Dare to Dream (DTD), The Harris Foundation's crime prevention and character development program for grade 4-6 students in the Greater Houston area, is proud to announce its Module Two Mission Specialist Excellence Award winners.
DTD's year long curriculum is comprised of three modules: My Self (character development), My Community (community awareness/engagement) and My World (setting goals). In My Community, students learn about the importance of being contributing members of a group. They also plan and implement a service project to improve their school and/or neighborhood. The students being recognized for Module Two played an integral role in the selection, organization and implementation of their school's project. Dare to Dream is proud to recognize these students whose good character and positive attitude have truly made a difference.
Matthew Jenkins, a 6th grader at Youngblood Intermediate, is a true leader. During Module Two, Matthew stepped up and led his team as they completed their community service project. The community service project, “Better Books for the Library,” raised money for the school library to purchase better books that the students would enjoy reading. In order to get the money, the class planned a fund raiser, sold snacks every Tuesday during lunch time and asked family and friends to donate their unwanted books to their book sale on Saturdays. Matthew took the lead on this project by not only coming up with the project but by assigning each team member a specific task and following up with them to make sure it was done. The collected monies were given to the school to purchase better books. Thanks to Matthew's serious attitude and leadership qualities, the community service project was a success. Matthew clearly possesses the six pillars of character and is a wonderful Dare to Dream Community member.
Kenadii King, 5th grader at Kennedy Elementary, is receiving a Module Two Mission Specialist Excellence Award because she leads by example. Her leadership skills stand out in everything that she does. During Kennedy Elementary’s campus recycling project, she often reminded her peers to recycle all of the construction paper they were using instead of throwing it into the regular trash bin. She also takes pride in being a Dare to Dream officer by reminding students to be the best they can be at all times while in the classroom and lunchroom. She follows the ABC’s of Dare to Dream and represents The Dare to Dream program in a spirit of excellence.
Jose Silva, a 6th grader at Marshall Middle School, is receiving a Module Two Mission Specialist Excellence Award because he has been an excellent Dare to Dream member the entire year. Jose is always on task and ensures that others are doing the right thing, too. During the service project, Jose was highly motivated and was a great example to the other members. He gave great feedback on the project during reflection and is also taking an important role in the poster project for the end of the year. Jose also made straight A’s on his report card this last six weeks after working all year to achieve this goal.