Nkongho B. and Christina D. try out their journalism and photography skills

At the Together Forever show on August 28, 2010, Y.E.A.H. students tried on the careers of their dreams as they interviewed and photographed celebrities and guests at our Kids ofHonor^® fundraising event. After a lively and energetic performance, Rebecca Holden and Kevin Sasaki graciously granted interview and photography time to Nkongho and Christina.This interview is by Nkongho B. And the photos by Christina D.

Nkongho B- What did you study in college? What was your major?
Kevin Sasaki- Well I studied many subjects, but I ended up graduating as an English major. What do you do with an ENGLISH major you might ask? Well you can do a lot. But today I work in Public Relations.
NB- Along with working in Public relations, do you also enjoy performing today?
Sasaki- I absolutely LOVE what I do! I enjoy the fact that I can just pack up and go from place to place with no other obligations. As a matter of fact, traveling here to the eastern shore was one of the farthest places we’ve ever traveled.
NB- What kind of music do you enjoy listening to? Any artists of today that you enjoy?
Sasaki- I really enjoy Steve Lawrence- A lot of people say I sound like him. (laughs) I also really enjoy, of course, Frank Sinatra, and I think Michael Buble is an awesome artist bringing back the type of music I sing to youth like you today.
NB- Is there a quote that you live by day to day?
Sasaki- “If you believe it, you can achieve it.”
*Mr. Sasaki not only sounds extremely like Frank Sinatra but he is also very concerned with today’s youth, and hopes that they also appreciate the music that he sings.

NB- What do you enjoy the most about performing?
Rebecca Holden- I really love doing duets and singing songs where I can really get pumped up singing with my partner!
NB-  Who are some of your favorite artist of today?
Holden- I’m not really much of a fan of the MUSIC, artist make, I am more in tune with the lyrics and the VOICE of a particular artist. I think singers like Katherine McPhee and Carrie Underwood have great voices.
NB- Are there any quotes that you live by?
Holden- “To serve god”. I believe that we ALL have inherit gifts and things that we are good at, and that we should just enhance them and live out our talents to the fullest.

*It should be noted that Rebecca has an exceptional warm and vibrant personally. Recently she has flown and helped out with the cause in Ethiopia.

Y.E.A.H. Dreams...

This year we recorded our hopes and dreams.  This poster is our testimony as we pledged  to support each other, reach for success, and challenge our friends. We believe that Nothing is impossible! Together we can all achieve! 

As a group, Y.E.A.H. set a goal: “To try something new.”

Individually, each of us has hopes and dreams:

“Go to school and become a social worker or possible teacher” – M.B.
“Never take anything for granted” – S.H.
“Pass to be a Senior”- T.F.“
Graduate c/o 2009” – A.A.
“Cut back on my snacks”- A.T.
“Live life to the fullest” – S.H.“
Graduate c/o 2009”- T.S.“
Travel the world”- T.S.
“Successful” - S. H.
“Get a part time job”- A. C.
“Reach for the unreachable”- A. A.
“Peruse a life of pharmacy” – A.T.
“To Stop Playing Games”- A. T.
“Never Quit”- A. A.
“Reach for the stars”- S. H.
“Strive for more better things in life” A.A.
“Always smile” – D. J.
“Go to college” D. J.
“Make my own shoe under Nike” – T.S.
“Be more cautious” – D.J.
“Don’t let anyone walk over me.” D.F.
“Never put myself down for something that I won’t do” D.F
.“To someday bare children” A.T.
“Always do me, not what others want me to be”
 “Stop world hunger” T.S.
“To become a pediatric nurse” J.M.
“Be unstoppable, successful, loving and kind” M.B.

Nathan...

‘You connected the dots for Nathan.” That’s what Nathan’s mother told the Kids of Honor^® Board of Directors.  Nathan’s story is similar to many at Kids of Honor^®. It involves young people and the network of caring adults that listen to their needs and connect them to resources.  Nathan was lucky enough to meet Ms. Ross, the WISE afterschool coordinator at Wicomico Middle school.  Nathan, a smart young man, was starting to goof off in the classroom.  Ms. Ross identified Nathan as A Kid of Honor and then, Ms Paula got engaged with Nathan. Kids of Honor^® then recognized Nathan’s talents and connected Nathan to the Youth Leadership Academy where Nathan met Dr. Whitehead.  At the Youth Leadership academy, Nathan met the speaker, Dr. Greenfield who introduced Nathan to Shaw University where Nathan is a Presidential Scholar and Student Ambassador.  Connecting young people to the resources they need, Kids of Honor^® creates a tight web of support.  

Give us an opportunity and we’ll tell you about Alicia, Sade, Lucie, and many more students we’ve connected to their sparks and dreams.

Rebecca Writes...

My appreciation for the funds of this scholarship is immeasurable.  Receiving this scholarship gets me closer to obtaining the education to pursue my dreams as a chef.  This has been my dream since childhood.  I grew up in the little town of Libertytown, outside Berlin, MD then moving to Salisbury after my parents separated at the age of eight. I knew I had to find something to occupy my time and keep my mind off the memories of my parent’s separation.  This was when the love of cooking began.  Helping family make dinner and making baked goods allowed me to see that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to.  Looking up to my grandmother as she made many Hispanic dishes had an influence on my culinary dream.  My uncle as he went back to college at the age of forty to obtain an associate’s degree in culinary arts inspired me even more and bonded our relationship even more.  Starting to pursue my dream early I enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program at Parkside CTE, gave me the experience to enter the real world directly out of high school.  In my spare time I give back to my community through Local Owner Restaurant Association fundraisers, by serving at various events.  Graduating with a Scholar and Technical diploma felt outstanding.  My educational goals now are to obtain my Associates degree as a full time student at Wor-Wic Community college my Associates degree further my education at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and receive my Bachelors degree in Culinary Arts.  Through the generosity of your scholarship, I will be able to accomplish my dreams of becoming a chef.  While accomplishing my dream I hope to help others accomplish their dreams in various ways.

Kameron is the Annual Winner at Horizons

When asked to write an essay titled ‘What Horizons and Kids of Honor means to me’, Kameron responded:

It means the future to me.  It is very important that we try our best.  I would be honored to show the world what I have achieved and learned from Horizons & Kids of Honor.  Horizons has helped me for 8 years through the good and bad. 1 year I remember when they helped me learn how to write.  Another year they gave me some lessons on dancing and music. Kids of Honor helps me get a shot at my scholarship so I don’t have to give my parents a hard time.  It would be an honor to be presented with the scholarship and to be part of your club.

Nkongho enjoys Y.E.A.H. Activities!

Nkongho, a high school junior, now believes nothing is impossible.  After joining the Kids of Honor High School club, Y.E.A.H., she says she has the resources to do things she only dreamt possible. Like her Kids of Honor peers, she will graduate and pursue her dreams of becoming a writer.