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62nd MLC Youth & Government in Sacramento
Twenty-eight students and three advisors from the Tri-Valley YMCA Youth & Government Program took part in a five day conference in Sacramento, February 11-15, 2010, which culminated the Model Legislature & Court Program year. Our delegation was among 2,500 students from YMCA’s around the state who participated using the actual chambers of the State Supreme Court, Assembly and Senate to do work of state government while producing a daily newspaper to cover all the developments. The delegations had been preparing for six months for this conference by attending weekly meetings and two preparatory conferences in central California.
The freshman division of Youth & Government is called Forum and several of our 9th graders distinguished themselves:
Jordan Nally – Speaker of the Assembly
Grant Bonham – Senate Clerk
Vidya Awasty – Assembly Clerk
Madison Brinnan – Senator of the Year
Morgan Ingram – runner-up Senator of the Year
Dena Benham –Editor-in-Chief of the Forum Press
Edward Wang – Editor of the Forum Press
The freshman forum was not the only success story of the weekend as Albi Solana came home with PAC (Political Action Committee) Team Award for his leadership and initiative as a lobbyist. At the weekly delegation meetings preceding this conference, each delegation is required to write at least one bill to bring to Sacramento for the Senate and Assembly to debate. Annie Dulka, the Tri-Valley’s bill sponsor, wrote and debated a bill that seeks to amend the elections code to allow a person that is defined as homeless to use a homeless shelter as their place of residency for the purpose of voting. Her bill quickly moved through the Assembly and went on to the Senate. We are still awaiting word if the Youth Governor, Oliver Mittelstaedt, signed it into “law”.
On “VIP Day”, Friday, February 12, Kelly O’Lague Dulka, Executive Director of the Tri-Valley YMCA, hosted several members of the Tri-Valley YMCA’s Board of Managers along with six faculty members from PUSD for an immersion experience to learn first-hand about Youth & Government.
Overall, this was a weekend that the students and visitors will never forget! Over the last six months, students not only learned and modeled the real legislature and court, but created a bond with one another and a sense of self-empowerment. One of our students, Arany Uthayakumar, wrote of her experience: “Being in this delegation and program has taught me new skills, given me memorable experiences, and changed me as a person. I no longer am content with just sitting around when it comes to state issues… now I feel that we should have an urgency to DO something”.
If you would like to learn more about this truly life-changing experience, contact Jeff Atwood at 925-475-6112 or email jatwood@ymcaeastbay.org.
10TH ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST
There’s something special about a tenth anniversary and was that ever true for the nearly 200 guests who attended the 10th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellowship Breakfast on Monday, Jan. 25th. The event was organized by the Tri-Valley YMCA and held at the Marriott Pleasanton. Dr. King’s legacy was celebrated in words, music and song. After a delicious breakfast, DeRionne Pollard, President of Las Positas College, delivered the keynote address focusing on compassion as the heart of Dr. King’s legacy. Dr. Pollard’s ebullient spirit and heartfelt conviction energized everyone present to take to heart the theme quote from Martin Luther King, Jr., “Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
B.E.A.T.S. Crew, a performance group from Milpitas, captured the hearts of many with their creative interpretation of the John Lennon hit, Imagine, followed by a song written by the group called Brave New World.
Four leaders from the Tri-Valley area were honored with Legacy Awards for their outstanding service: Mish Denlinger and Ivery Johnson for education, John Chen for business, and Sandra Lepley for volunteerism. These leaders’ many and varied accomplishments on behalf of others are a living reminder that doing good for others, especially the poor and vulnerable, is its own reward and an inspiration to others.
The Tri-Valley YMCA is grateful to all who attended this gathering early on a rainy Monday morning, and to all the many people who made this 10th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellowship Breakfast a moving and memorable event!
