SSS Project Update

For right now Shimmer, Sparkle, Shine project is kind of a waiting game. I am currently having the logo made by a CU graphic design student, and the logo is going to say SSS Project and have keys with it. The keys will be the symbol of Shimmer Sparkle Shine because it is a big part of the program. I explain to the girls that people are like keys. Every key is different, and has its own unique shape, and each key also has its unique purpose. Each key unlocks a different door to lead you down a different path. Same thing applies to people, each of us has our own purpose and road to experience in life.
I am also drafting the By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation right now. It is definitly a hard process, a big learning experience. I might make a draft, then have my mom's attourney look over it, and help me along the process. I think having help from someone who knows what they are doing will be a big help.
Part of becoming non-profit, is spending LOTS of money to the IRS to have tax exemption to be a 501(3)c. I don't have the money out of pocket for that, so I started to research fundraising options. There is this place my mom and I like to go to called Canvas and Cocktails. Each day is a different painting, and you sign up a head of time and learn how to paint that painting in a fun atmosphere, and it doesn't matter your skill level. Everyone's paintings come out like the one you signed up for. Well they do fundraiser nights where most of the profits made that night go to the orginazation. I am lucky enough to have them host me a funraising night on June 25. It does cost $40 a person, but it for a good cause. Besides, all supplies are incluided. Here is the link, and a picture of the painting.
https://www.canvasandcocktails.com/quick-signup.php?eventid=2349

I am hoping to raise alot of money that way.

In May I am doing my next Shimmer, Sparkle, Shine event with girls at my Taekwondo. It is going to be a little different this time. I am trying to put together a booklet full of activities, so that each event isn't always the same.

It is still going to start out the same, but instead of presenting the "Things We Find Beautiful" in a powerpoint, it will in photos, since a projector will not be an option.

Since this is for the girls in Taekwondo, we are adding a Taekwondo aspect of discussing the tenants of Taekwondo, which are like values to live by; Courtesy, Intergrity, Perserverance, Self-Control, and Indomiable Spirit. I have volunters assigned to each tenant, and they are going to present it to the girls in the fun way, and a way that they actually understand what it means.

Instead of doing Boost Books they will be doing About Me Broochures. It is kind of like a boost book, like they still get to decorate it, but they answers the questions in it, and it makes them have to think posativly about themselves to answer them. Then we will take the Broochurs and read information from some of them and have the girls guess who brochure it is, based off of the posative things. The goal is also for all the girls to relize each others talents, and grow closer together. (I still need to make this)

Then my master will play some games with them, because that is always a hit when he does it in class. They will enjoy "playing" with him, and that will be fun in an all girls zone.

Then some volunteers will lead them in games, and I take each girl one by one to take pictures of her for her photoshoot. Instead of them being glamour shots, I am having them in their uniform doing Taekwondo moves, to make them feel powerful.

Then for the ending, I will have my master give a speech to the girls, then I will do my normal closing stuff.

I am excited for the progress it is making! Stay Tuned! For info to come shortly hopefully.



Action; TKD Nationals in Dallas

This chapter of Action for CAS starts today, with my journey to Dallas, Texas for Nationals in Taekwondo. It is going to require lots of work, and I am ready to better myself in the process. I will be competing in Forms, along with Board Breaking, and possible blaster sparring. My goals for the journey to nationals are: 1) Collaborating Well with Others 2) Increase awareness of strengths and places for growth. I need to learn to collaborate well with others to rely for help on my teammates, who are also going to Nationals. I also need to work with others on fundraising to benefit everyone to have the chance to go to Nationals, and working with others to come up with a board breaking routine, and trusting them to hold my boards. I chose the second aim again because their is always room for improvement. I did place silver at state for forms, so I know I have many areas for growth to earn a gold at nationals. I want to constantly make myself better for the way to path to earn my black belt. Part of being a good student is always improving, you can never be perfect. The last day of nationals in July 4, so I plan on writing my final reflection for this experience then, and throughout the process. Lets have CTA bring home GOLD and became a NATIONAL CHAMPION SCHOOL!

