Fall Edition 2015 Volume IX
NSPIRED
Kids Speak
Cover Design Brooklyn,18 Indiana University Freshmen Pike High School Graduate Indianapolis, IN
Piper’s 1st book, Visions of Light: A Christmas Story Page 13
Respect and Kindness are Important Adriana’s Story Page 14
You Are Never Too Young to PICC Your Entrepreneurial Path Page 30
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departments
features
Letter, 4 Art, 8 Writing, 13, 18 Music, 20 Community, 22 Poetry, 26 Photography, 28
More than Dots in Blue Water 5 Read the journey of a young girl and her trip to Haiti.
CONTENT Respect and Kindness are Important Adriana’s Story,14 After suffering from 3rd degree burns, see Adriana’s story about earning respect and kindness.
Perception: Changing Foreboding to Serendipitous , 16 Dedicate her life to helping those not only in Sudan. It’s her purpose in life because we are all part of one tribe.
You Are Never Too Young to PICC Your Entrepreneurial Path, 30 Meet the Hannah and her team introduce their first product is the PICCPerfect PICC line cover.
PUBLISHER Michael Vander Sande DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Jordan T. Baldridge ART DIRECTOR Brian Brosmer SPONSORSHIP/ADVERTISING For sponsorship information contact Inspired Magazine at 317.691.4237 EDUCATORS Submit classroom set requests and address changes to: editor@readinspiredmag.org STUDENTS Submit your original fiction, non-fiction, poetry, art, photography, music and film for consideration for publication at www.readinspiredmag.com Copyright © 2015 Inspired Kids 9149 Lantern Lane Indianapolis, IN 46256 Inspired Magazine, our publisher and our advertisers are not responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, or typographical errors.
Anthony, Peyton Manning Hospital
Indianapolis, IN
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All rights reserved. May be reproduced with proper citation for educational purposes. Inspired Magazine 317.691.4237 michael@readinspiredmag.org www.readinspiredmag.org
Express Yourself 3
LETTER
Letter from the Publisher Thanks for picking up this copy of Inspired! We are blessed to be able to continue to print this amazing magazine! With this Fall Edition, we are moving to a quarterly publication. Distribution is increasing and we are available at all Indianapolis Public Libraries, YMCA’s, Lincoln Square Pancake Houses and numerous other locations throughout the area. A complete list of our expanding distribution points can be found at our website on our home page. As a newer nonprofit we naturally depend on support from others to do what we do - which is To Inspire Kids. We are proud of the nine magazines, that we have published and appreciate all the overwhelming support. We have featured hundreds of Kids, dozens of other nonprofits and schools and we do look forward to continuing to produce and publish a remarkable magazine. We believe when we publish a Kids work we have direct and often immediate impact on their self confidence, self esteem and self awareness. Thanks to the Indianapolis Section of the National Council of Jewish Women for their generous support and all others who see value in what we are doing. Sponsorships continue to be available for others and we appreciate your interest and support! You will note our cover now states Kids Speak, versus Express Yourself as we are proud to introduce our second program, appropriately called Kids Speak! Kids Speak is a new program that will act as a speaker bureau of sorts for young speakers. Our magazines contain amazing content already and many of these Kids are passionate about what they are doing and Kids Speak will provide Kids the chance to develop a speech and presentation on their passions that can be shared with many. We will provide Kids with 4-6 months of guidance, training, and polishing their speeches and then promote these Kids and their cause by providing them an audience to share. Our first year we will be working with just a handful of Kids as we develop this program and naturally we appreciate your support for this as well. Our Fall Edition is full of wonderful content all created by Kids. Be sure to read the stories of Bryan Thompson, an accomplished saxophone player in our Music Section and Adrianna a remarkable young lady who has a great story to tell. Also note Piper Hawkins, a 10 year old first time author from Cincinnati. There are more great stories in this edition and enjoy them all and share with many. As a reminder, our digital edition is available at our website. Please continue to let all the Kids you know that they can share their work and be published! Join us as we continue To Inspire Kids. Michael
4 Inspired
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THE WORLD More than Dots in Blue Water When three tropical storms hit the tiny country of Haiti over a short period of time, children in the town of Chambrum had only one place to go for safety, the roof of their one story school house. With continuous rain, floodwaters grew as high as the edge of the roof. Despite the rising water, the children remained optimistic about being rescued due to the schools close proximity to the Haitian capital, Port-Au-Prince. However, after three days of no help, food, or water that feeling of optimism turned into hopelessness. Many of the children were orphaned by HIV and had the disease themselves; they felt as no one cared for them and slowly gave up—falling off of the roof into the floodwaters to die. Once the waters receded and the head master of the school was finally able to send out messages he emailed my science teacher, Michael Baer, an old friend from when they were both involved with Campus Crusade for Christ. The headmaster and pastor begged for my science teacher to just pray for the country of Haiti and for himself, as he had to go around and collect the bodies of his former school children. When a little girl was asked to describe the events that took place she replied, “I saw lots and lots of Dots in Blue Water”. Mr. Baer told my class this story later hoping to illustrate the devising effects of deforestation, and how it can cause flooding. Little did he know, but this story motivated me and many of my peers at South Adams High School to go further than just a science lesson. For the next school year we worked tirelessly to learn about the country of Haiti and what they needed most. We found that due to the flooding, many wells were
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Samatha Schwartz, 20 Junior Ball State Muncie, In contaminated with cholera and other waterborn illnesses. With this in mind, my class and I sought the help of an engineer to improve the design of a previously made water purification system. The following school year Dots in Blue Water (DIBW) was officially formed and we were ready to take action. My first experience in Haiti was something that I’ll never forget. We landed in the half crumbled airport in June 2011. Just a year and a half after a massive earthquake
struck the island and crumbled the Haitian infrastructure—which still laid in ruins around the city. Hundreds of people surrounded the airport begging those flying into the country for food and water. Others were grabbing at our bags as we hurried to our ride (essentially a box truck with a fenced in back and two benches to sit on). Little did I know, this was the first of many trips I would make to this beautiful country, one that would soon grow into my second home.
