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Aspiring Youth 8th Annual “Reaching for the Stars” Gala
On Friday, May 18 at the Houston Country Club

   
             
     
Mark your calendars for May 18th, and plan to have fun at our 8th annual “Reaching for the Stars” Gala on Friday evening at the Houston Country Club. Charles and Jana Fay Bacarisse are this year's Honorary Co-Chairs, and Doug Dawson will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Pete and the Boys will be back to entertain us with country swing music as we enjoy a fantastic dinner and an enticing silent auction. Attire will be “Boots and Suits” and/or cocktail, so polish those boots!
   
             
    Please plan to be with us as we honor leading community members for their contributions to at-risk youth. This year's "Reaching for the Stars" Awards Dinner will honor:
   
   

•  Oliver Luck - "Star of Youth" Award
•  McConnell, Jones, Lanier & Murphy - "Corporate Star for Youth" Award
•  Missouri City Chapter of The Links - "Community Star" Award
•  Judge Caroline Baker - "Star for Girls' Education" Award

    
   
             
   

9th Annual “College for a Day” at TSU

   
             
     

On March 3rd, nearly 300 students from five middle schools in North Forest ISD and Houston ISD participated in "College for a Day" at Texas Southern University. Through the collaborative efforts of Aspiring Youth, the Missouri City Chapter of The Links and TSU, the students had a rare chance to truly see what attending college might be like. The event was held in TSUs’ spectacular new Math, Science and Technology building.

    
             
   
Above, from left to right, left to right:
Evelyn Thornton, President, Missouri City Chapter of the Links, Gina Gaston, Channel 13 anchorwoman, Brigadier General Retired J. Timothy Brodie, Interim President TSU, and Karen Davis, Executive Director, Aspiring Youth of Houston
   
             
     
The kids were treated to a gourmet breakfast, as a reminder of the importance of “brain food". They were then welcomed with inspirational stories from highly successful community members. The real fun began when they broke out into groups to attend “classes” taught by a fantastic group of professional volunteers. They each had a schedule to follow, taking them to varied subjects, from Computer Science, to TV Meteorology, even Rocket Science!
   
             
   
In all, twenty eight presenters shared their knowledge and time with these kids; they were mentored by current TSU students, who eagerly shared the “real scoop” on college life while conducting a tour of the campus. The event culminated with a “Commencement” where each student received a mock diploma.
   
             
   
             
   
Aspiring Youth and The Links at the Ensemble Theater
   
             
     

On February 3, the Missouri City Chapter of The Links' Art Smart Program partnered with Aspiring Youth of Houston to bring thirty students from B.C. Elmore Middle School (in the North Forest I.S.D.) to the Ensemble Theater for a “Behind the Scenes” look at the theater and all its inner-workings. The students participated in a catered luncheon where they had the opportunity to display their wonderful table etiquette.

   
             
   
The students then entered into a world of theater starting with sitting in on a play rehearsal. After the rehearsal, the students participated in a theater workshop, in which they learned through fun demonstrations about direction and the importance of following directions, and one Aspiring Youth student was awarded a scholarship to the Ensemble Theatre’s Summer Workshop for her outstanding participation in the mini-workshop that day. Towards the end of the “Behind the Scenes” Program all the students had the opportunity to watch a play called Waiting To Be Invited and meet with the cast.
   
             
   
             
   
Aspiring Youth's First Ammons Scholars Program
   
             
     

We are pleased to announce the first annual Ammons Scholars Program for distribution of four $20,000 college scholarships. The scholarships will be disbursed at $5,000 each year for four years of college provided that the recipient conforms to the requirements set forth in the award. The scholarships are donated by Houston attorney Rob Ammons(www.ammonslaw.com). The first annual Ammons Scholarships will be awarded in 2007 to students who participated in an Aspiring Youth After-School Program for at-risk youth.

   
             
   
             
   
To see our previous e-newsletters please click on this link
   
             
   

Aspiring Youth's mission is to prepare at-risk youth to aspire to and attain their highest degree of success in school and in life. To fulfill our mission, Aspiring Youth focuses on the middle school years when children are transforming from childhood to teenagers. The choices made during the pre-teen years are the foundation for each student's future success.

Aspiring Youth supports the following events:

    
   


College for a Day
TAKS Olympics
Map to Success Contest
Summer Program

   
Ammons Scholarships            
Take A Student To Your Employment Program
Trash Bash Public Service
College Scholarship Essay Contest 		   
             
   
             
   

If you live in a city with a Randall's Food Store, Randall's will donate 1% of your grocery purchases if you enter the Aspiring Youth® number (number 5130) and use your Randall's card with your purchases. 

Kroger Food Stores will also donate 1% of your grocery purchases if you use the Aspiring Youth™ Kroger card with your purchases (please let us know if you would like for us to send you a card to use at Kroger).

Donations to Aspiring Youth® are tax deductible to the extent allowed for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.  Clothing and small home items donations can be made by contacting Central Donations at 713-948-2828.

Thanks for being part of the solution!

   
             
   
             
    ASPIRING YOUTH OF HOUSTON
6250 Westpark Drive, Suite 217
Houston, Texas  77057
Phone:  713-334-3330
Fax:  713-334-3366
E-mail:  office@aspiringyouth.org
To make a tax deductible donation,
please click the link below.
   
   
   
   
   


Copyright 2007 Aspiring Youth®, All rights reserved.