CELEBRITY MENTORS FOR STUDENTS

To view this page ensure that Adobe Flash Player version 9.0.124 or greater is installed.

Please login or register to make a comment!

CELEBRITY MENTORS FOR STUDENTS Rick Hansen 9s popularity as a class- room speaker has led to the develop- ment of a new Role Model Resource pro- gram for teachers. Due to over- whelming demands from teachers for class- room presenta- tions, Hansen was forced to decline many requests. Teachers then asked for recom- mendations on replacement crole models d.

Consequently, Hansen spear- headed the creation of a resource that contains more than 100 speakers from a num- ber of back- grounds and groups. With financial sup- port from the Royal Bank, the complimentary resource was developed with assistance from teachers, students and leadership orga- nizations such as the Esteem Team, a four-year-old education group that sends Olympic and world-class ath- letes throughout BC to speak to schools. The package includes a list of all speakers, their biographies, interests and preferred speaking topics, target audience, presentation outlines and any costs if applicable.

Many are vol- unteers. Teachers are expected to contact the individual or agency directly to book a speaker from the likes of Vancouver Grizzlies Media Relations Manager Debbie Butt, a General Manager and Vice- President of the Hearst Corporation, Robert Danzig, Superintendent of Schools for Kootenay- Columbia School District, Patricia Jennifer ... more. less.

Dooley, a winning race car driver, Marybeth Harrison, former NHL 9er Dave Hindmarch, or BC Lions player Jamie Taras among others. As well, organi- zations such as The Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs (ACE-SFU) at Simon Fraser University or the BC 4-H Provincial Council will provide speakers. In the introduction to the resource, Hansen credited his own role models Stan Stronge, paralyzed in 1940 and a pioneer of wheelchair sports, and Bob Redford, his volleyball coach, pre- and post-injury, who taught him his athletic ability didn 9t end with his disability. cIt simply changed the nature of the sports I participated in. d Educators also function as role models, he said, cand may not even know when they 9ve made that crucial difference. d Rod Pennycook, Senior Vice-President and General Manager for the Royal Bank Financial Group, said the resource will assist young people to realize their dreams in a manner simi- lar to Rick Hansen. cBuilding upon the lessons Rick teaches us, the Role Model Resource project provides young people with the chance to learn from others who have overcome life 9s chal- lenges with great courage and determi- nation. d For a complimentary copy of the resource, teachers may call 604-822- 4433 or toll-free 1-800-213-2131. CELEBRITY MENTORS FOR STUDENTS EDUCATION STAR BC astronomer James Hesser has reached new heights in educating stu- dents about the solar system. For that, he was given the 1997 Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion, one of only nine Canadian scientists to receive this prize. When he 9s not working as the Director of Victoria 9s Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, he 9s visiting classrooms from Prince Edward Island to Tachie in central BC to cgive young students a sense of the immense size of the solar d Jamie Taras, football player for the BC Lions (#60) has made presentations to over 35,000 students in 300 BC schools. Presentations deal with the importance of goal-setting and resisting negative influences. eay, Vancouver Sun 3BC Lions EDUCATION STAR

less