Tri-Valley YMCA receives $1,500 from Colliers International Links for Life Foundation for Mentoring
The Tri-Valley YMCA Awarded a Grant
The Tri-Valley YMCA received a $2,000 grant from Hacienda Helping Hands, a collaborative project of Hacienda and the Tri-Valley Community Foundation. The grant money was presented at the First Annual Grant Awards Celebration on Dec. 9th at the Faz Restaurant in Pleasanton. 22 non-profit organizations received grant awards at a celebration which included music and song, speeches by Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty and Pleasanton Mayor Jennifer Hosterman. The event was mc’d by Mark Curtis, and the awards were presented by James Paxson, General Manager, Hacienda Owners Association.
The grant money awarded to the Tri-Valley YMCA will help fund our mentoring program which started about a year ago. The goal of this mentoring program is to match at-risk middle school students from the Tri-Valley with mature adults who have been thoroughly trained and screened. For more information about mentoring, please contact Tim Stier at 925-475-6107 or tstier@ymcaeastbay.org. Mentors make a real difference in the lives of middle school students as they help them reach their full potential. We are very grateful to Hacienda Helping Hands for this grant award.
Youth & Government Delegates Take State by Storm
The Tri-Valley YMCA's Youth & Government delegation participated in the first of two Training & Elections conferences at Camp Roberts National Guard Base in Paso Robles this past weekend. The 19 student delegation was among 2,200 high school students from across the State gathered to discuss political issues and nominate and elect delegates for State offices. These two conferences are in preparation for the Model Legislature & Court conference in February during which the Youth and Government delegates take over Sacramento to enact laws and adjudicate court cases in the actual chambers of our State government.
The Tri-Valley delegation made their mark at Camp Roberts as Vidya Awasty and Grant Bonham, Amador Valley High School freshmen, won statewide positions in the Forum (the freshmen component of Youth & Government). Vidya was elected Assembly Clerk and Grant Bonham was elected Senate Clerk. The success of the Tri-Valley YMCA delegation did not stop there as Madison Brinnon and Jordan Nally, also Amador Valley High School freshmen, received enough votes to become finalists in their quest to serve as Forum Lt. Governor and Forum Speaker of the Assembly, respectively. They will continue on to the final elections to be held at the second Training & Elections Conference in January.
The weekend also included time for fun and entertainment. At night, students were able to attend the ever popular dances, and also participate in the inaugural California Idol in which students sang heartily while "Randy", "Paula" and the infamous "Simon" judged them. The top performers received gold tickets to perform again in Sacramento.
All in all, it was an amazing weekend during which students from the Tri-Valley and wider community came together for a hands-on learning experience in State governance. It is the first time in recent memory that a member of the Tri-Valley YMCA delegation has been elected to statewide office, let alone two, with the potential for four! Congratulations to the Tri-Valley YMCA Youth & Government delegation!
Dr Martin Luther King, Jr Spirit Award Nominations
The Tri-Valley YMCA is asking for nominations from the Tri-Valley area in the following categories: Business/Civic Leader; Educator; Community Leader/Volunteer. Anyone may nominate one person in each category. Those nominated should reflect in some way the spirit and example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The award recipients will be recognized at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellowship Breakfast on Monday, January 25, 2010 at the Marriott Hotel in Pleasanton.
Nomination forms are available at the Tri-Valley YMCA. Forms must be received no later than Friday, January 8, 2010.
For more information, contact Tim Stier, tstier@ymcaeastbay.org or (925)475-6107.
Lights On After School
The Tri-Valley YMCA operates three Y-Kids sites at three elementary schools in Pleasanton: Mohr, Fairlands and Lydiksen. These sites offer before and after school care and also pre-K programs. On Thursday Oct. 22nd, all three sites participated in Lights On After School, a project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to quality, affordable afterschool programs. This event is celebrated nationwide to call attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America’s children, families and communities.
