The First Annual International "Day of the Child" Festival
May 2, 2009
The heavy rain and cold weather did not hinder the First Annual International "Day of the Child" Festival from being an exciting event for the Stanislaus community as well as the Youth Action Commission of Stanislaus County.
Through the sponsorship of Modesto Irrigation District, E&J Gallo Winery, and the Latino Business Association, the family event was successful in bringing the community together to support the efforts of the Commissioners and the youth.
A plethora of community booths including organizations like the Tuolumne River Trust, Stanislaus County Library, and the Boy Scouts of America, were up and going by morning. The Skitz, Choc Noir, and Rubber Lizards headed the Battle of the Bands in the plaza filling the air with rock music until evening.
A file of Aztec dancers from the Ballet Folklorico Anaguac honorably led the commissioners in a procession into the Gallo Center where they hosted their Second Annual Youth Leadership Training Conference.
The Commissioners were especially touched by the personal endorsements of Mayor Jim Ridenour of the City of Modesto, Mayor David I. White of the City of Riverbank, Mayor Becky Campo of the City of Patterson, and the presence of Stanislaus County Supervisor Jim De Martini. Marie Gallo, a major sponsor of the event through E&J Gallo Winery, also greeted the Commissioners and uplifted their efforts.
In addition to these acclamations, due to the generous donation of Arturo Flores, the Commissioners were gifted with a copy of "Every Monday Matters" from the hands of the author, Mathew Emerzian.
After a year of research and labor on behalf of the Commissioners, issues concerning gangs, family values, and the environment were brought to the table before the community audience. A number of youth groups participated in the Youth Performance Showcase. The Legend Chinese School, Tejano Roots, Modesto Ninerettes, Talita Kum Marcos 5:41, Ballet Folklorico Anahuac, Riverbank Language Academy, and the Chinese Drama Club all performed hoping to become this year's champions and winners of the $1,000 scholarship. Due to their multicultural poetry performance, the Riverbank Language Academy thrilled the judges with their strong family message and became the 2009 Youth Performance Showcase champions and prize winners.
Though not competing, the Youth Action Commissioners stunned the entire community with a beautiful African dance performance titled, "The Circle of Faith" in which the passing of religious traditions from generation to generation was stressed. It took months of preparation and rehearsal on behalf of the Commissioners to coordinate this dance.
The International "Day of the Child" Festival is the culmination of the work the Commissioners do year round as a part of their leadership training and civic engagement projects. The Youth Action Commission of Stanislaus County hopes the Stanislaus community is prepared for what the Commissioners will arrange in future festivals.
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YOUTH ACTION COMMISSION OF STANISLAUS COUNTY
Graduation Ceremony
2009
The Youth Action Commission of Stanislaus County will host its annual Graduation Ceremony on June 18, 2009 at 5:30 in the evening. The ceremony will be held in the Greater Yosemite Council in the Boy Scout Office located in 4031 Technology Drive in Salida.
This ceremony will celebrate and exalt the year-round efforts and labor of the Commissioners as well as their involvement in the community and civic engagement projects. There will be an overview of all the Commissioners have accomplished in the 2008-2009 year.
The Commissioners will be awarded with diplomas, many Commissioners will receive new titles as Ambassadors. This year's Ambassadors will become Councils for the organization. In the upcoming year, Councils will oversee various chapters throughout Stanislaus County.
Selected Commissioners and Ambassadors will speak that evening, sharing their experience along with all they have learned and acquired from the program. After the ceremony, the Commissioners and their families are encouraged to celebrate with a potluck dinner.
Please RSVP by Friday June 12th
For Further Information, Contact: Patricia Segoviano de Pier
(209) 341-9854