Kids Speak 5
THE WORLD
Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Haitians live in conditions that many Americans can’t even imagine. In the same river where one woman is giving her toddler a drink of water, a man is bathing, a woman is doing laundry, and little kids are nakedly playing in the water. The wells that they drink from are just holes dug in the ground deep enough for water to seep in. When they are not being used, many are covered with a tire or piece of metal while animals eat and defecate nearby. Over the next five years DIBW would install over 10 large sized water purifier tanks to help over 5,000 people as well as distribute over 300 bucket sized purifiers to help over 400+ families, schools, and churches obtain clean drinking water. Visiting Haiti and seeing the despair has really changed my view on life. It has shown me that my life purpose is 6 Inspired
to work in the healthcare field and help the less fortunate. Working with DIBW has also taught me about primary prevention and ways we can cure the water issues in Haiti. This has inspired be to learn about secondary and tertiary prevention (i.e. direct health care). Over the years, I have continued to work with DIBW even after graduating high school and am now an advisor for the group and go on the trips as an adult supervisor. I plan to graduate college in 2017 and pursue a master’s degree and become a Physician’s Assistant. I want to use what I have learned with DIBW as well as in college to run my own non-profit clinics in Haiti. DIBW has given me a new perspective on the world we live in. It has fueled my passion for helping others as well as encouraged me to pursue my dreams.
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Give our kids every chance to get better.
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE THE MIRACLES ARE.
JENNIFER LOPEZ ACTRESS, MUSICIAN, TV PERSONALITY, MOM
Like all moms, I’m always concerned about my children’s well-being. But sometimes they get sick. Sometimes they get hurt. That’s why I’m so grateful we have children’s hospitals. If any child needs a miracle, they’ll do everything in their power to make one happen. Please join me in giving sick and injured children every chance to get better. Put Your Money Where the Miracles Are. Give to your Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local, funding critical treatments, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Find out why children’s hospitals need community support and find your member hospital at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.
Give Today
at RileyKids.org
ART Machaila, 16 Grade 10 Broad Ripple High School Indianapolis, IN
William, 14 Grade 9 Broad Ripple High School Indianapolis, IN
Christopher, 6 Grade 1 Christel House Academy West Indianapolis, IN
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ART
Lizbeth, 16 Grade 10 Broad Ripple High School Indianapolis, IN
Alexis, 13 Grade 8 Broad Ripple High School Indianapolis, IN
Nelson, 15 Grade 9 Broad Ripple High School Indianapolis, IN
Jeffery, 15 Grade 9 University High School Carmel, IN
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Express Yourself 9
ART Ashley, 15 Grade 10 Christel House Academy South Indianapolis, IN
Sean, 14 Grade 9 Christel House Academy South Indianapolis, IN
Alyssa, 17 Grade 12 Pike Indianapolis, IN
Kelly, 13 Grade 7 Holy Cross Indianapolis, IN 10 Inspired
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ART Jackie, 16 Grade 12 Christel House Academy South Indianapolis, IN Grace, 9 Grade 3 Holy Cross Indianapolis, IN
Keiko, 13 Grade 7 Holy Cross Indianapolis, IN
Lauren, 9 Grade 3 Holy Cross Indianapolis, IN Jalen, 13 Grade 7 Holy Cross Indianapolis, IN
ART Lizbeth, 16 Grade 10 Broad Ripple High School Indianapolis, IN
Thea, 10 Grade 3 The Art Studio of Carmel Carmel, IN
Julian, 13 Grade 7 Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center Indianapolis, IN
WRITING Visions of Light: A Christmas Story Piper C. Hawkins, 10 Grade 5 All Saints Montgomery, OH
I’m 10 year old Piper Hawkins and I recently published a book called Visions of Light: A Christmas Story. I’m now in the 5th grade but I have always loved making homemade books – I have over 400 starting from the time I was 3 years old. In October of 2012, my mom and I went to Books by the Banks, a book festival at the Cincinnati Duke Energy Convention Center. There, I met famous author Barney Saltzberg. He inspired me so much and I figured if he could publish books, so could I, why not?
they couldn’t be so mean or nasty. I dreamt about how you could see something like that. I figured that you needed something magical – like Santa’s glasses and the story unfolded. For Good Media October of 2014 and I have done a lot of book signings, school talks, even TV and radio interviews! It’s been so much fun fulfilling my dream and we just heard that I was accepted to Books by the Banks for this year! GOAL ACHIEVED while I’m still 10 years old!
I set a goal to write and publish a picture book by my 10th birthday and have my own spot at Books by the Banks. So I wrote lots of stories trying to come up with one to publish. Then, I wrote a book about a little girl who sees through Santa’s glasses which show the love and light in other people.
