Category Archives: General
Humanitarian Dinner – thank you David Slosburg!
“I appreciated the opportunity of being able to attend the annual Humanitarian dinner. It was great listening to the motivational speakers and their ideas. Marlee Matlin was one of my favorite speakers. I love how she doesn’t let her disbaility get in the way of achieving her goals and adventures. I thought it was an honor to be able to go to the dinner. The food was great, the speakers were fantastic, and I would like to say thank you so much for letting Girls Inc. members experience something inspirational.” – Yadira
“When I left the Humanitarian dinner I felt special and strong.” – Leslie
“The food was extraordinary, the speakers were grand, and the videos were very informative. Thank you also for showing us we can live in a world of peace and joy…” – Victoria
“One of your speakers was a deaf girl and she taught us how to say “courage plus dreams = success.” – Chanecia
“I am glad I was one of the chosen ones to attend this event.” – Brianna
“I liked Marlee Matlin and Henry Winkler’s speeches. Also it was cool that the weather man gave us the forcast for the eventing. Futhermore, I loved the food and the dessert. The chicken ws fantastic! There were fancy decorations on the table with all the proper utensils. Most of all I really enjoyed the speakers and watching people receive medals.” – Nadeja
¡Yadira, Girls Inc. está orgullosa de usted!
I would be a great Cinco de Mayo Queen because I have the motivation that is needed to achieve great things in our community. I am also committed to helping to improve our community. I understand that we, the young people, have the power to change the future and I am ready to begin.
For years I have made it a point to take leadership roles. The first step I took in that direction was joining Girls Incorporated of Omaha. They believe in young women like me and help me to be strong, smart, and bold. With their help I have achieved great things like becoming a board member, traveling the United States, and meeting the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. I have also done leadership camps, drama camps, and participated in Corporate Camp. Corporate Camp is a camp where a group of 4 to 5 girls ages 13 to18 work together to create a small business. This camp teaches leadership, teamwork and a specific responsibility. I was in charge of the public relations part of it and even thought we did not win, we received 2nd place.
From all of these opportunities provided by Girls Inc., I’ve learned how to be a team player, how to resolve conflicts that may arise with teammates, and how to be a leader. I also learned organizational skill, time management, and public speaking. At school, I show leadership qualities when participating in class projects or group presentations.
I believe that becoming the Cinco de Mayo Queen will take me in the right direction to better my future and those around me because I will have the opportunity to be a role model for others. I am proud to participate in an organization that helps keep our Mexican history alive—not just in the textbooks.
I am grateful to be given the opportunity to be a part of such wonderful programs such as this. I will continue to strive for success and find ways to help out where I may be needed. I hope to hear the great news from you soon.
Thank you,
Yadira Cardenas
What was it like to introduce the First Lady, Rhaniece?
Yes, it seemed unreal to be up at the podium at the same time as the First Lady. Its a dream that I never thought would come true. When I was able to hug her in front of the large audience it made me feel important, and encouraged me to continue on my path to success because performing well in school and staying active in my community is what helped allow me to be able to be on the stage with her.While I was on stage I realized that I became known as a positive role model not only at my prospective college, but also for the state of Nebraska. Just like the First Lady said, “We have to help develop our children to become the person that they want to be every day”. Living out this quote I will continue to be active in my community and encourage the young girls to follow their dreams and inspire them to be anything that they want. It was a dream come true and the BEST birthday present ever, and most of all a memory I will always cherish and a wish I can cross off my bucket list. Thank you so much for the wonderful opportunity! You have no clue how much that meant to me to have the privilege. Girls Inc is AMAZING, and through finals week I will continue to live out my mission of being STRONG, SMART, AND BOLD. –
Girls Inc. alum Rhaniece Choice
“Sensations” Validation! Back-to-School Celebration
Thanks to Sensations Hair Salon, DIVAS R US (Lavern Crump), and Compassion in Action (Teela A. Mickles) 8 teenage girls, including Girls Inc. members, received a day of pampering, refreshments, and free gifts to help them feel special and prepared to go back to school. The collaboration was an effort to reach out and remind youth that they are “valued, special, and important to the community.” The girls received hair styles (stylists: Neya Richards and Netta McDavid), a pair of free shoes from Divas R US, a t-shirt, pizza and soda.
The girls are special and so are the members of our community who recognize that! Thank you for the Back-to-School celebration.
Here Girls Inc. member Marquisha shares the results of her hair styling:
You go, Beverly!
It’s the season for graduations – kindergarten to college. Girls Inc. celebrates more than our fair share of graduations and we love all of the graduation hoopla.
Today, let’s make some noise for Beverly who graduated from Central High School. Here she is with her family and some of her (proud!!!) Girls Inc. family – Ms. Nancy, Ms. Crystal, Yadira, and Ms. Janae. Next steps for Beverly? She’s going to UNL on a Buffett Scholarship. Girls Inc. will be right there with her for financial support, encouragement, and advice until her next big graduation.
LaShawn’s got game!
Because of her outstanding play during the last season of basketball, Girls Inc. member LaShawn Sweet was selected to play in the 9th Annual Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands/Nebraska Army National Guard 5th Grade Girls All-Star Basketball Game. The game will be held on April 8th at Benson High School. You go, LaShawn!