Parents brought delicious pot luck dinner offerings to share with kids, siblings, and staff for a very enjoyable evening of fellowship, food, and fun activities. There were almost 300 people in attendance! It was obvious to all that Y-Kids programs offer real learning, community, and core values such as caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Honors and Cheers for Outstanding Volunteers
Heartfelt applause and cheers welcomed Keith McKay and Cheyenne Lofthouse-Wolf to the stage at the YMCA of the East Bay’s 2009 Volunteer Recognition Dinner. Keith was honored as the Tri-Valley YMCA Volunteer of the Year, and Cheyenne was named the branch’s 2009 Youth of Character.
Keith McKay’s leadership in organizing the YMCA Golf Tournament gives him ample opportunity to benefit his community by collaborating with others on meaningful work. When the tournament meets its goals by successfully raising greatly needed funds, Keith sees it as an accomplishment of all the volunteers. That collaborative effort creates a feeling of accomplishment that Keith finds most satisfying; i.e. working with others to help those less fortunate. It puts everything else in life “in perspective,” he says.
At the young age of 14, Cheyenne Lofthouse-Wolf already has 10 summers of YMCA camp to her credit—first as a camper and now as a Counselor in Leadership Training. She also lends a hand at Tri-Valley’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellowship Breakfast, the Pinewood Derby and Healthy Kids Day. Cheyenne brings her own spirit of caring and fun to everything she does.
The dinner also celebrated the YMCA’s 130th anniversary in Oakland. The evening’s theme, “Come Home to the Y,” gave speakers like Board Chairman Richard Leweke and CEO Robert Wilkins the opportunity to reflect on the role the YMCA played in their youth and how the YMCA of the East Bay is positioned for the next century of building stronger kids, families and communities throughout Alameda and West Contra Costa counties.
Y-Princess Del Valle Campout a Success!
The Tri-Valley Y-Princesses program (Wolf Nation) had their fall campout at the Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore the weekend of October 9-11. The group of girls (Pre-K through 6th grade) and their dads were fortunate enough to have beautiful fall weather for the whole weekend. The weekend kicked off with most dads and daughters arriving late Friday afternoon in time to setup their tents and enjoy an evening of dinner by the campfire, s'mores and stories.
Saturday started early with a welcome from our Nation Chief and several Princess groups trying out new tribe songs on the rest of the Nation. Various activities unfolded throughout the day, including sports activities, hiking, swimming and the yearly trek to Joans Pumpkin Patch for a run through the corn maze, hay ride, pony rides and the petting zoo.
After the second camp-side dinner, the girls started just after dusk to walk the Aims Trail where they recite the six aims of the Y-Princess program. The trail ends at the outdoor amphitheater where the entire Nation inducted new Big Braves (dads) and Little Princesses (daughters) into the program, welcomed a new tribe (the Miwok) and each tribe of girls performed a skit onstage. In between skits, a number of volunteers led the whole nation through a number of classic camp songs, including There Was a Moose, Aristishaw, Rain, and more. Many felt that the skits this year were the best group of skits in several years. After the show, the girls fell into their tents and the campground was surprisingly quiet compared to Friday night.
Sunday finished with a non-denominational sunrise service, a closing ceremony and individual scavenger hunts for the girls while the dads packed up the cars & trucks. The weekend finished uneventfully, with little drama, few tears, and many happy memories.
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Second Annual Golf Tournament and Auction
On Monday, May 4th, the clouds parted over Ruby Hill Golf Club in Pleasanton as nearly 100 golfers gathered for 18 holes of scramble format golf (4 chances to make that perfect shot) followed by cocktail and live auctions and dinner. The golf competition was intense but friendly with the winning foursome posting a score of 56.
During the golf tournament, women gathered in the clubhouse for a make-over event. Japonesque donated gift bags for the women at a value of $100.
At dinner, Heather Quarterman of KKIQ 101.7 FM Radio announced the raffle prize winners. The auctioneer was Damon Casatico from Charity Benefit Auctions. The Tri-Valley YMCA thanks all the individuals and companies that supported this major fundraising effort. All the proceeds go towards building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities here in the Tri-Valley.