Come meet me and our amazing Illustrator, Kathleen Streitenberger, on October 17th 10am – 4pm at the Cincinnati Duke Energy Convention Center where we’ll be signing copies of Visions of Light: A Christmas Story and will have a preview of the next book, The Puppy Tooth Fairy.
The idea for the book came from a conversation that my mom and I had about bullies and terrorists. I said that if people could SEE how they treated each other,
In the meantime, keep writing, drawing, reading and DREAM BIG!
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Express Yourself 13
WRITING
Respect and Kindness are Important Adriana’s Story
Adriana Ramirez, 18 Freshman IUPUI Indianapolis, IN We all face obstacles in our lives that we have to deal with. Some people have rough obstacles, or they have easy ones. Then there are some that change your life forever and with that, I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. My life was changed when I was 16 months old. At that infant age, I was in an accident in which caused me to be 40% burned. In May of 1998, while in Mexico, I tripped over the cord of a deep fryer. The deep fryer contained hot cooking oil in which when I tripped, I pulled down the cord with me causing me to have 2nd / 3rd degrees burns to the right side of my face, my chest, and the front of my thighs. The only thing that was amputated was my right ear. Removing it from me wasn’t the biggest obstacle I had to face, but rather the future that lied ahead of me. With the stares, guilt, anger, sadness, teasing and the countless questions all starting since I can remember, I’ve realized that I had to grow up at a young age. I had to grow up and be more mature than those kids around me and that was the reality. I went through a time in my life where I was so 14 Inspired
insecure with the way that I looked, that I hated leaving the house. And when I would be asked questions or stared at, it was almost as if I was trapped. Since my accident, I’ve been treated at Shriners Hospital for Children in Cincinnati, OH, where my family and I were welcomed with love and most importantly, hope. I’ve been fortunate enough to get the best care, both emotionally and physically. I’ve endured many surgeries to my face and body. Among the surgeries include many skin grafts as well as tissue expanders. I am beyond grateful that I have such a support system within the Shriners Community. I also happen to find a lot support from a retreat called Angel Faces; a non-profit week long retreat held for girls who have a facial disfigurement with the mission to (on quote from the program’s brochure: “To provide healing retreats and ongoing support of adolescent girls and young women with burn/trauma injuries to achieve their optimum potential and develop meaningful relationships for themselves, their families, and their communities.” One of my heroes in life is the CEO /InspiredKidsIndy
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WRITING of the retreat Lesia Cartelli whom herself endured burns on her face and body as a child. I am also very grateful for her, the women, and the girls that I have met through this retreat. The relationships I’ve built with people over the years have given me much of the confidence and faith I have today. But my main support and confidence came from my mother. She always made sure that I knew I was beautiful. She always took care of me at the hospital and she was always very protective of me. She passed away last year and it was the biggest hit life had thrown at
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me. She was my best friend and now she’s my guardian angel which means that I have to be strong for the both of us. Everything I do is for her. I wouldn’t change what happened to me. I am very thankful for all the people that I have met and the bonds I have created with me. Today, I am more comfortable in my skin than I have ever been. Looks aren’t important - respect and kindness are. Always be kind to those around you, because you never know what their journey through life is all about.
Kids Speak 15
FEATURE Perception: Changing Foreboding to Serendipitous Yassmine, 18 Graduate of North Central Freshman Ball State Muncie, IN I awoke to the sound of young boys banging their pots and pans with sticks and yelling as they tried to wake up the people in the village. It was about five in the morning and time to eat or better yet drink water because the day ahead was long and Ramadan had just begun and there was no food. This was the first time I had visited Darfur since my father sought political refuge in America. He was an activist who co-authored an anonymous book that exposed the injustice in Sudan and eventually catalyzed the development of the Justice and Equality movement. He was brought to the United States by the United Nations after he lost his position as Secretary General to the Genocide. My parents didn’t know English and struggled to find anyone to connect with. Working three jobs in the months after, we took a bus from Phoenix to Indiana to find a relative. He wanted the best for me, to achieve my dreams, and to have an education. In Indianapolis, I spoke English, ate pizza, and tried my best to fit in at school. At home I spoke Arabic, read the Quran and prepared falafel with my mother. I was raised in such a fashion that it was very easy for me to code-switch. As I grew older I began to find this transition difficult. I would speak in Arabic when frustrated at school and I would forget to wear my Hijab when family members would come over. It is for that reason that I began to carry 16 Inspired
around an emergency scarf that could be crafted into a Hijab. $36.45 said the cashier. My mother gave me the Food Stamps card to pay for the groceries. A classmate was waiting in the line behind me. I pulled out the card and proceeded to pay. I was embarrassed because I allowed that student to understand my financial state. My mother works 12 hours a day earning minimum wage. My father works as a taxi driver in downtown Indianapolis. Almost half of our income is sent to Africa so that our family members are able to eat; I don’t see my parents often. I had to take care of my younger siblings, cook, and make sure that they did their homework .Sometimes I would miss the bus and my dad would have to take me to school in his taxi. I would tell him to drop me off at the opposite end of the school so that I could avoid being seen. Woe is me. It wasn’t until I went to Darfur that I realized that wasn’t the case. In Sudan people would always ask “What’s the difference between America and Darfur?” I wasn’t honest with them. I told them that the weather was different but not much else because I did not want them to see how little they had. I went to visit my grandmother at a refugee camp. Sitting at her bedside I began to read The Interpreter of Maladies, a story of assimilation. I spotted children outside the tent. I walked outside and they began asking me to talk in English, just so they could hear it. I said a few words and they asked me to keep /InspiredKidsIndy