Denai Writes Award-Winning MLK Essay
United Way of the Midlands hosted an essay contest in honor of Martin Luther King Day. In 500 words or less, students described their vision for our community. Essays were submitted by students in elementary, middle and high schools from across the community. First, Second and Third place winners were recognized at the news conference; authors of the first place essays in each grade category received a $75 award, $50 for second place and $25 for third.
Girls Inc. member Denai Fraction, a senior at Central High School, wrote the first place essay for high school students.
Here is her essay:
It’s hard to imagine how my life would be if it wasn’t for the wonderful works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Would I still be waking up, getting ready for school, and stepping onto a crowded bus with angry faces staring at me reminding me of my unwanted presence? Would I spot the perfect seat near the front and next to a window that would send a smooth cool breeze across my face, relieving me from the stuffy air, only to remember my skin color and push forward towards the even more crowed back of the bus? Would I then arrive at school, parched from the ride, only to find the longest line at the “colored” drinking fountain and impatiently glance over at the “white” fountain, it’s perfectly polished porcelain shining bright tempting me to sneak a sip?
I am so thankful for Dr. King’s lifelong dedication to helping change the world through his fight to establish justice for everyone through equality in all aspects of life. Dr. King ultimately gave his life to help people like me, who he did not even know, live a life full of opportunities and acceptance where the color of their skin did not matter.
Although we are all legally to be treated fairly, that is not always the case in my community. People are stereotyped and treated differently because of their race. The streets of Omaha are filled with anger and violence and stained with the blood of those who have been the unfortunate products of the raging violence my community seems to not be able to shed. Dr. King stressed the importance of non violence and stayed true to his morals, never succumbing to physically harming others to get what he wanted or prove a point which is something I wish could happen in my community. I think of what he is saying from heaven looking down and seeing things how they are. He would be proud of some things, but sad about how some things haven’t changed, and in some situations have gotten worse.
My dream is to see everyone getting along. I want the gang rivalries to end, the senseless shootings to stop, and for Omaha to be known for the positive things instead of our high crime rate. I dream that one day everyone will have a home, food to eat, and to feel safe at night. I dream that one day we will have one hundred percent graduation rate that go on to college to do bigger and better things. I dream that Omaha will one day not be so divided and each area, North, East, South, and West could come together as one to create “Omaha the Great”. My dream is that we would appreciate the works of Dr. Martin Luther King as well as everyone who helped make this life we live possible by showing respect and gratefulness by living a life they would be proud of.
Denai Fraction
2011
Unek’s 1st radio Interview
Girls Inc. member Unek Lanngford did a radio interview for the Spirit of Omaha with Andy Hoig (of Metro Magazine – http://www.SpiritofOmaha.com ) on station KCRO. She was helping promote Girls Nite Out and letting the radio audience know about all of the programs provided with the funds raised from the event. She describes her experience below:
“I felt like a rockstar when I was in the studio. I can’t really say why. It was just amazing. I have seen radio studios on television before but this was the first time I was actually in one. At first, I was nervous. But, after a while, I started to relax and then it was like the microphones weren’t even there; we were just having a conversation. And it went by pretty quickly. I can’t wait to do it again.” – Unek
You can listen to her interview through the podcast on this link: http://www.spiritofomaha.libsyn.com/spirit-radio-ep-56-01-19-11
Raven’s Speech
In her own words, Girls Inc. member Raven Hollingsworth spoke to a crowd gathered at Mammel Hall at UNO for the unveiling of a portrait of Warren Buffett. The portrait, created by artist Michael Israel and initially donated to Girls Inc. by Benjamin Moore Paints, was purchased from Girls Inc. by Omaha Native and Girls Inc. supporter John Morgan. Mr. Morgan, in turn, donated the portrait to UNO.
Here are Raven’s remarks:
It is Girls Inc.’s mission to inspire girls like me to be “strong, smart, and bold.”
If you ask me how Girls Inc. has made me strong, I will tell you that I am strong enough to ask for help when I need it.
If you ask me how Girls Inc. has made me smart, I will tell you that I have learned to listen to the grownups at Girls Inc. The grownups are kind, caring and respectful. They want me to do my best.
If you ask me how Girls Inc. has made me bold, I will tell you that I have learned to try new things, like playing the ukulele. I am bold enough to try out for things I want to do like the talent show, the soccer team, and the step team. I am bold enough to stand up in front of you today and speak up in public. I have done public speaking at Girls Inc. and the crowd of girls at Girls Inc. is much larger than the crowd here today.
I want to thank Mr. John Morgan for caring about me and the other girls at Girls Inc.
You don’t get strong, smart, and bold –even at Girls Inc. – without a lot of support. Today, I am a gifted nine-year-old girl. In the future, with support from Girls Inc. and friends like Mr. John, I dream of becoming a pediatrician.
ConAgra Volunteers Rock!
ConAgra volunteers (from around the world!) helped with GIRLStart literacy programs, garden clean up for fall, homework help, Boutique organizing, and more! Some comments from our volunteers:
Bonnie Weaver from ConAgra Foods, Omaha “Loved the tour, great program!”
Melchor Rodriquez from ConAgra Foods, Mexico “It’s awesome. Great job!”
Sarah Armstrong from ConAgra Foods, Lincoln “Thanks. Very fun!”
Tom Thompsen from ConAgra Foods, Troy, OH “Wonderful program for the girls.”
Jim Martin, ConAgra Foods “It was fun meeting so many girls.”
Larry Erickson, ConAgra Foods Marshall, MO “Excellent program. Great kids. Enjoyed working with them – so exuberant!”
