RISE EMAG

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RISE eMag highlights the Rise Awards. On Friday, November 7, 2014, Y Pierre Productions presented The 2014 RISE Awards, a black tie, red carpet event honoring and celebrating the accomplishments of three (3) honorees and five (5) recipients with Down syndrome (Ds) who are making a difference.

RISE stands for Rising in Spite of Expectations. The RISE Awards was created to enlighten and inspire the audience of the achievements of individuals with Down syndrome that’s making a difference by highlighting and celebrating their stories.

Less than 40 years ago, it was a common practice to institutionalize individuals with Down syndrome and various disabilities restricting their human rights to an education, resources and therapies needed.

Today, over 90% of abortions are due to the detection of Down syndrome. Over 50% of children put into the adoption system are children with disabilities.

Too often we hear about limitations and things that persons with Ds are incapable of, but some are musicians, actors, painters, dancers, advocates, teacher assistants, college students, entrepreneurs and graduates. But these are the stories that are not often seen or heard. RISE is a platform utilized to tell these stories and further spread positive awareness.

The 2014 RISE Awards was held at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community in Decatur, GA. For more information about the awards, visit www.TheRiseAwards.com and also join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hyhriseawards.

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CATERED BY KJ'S KANDI KOATED WINGS RED CARPET SERVICE BY ATL RED CARPET ANNOUNCEMENTS BY ACTRESS MONICA ANDERSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER CINEMATOGRAPHY BY A SCREAMING BABY PRODUCTIONS

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HOSTED BY Actor & Recording Artist Justin Mise PRE-SHOW ANNOUNCEMENTS by Actress Monica Anderson

OPENING PERFORMANCES Viva-Brazil 6 Honoree Sean Sieleni 10 Award presented by Mark Smith on behalf of the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta Honoree Bernadette Resha 12 Award Presented by Dr. Tracie Rosser on behalf of Emory University Department of Human Genetics PERFORMANCES BY The God Sent Project (TGSP) 15

Honoree Sujeet Desai 16 Award presented by David Blanchard on behalf of Parent to Parent of GA Award Recipients Dhahran Hart, Gloria Huerta, 19 Jr., Grace Carter, Haile King Rubie & Olivia Brosseau Awards presented by Dr. Stephanie Sherman on behalf of Emory University Department of Human Genetics PERFORMANCES BY Sujeet Desai & Leaf 27 CLOSING 29

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OPENING PERFORMANCES VIVA-BRAZIL “Percussion Piece” & “I Got a Feeling Rio Remix” by Will.I.Am PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER CINEMATOGRAPHY BY A SCREAMING BABY PRODUCTIONS

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THE 2014 RISE AWARDS SPONSORED by

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HOSTED BY ACTOR & RECORDING ARTIST

JUSTIN MISE

JR. PRESENTERS LOCKHEED ES GIRL & BOY SCOUT TROOP

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER CINEMATOGRAPHY BY A SCREAMING BABY PRODUCTIONS

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“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are.

When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

- Paulo Coelho

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SEAN SIELENI

2014 RISE Awards Honoree

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER

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THE 2014 RISE AWARDS HONORS SEAN SIELENI Sean is a 14-year-old Special Olympian from Minnesota.

Since becoming an athlete at the age of 8, he has done his own fundraising for the Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge and has even taken the icy-water plunge for the last two years. He has made tie blankets for a senior citizens care center with his “Peer and Leadership Society” (P.A.L.S.) and delivered them to the care center for Christmas.

He participates in “Spread the Word” to end the use of the Rword in our schools by holding banner signing events.

In November of 2013, he and 12 other students performed in the Special Olympics play, “It’s Our School, Too,” in front of 4000 educators and school administrators for the National Association of Middle Level Educators, and continues to perform this play for schools all over the district. The play teaches about the importance of inclusion, acceptance of those with intellectual disabilities and the effects of the use of the R-word.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER CINEMATOGRAPHY BY A SCREAMING BABY PRODUCTIONS

Sean’s award was presented by MARK SMITH on behalf of the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta (DSAA). For more information about DSAA, visit www.dsaatl.org

Sean, thank you for being an example of what it means to RISE.