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FEATURE speaking. I opened my book and began reading aloud. Slowly, the children sat down as they listened to me. Stopping me in my tracks, a child named Ahmed began telling me what he thought about America. He would say that the United States was the closes thing to Heaven. That there was enough water to take a shower three times a day. That people swam in food. That grass was everywhere and money could be found in fountains. He thought I was the richest person he’d ever met. His mother sat by listening in. I was very upset about what he said. Everyone in the refugee camp had the impression that America is the greatest place on Earth and that any goal could be achieved in America. All you had to do was get there. I scuffed at that idea. The American dream is dead, I thought. My family made it to America. We live in poverty. I’m afraid to wear my Hijab because I don’t like it when people yell profanities at my mother for wearing her Hijab. I’m ashamed of my parent’s job. But as I looked around the refugee camp, I knew that those weren’t barriers, they were obstacles. I won’t be defined by my circumstance but by how hard I dedicate myself to my ambitions. That is the American Dream. I lost my inhibition. I became the only black student in the IB Diploma program and I was the only black person in most of my classes. Many IB students looked down on me for not having the best grades and test scores. I didn’t have the same resources they had and nothing fell in my lap but I did my best. “The change to fix Sudan must first begin with the economy” said my older male cousin. “No, the change must first being with the base, otherwise everything else will topple. I was told that I was too outspoken and was constantly scolded for engaging in debates with the men in the village about the future of Sudan. I was told to put on a skirt, bleach my skin and learn to cook. I am not fashionable, I cannot put make up on and I burn myself boiling water. Sadia, a relative of mine, failed the English exam and ran away. The whole village searched for hours before she was found. She arrived with a handmade basket full of vegetables as she said “I cannot go to school anymore. I’m here for life. I might as well start farming.” It was then that I recognized the status of women. I was beyond honored to be nominated for the One Girl at a Time program through the Women Like Us Foundation. I got to speak to extraordinary women and participate in life changing experiences but that wasn’t the best part of the program. When Deb Myers, the director, would say something about how girls
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view themselves today, many of us looked around at each other as if we were saying “You felt that way too?” We formed a bond and learned that we could rely on each other. Deb could make the most popular girl in the school and the captain of the chess team connect on an extremely deeper level. The mentors in this program were amazing role models. I formed unbreakable bonds and I learned so much about myself as a woman and as a leader. I learned that the only way people could treat me as inferior is if I let them. I built my body to relax in and I’ve developed my intellect to give back and nobody will stop me from doing anything because of my sex. Being born a women is not a doomed foreboding rather a blessed circumstance. Serendipitous. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny (Martin Luther King Junior). I have decided to dedicate my life to helping those not only in Sudan, but wherever my help is needed. I believe it to be my purpose in life because we are all part of one tribe. Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity (Horace Mann)
Kids Speak 17
WRITING RILEY’S KIDS
Sneha Dave, 18 Grade 12 Center Grove High School
Don’t Stop Braden-Riley’s Champion The Riley’s Kids pages are pages devoted to kids within or associated with Riley Children’s Hospital. Many of these kids have remarkable stories, and are remarkably talented, and these pages are avenues for these kids to share their work. In the midst of everything these kids are facing or have experienced, we hope we are providing an outlet for them and inspirational stories to you our readers. Riley Hospital is a remarkable hospital that provides hope to kids around the world. With a hospital here in Indianapolis, in Kenya, and offices spread throughout Indiana, Riley is a first rate organization that provides outstanding medical care on a loving and supportive environment. They never turn a child away regardless of the family’s inability to pay. Donations to Riley assure they continue to provide amazing care to kids.
18 Inspired
Braden Tamosaitis, a 2013 Children’s Miracle Network Champion, is a ten year old third grader at Decatur Elementary Learning Center.
but over the summer, he beat that goal, donating about 700 more beach balls during the Child Life party, “Braden’s Beach Bash!”
Braden Tamosaitis was born with a number of obstacles. Spina Bifida, Hydocephalus and Arnold Chiari II malformation are all immense challenges that became part of his future from birth. When Braden was born, he went into his first surgery and that would be the first of his many medical adventures. Braden has had 18 surgeries to date. The most recent being this year, where he had a metal rod placed in his back.
Braden loves to give back to Riley Hospital that he calls his “second home.” Braden says that the “people there are fantastic. I’ve had so many doctors and they’ve all been just great.” He has visited around a hundred dance marathons, which are held at both high schools and colleges, where he speaks to encourage participants to donate money to make more miracles at Riley! Braden is also a member of the University of Indianapolis men’s soccer team, where he endlessly supports his teammates! “Teammates always support With Braden’s many surgeries, he has each other,” Braden says. “That’s why some of the members of the soccer team developed a relationship with staff came in the morning to see me before my members at Riley. From the CEO of surgery!” Riley Hospital, to many doctors and nurses, Braden calls them all “just The entire Tamosaitis family is about giving amazing.” He describes how Riley back. When their late son, Nathan, passed makes sure to do things the way that away from Spina Bifida only after six weeks “I like things.” An example is when of birth, they decided to start “Nathan’s he goes in for surgeries; the staff playroom.” Nathan’s playroom benefits removes all masks from his sight, as siblings of chronically ill children! they frighten him. Braden was announced as the 2013 CMN In fall of 2012, Braden was in the hospital for 37 gruesome days and after getting out he realized he wanted to do something positive. He knew how awful it was to stay in the hospital for so long, so he decided to collect a total of 160 beach balls,
(Children’s Miracle Network) Champion and represented some 17 million children that go to 170 CMN hospitals throughout the country.
