-year-old Gulf Coast High School student photographer, Madisyn Andrea, at the Kids Celebrate Reading Book Fair 2011 hosted each year by the foundation’s teen leaders. Children and teens gathered with  First Lady Ann Scott and “All About Audrey” children’s book author Margaret Cardillo.  Participants of the event got to meet the guest author and then became young authors themselves, with each writing a page in a commemorative book published by K is for Kids.

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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!

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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.”

K is for Kids® Foundation Inc. is a not-for-profit organization registered in Florida, Registration No. CH25318 and is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION by the STATE.