A
newly formed YCWA Group at Bowden Elementary, located in SAISD, gave an
outstanding presentation about YCWA to their classmates during an assembly
on April 13, 2006. Even more amazing- they had only two weeks to
prepare for their 45 minute song and dialogue skits.
YCWA
Coordinator, Cynthia Moya from Bowden Elementary, said this is one of her
best groups ever and she is very excited about their work. She
explained YCWA will create a lot of good changes in the school and
community. “You can stand out in life and have your dreams and
make a difference,” said Moya.
The
YCWA is a national program that teaches children to stand up and say no to
drugs, crime, and violence. The program is designed to empower
children and help them make a positive difference in their community and
schools. They learn to take ownership and work with others in their
community. YCWA promotes good citizenship where youth are seen as part of
the solution and take an active role in addressing the problems around
them.
Principal
Alva Ibarra was proud of the group's work and told the assembly, “When
you learn to present yourself in a positive way, in a good way, you make a
good impression. This group has worked hard and they are learning
leadership skills through Youth Crime Watch. Together we can make
this the
Best
School
in the whole district.”
The
school will have tough competition from another
SAISD
school,
Harris
Middle School, who won the 2006 National YCWA Casey Award at the international
conference in
Ogden,
Utah. Harris, the only middle school in the nation selected for this
honor, was recognized for its students’ holistic approach to campus and
neighborhood improvement, ranging from conflict resolution and theft
prevention programs to community clean-ups and promoting awareness of the
dangers of smoking. “These efforts have resulted in Harris being
one of the safest, friendliest and most positive school environments in
the nation. Academics amidst a healthy learning environment have clearly
become a non-negotiable,” said Harris Principal Moises Ortiz.
For
more information about Youth Crime Watch of America, contact Rachel
Trinidad, YCWA Youth Services Coordinator at (210) 271-7232 or log onto www.ycwa.org
.