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Ken’s program was enjoyable and self-reinforcing, because it allowed me to make pleasing musical sounds, starting with the very first lesson.
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MUSIC Bryan Thompson-blessed with gifts From the young age of three my family knew that I would be musically oriented. I often sang around the house because most of the people in my family were singers but not many musicians. I spent most of my life with my aunt and uncle and at the time smooth Bryan Thompson, 18 jazz was played on fm radio stations (before Freshman IU satellite radio) Bloomington, IN and that is all they listened to so that was all I listened to as well. After listening to jazz music all the time I suddenly developed a desire to become a saxophonist at the age of 9. My aunt and uncle were quite surprised but they encouraged my decision to become a musician. At the time I was unaware of the price of a saxophone and figured it would be easy to obtain one but I found out I was wrong. Saxophones can range from process to $300 all the way to $10,000 or more depending on the quality and brand. Back then, I didn’t care what brand or what type of saxophone I got, I just wanted one! My family couldn’t afford a good quality one but in October of 2007, I remember going upstairs to my room and seeing a black case 20 Inspired
laying on my bed. I ran back downstairs to ask whose box is on my bed? I was told to go and open it and inside of it was an old and rusty, Bundy alto saxophone. Overjoyed, I immediately attempted to try and play it but to no success. I spent day and night just looking at the instrument trying to disambiguate how you play it. After a few months of receiving my saxophone, I attended an educational African American History camp called Free Town Village. The director of the camp overheard me talking about wanting to play the saxophone and she approached me stating that her father was a saxophone private lesson teacher. Soon I began taking lessons from her father. After about 6 months a tragic incident had occurred. My private lessons teacher’s home was broken into and he and his wife were beaten severely. I was unable to receive any more lessons from him due to his critical condition. I was extremely discouraged at this point in my life and almost did not want to play music any more. However I managed /InspiredKidsIndy
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MUSIC to gain motivation from family, friends and God. I continued to practice relentlessly, for hours every day. Soon I became good enough to get my first paying gig at the age of 10. Throughout the years I became more inspired and I performed all over Indianapolis at this point. My main motivation for music is Kenny G. I met him back in November of 2012 and got a photo with him. He normally does not take photos after his performances but when I met him for a second time in May of 2015, I showed him my picture of him and I from
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3 years ago and he said if you got a picture then, you can get one now. He signed my saxophone and said to me “you brought your horn for a reason, would you like to play for me?” I told him “of course” and I played a number of his hit songs! Kenny was greatly impressed and told me to keep in touch with him. I have been blessed with many opportunities to play music and meet some of the greatest musicians in this industry. I hope and pray I can also achieve what they have and even more!
Kids Speak 21
COMMUNITY A Day at the Statehouse David Richardson Grade 8 Decatur Township School of Excellence
Editor’s note: On Tuesday, Feb. 24, 350 middle and high school students from around the state came to the Indiana Statehouse for Youth Advocacy Day, sponsored by COBI (Children Our Best Investment). Students learned how bills become laws, ate lunch, then met one-on-one with their state legislators.
talked to our representative about how we felt about the bill and how we wanted them to vote. It was really cool to talk to someone with power about a subject that matters to us. My classmates and I never realized we had a voice in politics, especially at our young age.
I’m really glad I got to experience the COBI statehouse day. The day started with information about a set of bills that were going to be voted on by the Indiana House of Representatives or Senate. Then they had us find which one of those bills we felt passionate about.
After that we got to sit in the gallery and watch the Indiana Senate or House of Representatives in session. I think the most important thing people can take out of this COBI day at the Statehouse is that everyone has a voice, teenager or senior citizen and everyone in between. This experience has really changed my mind about politics and politics is now on my list of possible career options.