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2014 RISE Awards Honoree

BERNADETTE RESHA 12 THE 2014 RISE AWARDS – Rising in Spite of Expectations - www.TheRiseAwards.com

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER

THE 2014 RISE AWARDS HONORS BERNADETTE RESHA Born in Nashville, TN with Down syndrome, Bernadette Resha has become well known worldwide within the art community, whose exposure to the art world started as a child Attending as many art galleries, museums, concert halls and plays as her time would allow, she was encouraged to draw and color in her own style as a form of expression and therapy. With an artist grandmother and a mother fully committed to allowing her to use this medium of self-expression for as far as she would care to take it, Bernadette now exhibits in numerous art galleries, art and craft shows throughout southeast and attends conventions throughout the US showing and selling her work.

Bernadette’s award was presented by DR. TRACIE ROSSER, Senior Research Down syndrome Project Coordinator at Emory University, Department of Human Genetics.

For more information about Emory’s Down Syndrome Clinic, visit http://genetics.emory.edu/DSC/index.php PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER CINEMATOGRAPHY BY A SCREAMING BABY PRODUCTIONS

Bernadette, thank you for being an example of what it means to RISE. 13 THE 2014 RISE AWARDS – Rising in Spite of Expectations - www.TheRiseAwards.com

“There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty.”

- Steve Maraboli

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PERFORMANCES THE GOD SENT PROJECT (TGSP) “Beautiful” by Mali Music & “Rise” an Original Song by TGSP PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER CINEMATOGRAPHY BY A SCREAMING BABY PRODUCTIONS

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SUJEET DESAI

2014 RISE Awards Honoree

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THE 2014 RISE AWARDS – Rising in Spite of Expectations - www.TheRiseAwards.com

THE 2014 RISE AWARDS HONORS SUJEET DESAI Sujeet is an accomplished musician born with Down syndrome. He plays seven instruments that include the trumpet, piano and drums. Currently he plays music in community churches, nursing homes, senior centers, and hospitals to bring joy to those away from home and family. Outside of music, Sujeet has a 2nd degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, a winner of Gold and Silver medals in the World Games Special Olympics in Swimming, Alpine skiing, Crosscountry running and Bowling.

Sujeet’s continuing mission is to prove that given opportunities for their abilities; individuals with disabilities can “Make It Happen!”

Sujeet’s award was presented by DAVID BLANCHARD on behalf of Parent to Parent of Georgia.

For more information about Parent to Parent of Georgia, visit http://p2pga.org.

Sujeet, thank you for being example of what it means to RISE.

an PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER CINEMATOGRAPHY BY A SCREAMING BABY PRODUCTIONS

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“When you focus on someone's disability you'll overlook their abilities, beauty and uniqueness. Once you learn to accept and love them for who they are, you subconsciously learn to love yourself unconditionally.”

- Yvonne Pierre

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2014 RISE Award Recipient

DHARHRAN HART 19

THE 2014 RISE AWARDS – Rising in Spite of Expectations - www.TheRiseAwards.com PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER

GLORIA HUERTA, JR.

2014 RISE Award Recipient

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER

2014 RISE Award Recipient

GRACE CARTER 21 THE 2014 RISE AWARDS – Rising in Spite of Expectations - www.TheRiseAwards.com

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER

HAILE KING RUBIE

2014 RISE Award Recipient

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER

THE 2014 RISE AWARDS RECIPIENTS ARE DHAHAN HART, GLORIA HUERTA, JR., GRACE CARTER, HAILE KING RUBIE AND OLIVIA BROSSEAU

DHAHRAN HART

is a drummer, loves to dance

and has a children’s book written about him, “Dude Has Downs”, authored by Celeste Hart. He is also an Ambassador for the “NC Race for Research” road race that benefits cognitive research for Down syndrome.