Final Reflection for TKD State

State for Taekwondo went amazing! I received a silver for my forms, and a silver for blaster sparring. And I was lucky enough to walk away with a gold in Board Breaking. My goals for this process in Taekwondo was to show perseverance and commitment, along with being aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I want to end this chapter of Action for CAS and reflect on my year long journey in Taekwondo, and how everything led me to victory at state. When I joined Taekwondo, I had a hard time going my goal of 3 times a week. I would use homework as an excuse, and when I didn't have homework I used the excuse that I wanted to rest. I got motivated, then shortly after I suffered from my foot injury, and had to take a 6 month break. I started going again, but still had a hard time getting back into the game because my foot was still having pain. It made me not want to go, but with the news of State at the end of March I felt a motivation to start going. I had a goal to start going, and a time frame better yet, the goal for doing Taekwondo was broad, only wanting to receive my black belt, but this helped me get a specific goal of getting ready for state. This meant I had to put the two aims of this in mind, and a incorporate it into my life. I started going 3 times a week at the least, and I would also go on Saturday mornings to improve my forms one on one. I liked this one on one lessons because I really helped me to identify my strengths and weakness within my blue belt form for state. I learned that I am great at showing power and force, along with remembering the whole form. My problem came when I had to do a kick with my arm and leg parallel to each other. I had a hard time doing this, and keeping my balance while doing it as well. Another problem, was at the very end of the form, I have to kick, stop my foot when it touches the ground, do a back face fist, and balance on my toes. It wasn't only the whole action of doing that at the end, to make a strong ending, but the pressure I had to put on my injured foot. I practiced holding on to the wall and kicking and punching with my arm parallel over and over again. I also practiced the last move, creating a smaller amount of pain throughout my foot. I also learned that I have a strength in board breaking, and I am bold and willing to try many things, which thankfully led me to the gold at state. I broke one of the one inch thick boards with my head, along with many other techniques. This also helped me learn that I am stronger in my punches and hand movements then I am in kicking. I have less control of my body when I kick. I am very grateful that I was able to make a habit of going, and able to analyze the strengths and weaknesses. Winning the medals was such an amazing feeling because I felt like I worked hard for it and I deserved it. When other teammates would congratulate me, I felt like I worked for it. This was great for me, and helped my body physically. I close this chapter in CAS for Taekwondo; Mission: State. Nationals in Dallas here I come. Here are some pictures of my eventful day at state.

This is myself walking into the event, in my warm-up uniform.

Competing in Forms

My first round in Blaster Sparring, where I won against a first degree black belt male.

Waiting for the results after board breaking.

Myself with my master.

Afterwards by the mascot of the host school with my two silvers and one gold.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is going great! I am attending more practices, and my techniques are getting better. State is in two weeks and I am so excited and nervous. I haven't done a competition since I was a kid, so its like memories floating in my head. Having a metal around my neck for something that awesome will be such a great reward. I am doing blue belt form for forms for state. I am pretty good at it, minus the fact that my balance is shaking when making turns. I really need to work on that, and most importantly my ending foot jump stomp. It still hurts my foot injury, so I have to find a good balance of technique and lack of pain.
For state I am also doing board break where I come up with a routine, and do break about 5 boards. I decided to do hammer head attack to break my first board. (couldn't find picture) Then for my second board I plan to to an elbow strike.

Then I will reverse my body and do a normal punch to the third board.

Then I will break the fourth board with my favorite kick; an axe kick. It it where you kick your leg straight up, but when you bring it down, it is even faster.

Biggest one of all, I want to break the fifth one with my head, which I have never done before. EVER! It sounds like such an adrenalin rush, and I want to do it, but I need to practice it first of course. http://youtu.be/GI5y53y0NoI

It looks painful, but im excited. I decided that before I perform in front of people for the first time in years, I should perform it in a small crowd. Last Friday I did my church talent show, and I did my blue belt form, and my friend helped me with 3 step sparring. It was good to perform in front of people again, before the big scary STATE!



Keep You Posted!
Ciara

BIGGER AND BETTER!

BIGGER AND BETTER things are happening for Shimmer, Sparkle, Shine. It is currently going through the paperwork to be non profit which is amazing! I have people interested on being on the Board of Directors, and the by-laws and articles of confederation are written. Now its just the approval and IRS Tax Exemption Form. So exciting that I am only 17 and can make this kind of difference. Its alot of hard work, but yet I am learning so much.
The biggest problem is that it is going to cost over $700 to get tax exempt status from the IRS. So that led me to a great idea! This place I love to paint at with my mom and my friend is called Canvas and Cocktails. It is so fun because they teach you step by step how to paint the picture you signed up for, and it actually comes out nice. There is also a bar for people old enough to drink, and fun instructors and music. In the past they have held fundraiser nights, where all they money made goes towards the charity for the night. They make a lot of money doing this too!
I decided to go on a whim, and ask them if they could host a fundraiser night for us, so that we could have the funds to become a non-profit and they said yes! It will be some time in June, and I am so excited.
A logo is also being created for Shimmer, Sparkle, Shine which is exciting as well!
I also have another SSSP event scheduled for in May. It is going to be for the girls at my Taekwondo. Its going to have some similarities and differences then the last event. The biggest changes is first the fact that we are going to incorporate the tenants of Taekwondo into it, which are like values.

Boost books will still be done, along with group discussions, but instead of glamour shots they will be motion shots. Instead of them doing hair and nails with older girls, they are going to get dressed in their Taekwondo uniform, and get pictures done of them doing taekwondo so that they can see themselves in power! Plus, motion is hard for me to do in photography, so this will be great practice!
They also love to play Taekwondo games with Master Andre so some of that will be in there as well. Going to be great!