I chose House Bill 1638, which is about helping schools with failing grades achieve better grades. I chose this because my school, Decatur Township School of Excellence, doesn’t have a very good school grade but our school has a different learning environment. DTSE is an expeditionary learning school which means we learn much more hands on and in the field — unlike a traditional school that reads out of textbooks and researches online. I was afraid that people who don’t know how our school is run might want to change it in a bad way. We later 22 Inspired
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COMMUNITY
If I Don’t Do It, Who Will? “If I don’t do it, who will?” This is what ran through my mind when I decided to begin speaking out about Tourette Syndrome. My name is Ian Weiker. I am 16 years old and am currently attending University High School in Carmel as a junior. Even though I live in Indianapolis, I grew up in New Jersey and only moved here in the summer of 2014. I have participated in service for much of my life and have only gotten more involved since I moved to Indy. I grew up knowing that service was important. Doing what you can for your community and the people around you is necessary because they do so much for you. My first experience with service was in third grade. The father of my best friend was in a severe car accident. My family and others in our community created a fundraiser, ML Cares which held a Super “Bowl-a-Thon” fundraiser, where children, and adults, raised money by getting sponsors to pay a certain amount per game. My friend and I went in front of the Board of Education and asked for the community’s support and awareness, which we thankfully obtained. With everyone’s help, we raised over thirty thousand dollars to cover some of the medical costs for the family. Through Boy Scouts and a post-Bar Mitzvah program at my synagogue in New Jersey, I participated in multiple service projects. I have de-weeded and replanted many areas in the town I grew up in. I burned audio books onto CDs for the blind or visually impaired and put on concerts for the residents of multiple elderly homes in New York City. These all were important and I felt like I was making a difference doing them. But all of these were just me following a group, and even though I cared about these activities, they were never made out of my own ambitions and values. Ever since I moved to Indiana, I have gone off on my own and started to forge my own path. I was bullied from an early age. I have ADHD, Tourette Syndrome, and
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Asperger’s. I was also bullied because I was very far ahead of the pack in elementary school in intelligence. I suspect some of my bullies were jealous. This lasted until eighth grade, when the principal finally stepped in. Bullying can occur anywhere and I was once bullied for the oddest of reasons. One summer I attended a weight loss camp, and while there I was bullied because I was “skinny.” Just imagine it, a group of overweight kids making fun of the one kid who’s at least somewhat less so. It seems impossible, but that’s what happened. This past year University High School held a program called “Year of Service” where every student participated in a service project throughout the year. We broke into groups and I ended up in a group by myself because no one else was interested in my project. I was discouraged at first, but I worked extra hard nonetheless. I became a Youth Ambassador for the Indiana Chapter of the Tourette Syndrome Association. This is giving me the opportunity to speak at different schools and youth groups and raise awareness about Tourette Syndrome. One unique thing about University is that anyone is allowed to present at our daily morning meetings or weekly assemblies. This past March, I presented a 40 minute presentation on Tourette Syndrome in front of my entire school of 300 people. It was well-received and many people talked to their families about it afterwards, spreading the word even further.
IAN, 16 Grade 11 University High School Carmel, IN
Back on the subject of bullying, my newest service project is just getting started. I am excited to set up a hotline or mentoring program/group for kids being bullied, especially those with learning or social disabilities, but anyone is welcome. In this coming year, I hope to do this as my new Year of Service project and hope that you will join me in this endeavor over the next year. Oftentimes, people avoid service because they think someone else will do it. I am just one example of the success of the reverse. I, and hopefully you, will continue to think, “If I don’t step up, who will?” My program’s working title is STEP UP AGAINST BULLYING.
Kids Speak 23
COMMUNITY Long Branch Students inspiring to become Leaders in the Community Providing Hope, Inc. is a non-profit which provides community programs that focus on disease prevention and wellness to improve the health and quality of life for New Jersey residents, particularly those facing significant life challenges. In May, Students had the opportunity to apply for enrollment in an upcoming Leadership Program sponsored by Providing Hope. This program is designed to provide a safe and nurturing environment through which Kids gain meaningful employment, while developing agricultural and entrepreneurial experience. Students accepted into this program learned about organic gardening while also learning how to develop their own business plans and marketing experience in order to sell produce they have grown at local Farmers’ Markets. .
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The following is a brief intro to some of the stories of our students: Henry T. – age 16, incoming senior in high school
I practice playing piano, play chess weekly and volunteer in the garden during the school year. I wanted to be part of Providing Hope’s Leadership Program so I can learn how to cooperate within a group: to develop work ethic, to earn money instead of being given it and to contribute to my community. I do not quit, I love to learn and I am not discouraged by discomfort. Additionally, I like to help living things grow; the outdoors, without distractions helps me work. As a student leader within this program, I have acquired my first job. The program makes me feel like I am ready to take on harder work. The program is light and fresh and all about learning how to turn seeds into something a consumer would want to put on their plate. One of the things I will take with me is the effort of teamwork and try harder to be the best in any job I take because less is not enough. Providing Hope was my first chance to positively affect my community. I appreciated being able to be committed to the work that would benefit others. It is illogical that food insecurity grips so many states when the nation itself is developed. But through simple maintenance of a few gardens, my labor of my small group padded food banks and showed up on dinner tables. I felt satisfied in offering natural, healthy food, so that they could live their lives more prosperously. Providing Hope is focused on increasing the quality of life for the public, and hunger is a lasting problem across the nation, a noble task to tackle. Therefore, this program gave me pride to work in.
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COMMUNITY Melanie M. – age 15, incoming sophomore in high school
I plan on trying out for the volleyball team this upcoming fall semester. Although I have little knowledge of gardening, I am still devoted and willing to take the chance and learn. Being in the Providing Hope Leadership Program was a great thing for me because it took me out of my comfort zone and made me explore other things that are in store for me. I brought to the program an interactive personality, with meeting new people and trying new things. I loved helping others and am not afraid to ask questions if I feel like I need help. Throughout the program I have come to learn that there are many new things out in the world that are very beneficial to us and our health. I also did learn new ways on how to work with people and better ways to communicate with them. Most importantly I learned something about myself which is I can easily work with different people. The business techniques I learned I will take with me. Overall my experience was amazing I have made many amazing memories, had many laughs and smiles with some great people. I will continue to grow after this program.