GLORIA HUERTA, JR. is a dancer and advocate with Down syndrome. Excelling in Polynesian dance, Gloria is an exceptionally beautiful and loving soul that is named after her mother and active in her mother’s outreach and ministry for the homeless in California.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER CINEMATOGRAPHY BY A SCREAMING BABY PRODUCTIONS

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GRACE CARTER rises above all challenges. Finding joy in every activity from dancing to horseback riding, Grace just loves life! She has undergone heart surgery, discrimination at school, a major move, academic challenges and is featured in an international photo exhibit and on their website “Positive Exposure.” She is also featured in an educational app series teaching sign language and ability awareness called “Sign Me a Story”

HAILE KING RUBIE

is an artist with Down

syndrome that has been painting since age four and has created a world of art with no formal training.

Despite his recent hospitalization for emergency heart surgery, Haile has continued his craft and has over 100 original painting in his collection and recently gave a generous art donation to Mount Sinai’s in New York City: the hospital that saved his life! Though Haile practices martial arts, plays the drums, and loves to cook, his passion is painting beautiful pieces of art.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER CINEMATOGRAPHY BY A SCREAMING BABY PRODUCTIONS

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OLIVIA BROSSEAU

is a nineteen-year-old young lady with Down syndrome that is

determined to make a difference in the Down syndrome community. She has worked with various advocacy groups, created a blog and uses Facebook to raise awareness. Olivia was accepted into Down

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syndrome in Arts and Media: a casting liaison service for individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities who want to be actors and models. Olivia is passionate about minimizing the struggles of her peers, ending bullying and working to eliminate the “R” word and replacing it with “RESPECT”! Olivia is not here to accept her award, but she sent a video recording of her acceptance speech.

The recipients were presented with their awards by DR. STEPHANIE SHERMAN, Head Researcher for Down syndrome at Emory University, Department of Human Genetics in Atlanta, GA. For more information about the Down syndrome Clinic,

visit http://genetics.emory.edu/DSC/index.php

Dhahran, Gloria, Grace, Haile and Olivia thank you all for being an example of what it means to RISE.

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PERFORMANCE BY LEAF “Keep On Rising” an Original Song PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER CINEMATOGRAPHY BY A SCREAMING BABY PRODUCTIONS

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PERFORMANCES BY HONOREE

SUJEET DESAI

“Canon in D”(Piano) by Johann Pachelbel & “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” (Alto Sax) Elton John

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER CINEMATOGRAPHY BY A SCREAMING BABY PRODUCTIONS

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CLOSING REMARKS EXEC

PRODUCER YVONNE PIERRE

Accompanied by Her Inspiration, Her Son ZYON

FINALE PERFORMANCE VIVA-BRAZIL “Motumba”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHARTER TYLER CINEMATOGRAPHY BY A SCREAMING BABY PRODUCTIONS

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SPECIAL THANKS TO: KJ's Kandi Koated Wings ATL Red Carpet Charter Taylor A Screaming Baby Productions Lockheed ES Girl & Boy Scout Troop DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Downtown Metro Executive Atlanta Limo Buses Shaneque Metellus Michelle Pierre Juanita Napper Steffan Cooks Nya Pierre Fran Briggs Adiclere Hunter Konahe Jernigan Viviana Fernandez Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta Parent to Parent of Georgia Emory University Down Syndrome Research Department Justin Mise Monica Anderson Viva-Brazil The God Sent Project Leaf Sujeet Desai Alysa Armstrong-Gibbs ALL Volunteers & Audience Members THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION IN MAKING THIS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE! 30 THE 2014 RISE AWARDS – Rising in Spite of Expectations - www.TheRiseAwards.com

CHECK OUT THE 2011 RISE RECIPENTS AT http://issuu.com/ypierre/docs/rise

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To see more photos, red carpet interviews and more, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hyhriseawards

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www.TheRiseAwards.com

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