On a personal note, I decided that Shimmer, Sparkle, Shine Project is my life calling. I feel a burning in my heart every time I go to do it, or think about it. This is why I am here, to make girls happy about who they are. So I decided to go to collage to pursue this. I want a minor in non-profit management, and a major in sociology of physiology. Have to do more research on that aspect, but who knew that CAS would help me find my life calling!

Reflection for the Shimmer Sparkle Shine Project Event 1

My first event for the Shimmer, Sparkle Shine Project went AMAZING! I am so glad to have the opportunity to spread the message that girls should love themselves. When I started out with the Shimmer Sparkle Shine Project I had two goals for my learning outcomes. Through the first 3 girls on an individual level, and planning the first event I achieved these. The first was to Engage in An Issue of Social Importance and the second was to Collaborate With Others.

Before I get into my reflection, I want to give an outline of the event, and Shimmer Sparkle Shine's ways to help raise girls self esteem.
The first thing we did was start off with a discussion and get to know you. It started off with all the girls having to introduce themselves along with one thing that they like about who they are. Then Carleigh and I both had power points on things we find beautiful. I talked about my mom along with other family members and friends. I also discussed how I find keys beautiful. My theory behind that was that a key is like a person. Each key is different and unique and is different then other keys. Each key is different, and serves a different purpose. It can also unlock different doors or "opportunities" that are unique to that key or person. I some how want to incorporate this into Shimmer Sparkle Shine.



The next activity was "Boost Books" which I got as an idea from the Dove Self Esteem Campaign. The whole point of the book is to put things inside of it that can cheer you up when you are down like pictures or quotes. I covered basic notebooks in paper before hand, then at the event the girls were able to decorate them with stickers and paper to be unique for them. The volunteers also all brought in an insperational quote to put in the girls gift bags to have them put into their Boost Books.




After that was games, then lunch. The girls enjoyed a Nacho Buffet, then snacked on cupcakes that were made and donated from the Bagel Bakery in Thornton.




Followed by lunch was fun makeover time. All of the volunteers did the girls hair and makeup for their photoshoots. This gave a more one on one aspect between the girl and volunteer with a big sister like relationship. The volunteers and girls seemed to match up perfectly together and create a relationship. It was great to see all ages bonding together and involved.




Followed by this was a photoshoot done for each girl by Carleigh and myself. This way each girl had photos of them to take home that they could have too look back on and reflect on how their real beauty shines through. ( critique of photography to come later)


After that Silver (a volunteer) entertained the girls with games. Then it was closing all the girls came in front of the group one by one and shared what they learned, and received their goody bags with girly stuff donated from Clairs and others!

My first goal was to focus on an issue of global importance. Everything described above sums up how I did it. From here I plan to continue the process of making it a non profit this summer to effect even more girls.

The second goal defiantly came through as a learning outcome which was to collaborate with others. Initially I thought of this as communication between me and the girls, but it went in a different direction. It first started off as way of communication between Carleigh and myself. Carleigh was the one who helped me plan the event. I had to make sure that I wasn't overpowering and that I included her ideas as well. I also had to make sure to include her in the decision making process. We are both very involved people, so it was hard to get together alot, but we made it work.

The next form of collaboration was between myself and the volunteers. I needed help from them to make it all possible. They all helped with the set up, running the actual event, the makeovers, and clean up. It is sometimes hard to put yourself out there with a need for help but it went amazingly well. Every volunteer was excited and had a positive mind frame about the project. Some girls had amazing ideas for us to incorporate in. The volunteers also learned just as much about themselves and their self esteem in my opinion. For myself personally I help myself when I help others, and I think the volunteers were the same way. Some of them were emotional through the day because of the impact we had on the girls. It was great to have the volunteers.



The last collaboration was with Clairs in 16th Street Mall. We contacted them with our idea, and the manager along with the others at that location donated jewelry, makeup, and hair pieces for the girls gift bags. It was amazing!




Another key element was not only the service portion, but the creative side as well. It was just like throwing party planning. Decorations had to be made, goodie bags, and games.




The last goal was to improve my photography. Lighting is sometimes an issue for me, and I really wanted to improve that element. I also like focuses on zooms in of the face, because I find the face a beautiful element to be focused on, and is overall what Shimmer Sparkle Shine is about. It is difficult to work with some girls over others. I just had to figure them out, and get to know them so I could make them comfortable to be themselves and take pictures that reflect them. I did take pictures of my first little girl who has glasses, and after wards I was going through the photos and noticed that her glasses reflected in the photos. That is something I have to be aware of for the future, and learn how to avoid the reflection. Each picture below is my favorite from each girl I photographed.











This is only the start of Shimmer Sparkle Shine. It is going places, and is going to effect a lot of people. Exciting!
Ciara