Vanessa Hernandez – age 16, incoming senior in high school
I have various volunteer activities and a part time job at a lawyer’s office. I joined the science club this past school year and had the opportunity to be a mentee for the Big Brother/ Big Sister Program. I do have experience in the school garden with an interest in growing my own and learning the various actions needed to be successful with a healthy harvest. I bring to the program dedication and compassion about other’s wellbeing. I am responsible and committed to learning different experiences to further my education about healthy living. I learned how to greet customers even when bad attitudes are given, keep a professional demeanor with the ultimate goal of selling the product. The benefits of being in this program was mainly learning something new, an aeroponic growing system. My experience was great and I enjoyed myself while learning and tending to our farmers stand.
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Kids Speak 25
Sponsored By:
POETRY “O CANCER, O CANCER” O cancer, O cancer Why did you come to me? You presented a great challenge that only strengthened me
O cancer, O cancer, Why did you give me so much pain? You turned my world upside-down but I stayed positive, and had everything to gain O cancer, O cancer, What a journey I have faced It has come to an end now, which is something to be embraced
Being on crutches is at times a pain Your mobility is greatly altered If you were on crutches, what would you gain? Sure, at times I have struggled and faltered Open a door, easier said than done Cannot shower due to bulky leg wrap And no running or jumping is no fun People say that I’ve put up with much crap Walking on one leg gets quite tiresome Other leg is as strong as a chicken’s At times I feel like quite the lazy bum When it comes to sports it is slim pickings However, I don’t focus on the bad This life is the best that I’ve ever had Anthony, Peyton Manning Hospital
O cancer, O cancer You made me sick and you turned me pale, but over you I did prevail
Indianapolis, IN
BELL BOY
O cancer, O cancer, How I kicked your a**, I learned that this experience Cannot be taught in class
Anthony, Peyton Manning Hospital Indianapolis, IN
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LIFE ON CRUTCHES
Today I peeped my reflection I smiled at it, it didn’t smile back Instead I saw my soul crack I felt a sharp pain I believe it was regret, agony, confusion, and sorrow all bundled up into something we call love. I know why I felt this way. I know why my heart slowly began to fall from its veins and through its cages But yet I still told myself, “it’s gonna be alright” At the moment I don’t know where life is taking me but I fear this journey has just begun. Amani, 14
Saint Florian Center Indianapolis, IN
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Sponsored By:
POETRY HE WHO PREVAILED
Bored in church, I place arms across chest with pectoralis major God disapproves, but He is no rager
Frontalis turns my face to surprise As I realize cancer has reached its demise
The Loving Almighty looked down upon me Carrying me through it all Can’t you see?
I use my orbicularis oculi To open not one but both green eye
Zygomaticus makes me give a wide smile As I end a journey that’s gone many a mile “It’s finally over”, I think to myself Deltoid raises my arms, and I reach for the shelf
Many a time have I sat on gluteus medius And thought “Man, oh man is this journey tedious!”
That holds my favorite Wilson racquet Flexor-extensor digitorum group wraps fingers round it
Rarely have I used platysma to put a pout on my face I have tried my best to show the most gracious of grace
Triceps extend my arm as I swing Biceps flex elbow, and arm forms a wing
Rectus abdominus allows for crunches While serratus anterior lets me throw punches
I think to myself how much I miss tennis But with the help of vastus medialis and lateralis, My knees will once again extend
I strive to put myself in prime physical condition To be in the best of the best position In order to form a senior tennis coalition
Although immobilizer keeps leg straight for now, Hamstrings flex knee Allowing myself to sit comfortably Buccinator whistles “Hail Purdue!” What a passionate fan Who loves his sports teams One could say he is the Sports Man Cubs, Colts, and Pacers are other teams of his That he roots for cross-legged, thanks to sartorius
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Sternocleidomastoid turns my head side to side When hearing I will get to meet Roger Federer, So excited I nearly cried There is one thing I’d like to say And it is this: Cancer’s gluteus maximus Has been kicked! When I get off crutches I will jump for joy Using gastrocnemius Saying “Boy, oh boy!” Anthony, Peyton Manning Hospital Indianapolis, IN
Kids Speak 27
PHOTO
Talia,17 Pike High School Indianapolis, IN
Brad,18 Pike High School Indianapolis, IN
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PHOTO
This is my sister CeCe (on the left) and I (on the right) at our home in Washington State. We got adopted together. CeCe is the youngest out of my three sisters. This Picture is taken by my dad, Charlie George.
Biblical Studies at Anderson University, and minoring in French and TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language). With the help of the same missionary who found me thirteen years ago, I’m currently sponsoring a school in my village in Troufondban, Haiti. After graduating from college in four years, I plan to return to the village to build a ministry that educates, and gives medical care. As part of my ministry I also plan to start a trade school that allows kids to learn a skill or a profession that is needed in their economy. Through the trade school, they can find jobs. With an education, they will have a chance to better their lives for the sake of their community. Deep inside of me is a strong passion and burden for the people of Haiti. I realize that Haiti is always going to be part of me and I can’t deny that. I’ve experienced the same suffering and heartaches as the Haitians have. I can relate to them because of that. During the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, I was praying for my family and for the Lord to help the orphans, widows, and communities across Haiti that the earthquake affected. As a missionary, I want to feed the poor and meet some of their needs. I don’t desire to force my personal beliefs on them, but I
My biological father (on the left) and I when we met for the first time at the church. My dad’s name is Elikib Filias. Photo by Conor Ford.
