Seeking High Schoolers: Moose Youth Awareness Program Offers College Scholarships; Encourages Healthy Choices for Children
“Originally designed as a young speakers’ bureau, the Moose Youth Awareness Program has grown over the past 25 years to become a highly recognized opportunity for students to develop and hone their public speaking and leadership abilities,” said Scott Hart, CEO, Moose International. “High school students involved in the program, since its inception, have reached more than 700,000 young children with positive lifestyle messages,” he added.
In order to participate, students must attend a State Youth Awareness Congress to gain an understanding of how the program works. During the State Congress, students will identify an issue they want to address – some base it on direct experiences, such as bullying or child abuse; others see a problem they want to “fix.” All topics must promote healthy choices in young children ages 4-9.This year, the MA/RI State Moose Association is holding the Youth Awareness Congress on Friday, October 25 at the Massachusetts State House in Boston, beginning at 9:00am.
Students then create their own “Moose Kids Talks” presentations to reach these audiences. Over the next several months, program participants identify their own speaking opportunities in various clubs and organizations (i.e., scouting groups, Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, classes), and must make three or more presentations by February, 2014. Students are encouraged to be creative with their presentations, with presenters often using coloring books, videos, social media, costumes, songs and skits to ensure their messages resonate with young children.
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At the end of February, written reports submitted by those students who have completed at least three “Moose KidsTalks” are judged by a peer group to determine who will represent the state at the annual International Youth Awareness Congress, which is held during the first weekend of May. The 2014 International Youth Awareness Congress will be held in Gettysburg, PA.
Plymouth Moose Lodge #2485 is inviting local high school students to be part of the Youth Awareness Program. To learn more, call Francis Kuhn at 508-224-2276 or email plymouthmooselodge@gmail.com . Also, the Youth Awareness brochure can be found online at www.mooseintl.org/portal/pdf/YouthAware/2013-2014YouthAwarenessBrochure.pdf
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Ray Tompkins, Communications Chairman at the Plymouth Moose Lodge said "The Moose Youth Awareness speakers are extremely bright, creative individuals. Some of the students who attend are already leaders in school or community youth programs; some became leaders as a result of the knowledge and experience they gained from the Youth Awareness Program.”
Previous “Moose KidsTalks” have focused on a variety of topics, such as drug and alcohol abuse, child abuse, "stranger danger", bullying and peer pressure, and healthy habits and nutrition. Each year, approximately 60 students out of approximately 1,000 participants from across the country are chosen to attend the International Youth Awareness Congress. Five winners, selected by their peers, receive scholarships (1st place - $12,000; 2nd place - $8,000; 3rd place - $5,000; 4th place - $3,000; and 5th place - $2,000). Funding for the scholarships is provided by the Moose Legion, the Moose fraternity’s Degree of Service. Travel costs associated with the International Youth Awareness Congress weekend are provided by the men and women of the local sponsoring Lodges, Chapters and State Associations. For the year 2012-13, Mark Horgan of Massachusetts earned the third place scholarship.Scholarships are also awarded at the state level, and are provided by the MA/RI State Moose Association. In year's past, Ashley Morill and Kelly McGuinness, both from Plymouth, have won state scholarships through this program.
Moose International is an organization of more than one million men and women, dedicated to caring for the young and old, bringing communities closer together and celebrating life. The Moose organization maintains approximately 1,700 Moose Centers across the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Bermuda, providing members with family-oriented social, dining and sports activities. The Moose organization’s main endeavors include Mooseheart, a residential community and school celebrating its centennial, created for children whose families are unable to care for them; and Moosehaven, a Florida retirement community for senior Moose members. Visit www.heardofmoose.org.
The Plymouth Moose Lodge, founded in 1997, has over 600 members; the Plymouth Women of the Moose Chapter has over 300 members; for more information, email plymouthmooselodge@gmail.com or plymouthchapter@hotmail.com .
