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October 27, 2012 By Erin Daunic Leave a Comment

STARS Partners With Nobel Peace Laureate and Belmont

In an extraordinary joint initiative, Iranian-born Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi was announced the partner for Nashville’s first PeaceJam working with Students Taking A Right Stand (STARS) and Belmont University exploring issues of peace, violence, social justice and oppression with a community service component.

The announcement of Ebadi, the first ever Iranian and first Muslim woman to earn the Nobel Peace Prize, was made by Belmont University President Robert Fisher with STARS CEO Rodger Dinwiddie in a kick-off PeaceSlam rally on Belmont’s campus with students from 24 area middle and high schools attending.

Photo caption:  Heritage Middle student Mia Laub introduced Rodger Dinwiddie and Dr. Robert Fisher to the PeaceSlam students. (Photo by Belmont University)

Dr. Mimi Barnard, assistant provost for interdisciplinary studies & global education, said the PeaceJam is a great community initiative.

“In announcing PeaceJam, it’s fitting that this year’s Campus Theme is E Pluribus Unum—out of many, one. We live in an increasingly complex geopolitical context, yet we are called to love our neighbor. To that end, Belmont is thrilled to partner with Students Taking a Right Stand (STARS) to become the PeaceJam Mid-South Affiliate, which includes Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas and Kentucky. PeaceJam exists to create young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their communities, and the world through the inspiration of Nobel Peace Laureates who pass on the spirit, skill and wisdom they embody. Our collaboration will enable leadership training for hundreds, if not thousands, of youth throughout the Mid-South,” Barnard said.

Dinwiddie said the currently exiled Ebadi will be in Nashville January 25-27 for the PeaceJam where she will work with Belmont and STARS students on a global issue empowering students to return to their schools and community with initiatives for change. Here’s more information about Dr. Ebadi. (http://www.peacejam.org/laureates/Shirin-Ebadi-3.aspx)

Photo caption: Dr. Shirin Ebadi will work with area STARS and Belmont students to tackle a world issue at the January 2013 PeaceJam.

 

Schools across the mid-state attending were: Brentwood Middle, Fairview Middle, Freedom Middle, Gra-Mar Midde, Grassland Middle, Heritage Middle, Hillsboro Middle, Jere Baxter Middle, Page Middle, Spring Station Middle, Sunset Middle, Woodland Middle, Wright Middle, Brentwood High, Centennial High, Fairview High, Franklin High, Glencliff High, Maplewood High, Middle College, Oakland High, Page High, Peal Cohn, West Wilson High.

Students are now taking ten issues back to their schools to consider tackling at the January PeaceJam from ending poverty and global disease to breaking the cycle of violence and ending racism and hate. The students work with Dr. Ebadi to determine their final joint project as well as  ocus on a community service project in the Nashville area.

PeaceJam is an international youth organization whose mission is to create young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their community and the world through the inspiration of Nobel Peace Laureates.

Filed Under: What's Happening Now Tagged With: Belmont University, Nobel Peace Laureate, PeaceJam, youth development leadership

July 27, 2012 By Erin Daunic Leave a Comment

Leaders of Today – by Tiara C., Operation TLC participant

Leaders of Today

Don’t let anyone tell you that you won’t be anything in life.

Prove them wrong and go out and be all that you can be.  Chase all of your dreams!

Be a dream chaser not a dream killer.

There is nothing you can’t achieve.

A leader will step out and put all the negative things down in the dirt and create positives.

There is a wonderful program called STARS that is willing to help anyone that wants to become a great leader.

Within this program you will become a brand new person, and you may even find out things about yourself you didn’t even know.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: youth development leadership, youth leaders, youth leadership

July 25, 2012 By Erin Daunic Leave a Comment

Operation TLC – Lives Changed

Operation TLC was a tremendous success.  The two-week camp began in Nashville with over 20 students.  From touring the Belmont campus to our overnight camping trip to west Tennessee, these students came together and learned how to accept one another for their differences.   We traveled to New Orleans, LA, visited college campuses, facilitated community service projects in the 9th Ward, laughed with one another, cried and celebrated. 

After participating in the second annual Operation TLC, a young woman wrote this poem. 

 

Constantly in Search

We’ve all come together on this life-changing journey,

    This is just the beginning, us all starting out on a gourney.

Running to the ER or to the church,

    Looking for help, constantly in search.

We’ve only known each other for a short amount of time,

    But it’s the love and care that has begun to interwine.

We all have stories, we all have fears,

    Don’t let it hold you back, go on and let out the tears.

Hiding behind masks, faking a smile,

    Trying to hide the hurt that runs longer than a mile.

With everyone’s suggestions and everyone’s kind words,

    It’s only to help us fly free like newfound birds.

It’s funny how quickly this has all taken place,

   And it’s only week 1, ready for second base?

So be ready to stretch and be ready to grow,

    Cuz we are all in this together, from high to low.

Filed Under: What's Happening Now Tagged With: 9th Ward New Orleans, student community service, youth development leadership, youth leaders, youth leadership

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STARS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, culture, religion or creed, socioeconomic status, language, age, sexual orientation, or national origin. No one shall be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any of STARS’ programs or activities. STARS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This agency is funded, in part, by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Tennessee Department of Education and by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. This project is funded under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.
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