Victoria,17 Pike High School Indianapolis, IN want them to see the evidence of my faith. By helping the broken, the hopeless, and those who don’t know how much Jesus loves them, I can glorify my heavenly Father.
Here is most of my family in the Troufondban village. From left to right, starting with Bettie (my sister in the pink), Malito (my nephew), myself, Edson (my nephew), Evelyn (my oldest sister), Kimberly (my niece), and Kimberly’s sister Djoulie (my niece). Photo by Marianne Brudwick.
I’m 18 years old now, reflecting upon everything I’ve been through, and finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. I still have a long way to go until I get to reach my goals; but, I keep looking for ways to make a difference in the community. Having a successful life, to me, means giving everything away, and living unselfishly for the benefit of others. God has blessed me with the opportunity to come to America. It is a miracle that I am alive, and that I am enrolled in College today. It’s heartbreaking that children in Haiti are nine times more likely to die before their sixth birthday, than children here in the United States. I hope to live to Katie,18 help change that sad statistic. Pike High School Indianapolis, IN
Common Core State Standards: English Language Arts, Writing, Production and Distribution of Writing • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.6 N SPI R E D 7
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Express Yourself 29
ENTREPRENEUR You Are Never Too Young to PICC Your Entrepreneurial Path We began working heavily on PICCPerfect during the spring semester of our Junior year at Babson College. Starting a business while being students is time consuming, challenging, exciting, and (thankfully) rewarding. We are PICCPerfect and we make fashionable and functional medical accessories for people undergoing long term treatment for chronic illness. Our first product is the PICCPerfect PICC line cover. Emily Levy is our CEO, Yousef Al-Humaidhi is our CFO, Maria del mar Gomez is our Marketing Director, and Hannah Conley is our Operations Manager. PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) lines are a long term IV treatment used to treat a variety of illnesses including cancer, endocarditis, gastroparesis, Lyme disease, bone infections, and countless others. PICCPerfect is a fully functional PICC line cover that stylishly provides secure and sanitary protection of the PICC line and allows for on-thego treatment. Being responsible for the operations of a business takes discipline and a serious time commitment. Between classes, homework, and attempting to have a social life, any and all free time is dedicated to the business. Thankfully, we have a strong team dynamic. We put a lot of effort into PICCPerfect, making sure we are happy when working on the business. We would not be here if we were not passionate about the company’s mission to help people with chronic illness, but we also take the time to have team bonding time outside of the work day. We have had a picnic, cooked countless dinners together, had movie nights etc. Because of the Babson San Francisco program and the Summer Venture Program at Babson, we have not only worked together but also lived together, and we knew we had to keep things fun if we were going to spend most of our time together. We are constantly challenged as young individuals to accomplish things we would not otherwise accomplish if we were not working on a startup. This is very 30 Inspired
Hannah Conley, 20 Senior PICCPerfect’s Operations Manager and Senior at Babson College
exciting. We won First Place at Purdue University’s entrepreneurship competition called The Big Sell granting us over $22,000 in cash and prizes. We over-
funded our Kickstarter, which raised $13,200 to pay for our first round of production which is now available for purchase on our website www.piccperfect.com <http:// www.piccperfect.com/> . We will also be a part of the WIN (Women Innovating Now) lab at Babson College this fall. The WIN lab is a year-long residency program and accelerator for women at Babson working on a business at any stage. Typically, we are the youngest team at business-related events we attend. While being undergraduate college students makes us feel like we have to work a little extra for credibility sometimes, being in college also provides a vast amount of resources. Experienced professors are always willing to help, which we are continuously thankful for. Departments like Babson College’s PR department have helped us from the beginning, and the College hosts many networking events, which are great for our building our networks. All in all, we would not have wanted to start this business any other way. To other students and kids out there, if you have an idea you’re passionate about, do not be afraid to start your business. You are never too young to be an entrepreneur. /InspiredKidsIndy
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Advanced EndoCare is a privately owned company by Dr. Kathryn Stuart. We specialize in endodontic therapy, including traumatic dental injuries. Our mission is to provide the highest quality of care in the Indianapolis area. Conveniently located off 116th Street in Fishers, we provide state of the art equipment and a very recently renovated office. Our general anesthesia suite is one of a kind and is fully staffed by a board certified medical anesthesiologist, endodontist and an operating room nurse, all on staff at St. Vincentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital. Patients with special needs, such as physical or mental disabilities, or complex medical conditions can be treated in our general anesthesia suite by our doctors and their own general dentist. Our generous spirit has led us to participate in Team Smile, which allowed us the privilege of providing our excellent dental skills to underprivileged children locally. Advanced EndoCare also supports Rileyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Make-A- Wish Foundation, United Christmas Service, Donated Dental Services of the IDA, and various orphanages and mission trips to Mexico, Ukraine, China and Nicaragua.
Kathryn G. Stuart, DDS, MSD Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics
FISHERS
8489 Fishers Centre Drive Fishers, IN 46038
317-578-2224
Express Yourself www.advanced-endocare.com
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Make your
passion your
profession
The time I spent in the military opened my eyes to the importance of serving one’s community. Bringing forward the values and principles the Marine Corps instilled in me has only enhanced my committment of service to my own community. I felt like I was being called to give back, so the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s programs are a great fit for me.” -Greg, B.A. student and former Marine
LiLLy famiLy schooL of phiLanthropy Improving Philanthropy to Improve the World
www.philanthropy.iupui.edu