"Beautiful Differences" Play with Author Madonna Hanna

Grandpa Bill today overviews my earlier this year guest, Madonna Hanna Part 1 Original Guest Appearance on My Podcast Achieving Your Goals at ANY AGE with National Senior Games Champion Madonna Hanna -https://youtu.be/L-MiGDfXeKc Were You Bullied? The Evolution of the: “Beautiful Differences Play / Community Service Project” (First Draft: 9.19, 2002) The Beautiful Differences play was originally funded by a grant provided by the Milken Family Foundation Festival for Youth Community Service Grant Program. Madonna Hanna, the grant coordinator was a 1999 Milken Family Foundation National Educator. This original play written by Madonna, revolves around and upcoming fashion show, a mysterious stranger and three groups of children: a popular kid, special education students and outcast students. The message of the play: teasing, bullying and poking fun is not fashionable: being proud of yourself, accepting others and working together is in style! Madonna’s inspiration for the play is her book Mommy, Why Are My Eyes So Big? and her award winning fashion show project Flights of Fancy. The Flights of Fancy fashion show features people with disabilities as runway models. The purpose of the play is to communicate an important message in a non-threatening manner. Children of all ages love the arts, therefore a play is a natural tool to use to deliver a powerful message. In turn, high school students have a responsibility to guide their younger peers in the right direction in this play ,they did JUST THAT. The play is about physically challenged and outcast students who discuss being excluded then included in a school fashion show. Initially they don’t think they have a chance but they eventually muster the fortitude to try out. Pre and post play activities have been created to reinforce the plays message of acceptance. The Impact of the Community Service Project The community service project inspired the participation of the Bremerton School District, the Bremerton Multi-Cultural Committee, Kitsap Regional Library, Kitsap Reading Council, The Bremerton Sun, The Bremerton Parks and Recreation Department, The Olympic Education Service District, Tacoma and Seattle schools and the former Bon Marche’ Department stores (Now Macy’s). Washington State Attorney General Christine O. Gregoire, added the Beautiful Differences to the AG Office online publication the Anti- Bullying Toolkit. U.S Senator Patty Murray, “As a United States Senator and a former educator, education is one of my highest priorities. I applaud programs, such as yours, that teach self-esteem and mutual respect. These are invaluable lessons for today’s youth.” Senator Murray’s shared her Beautiful Difference: “When I was selected to the United States Senate-I was the first mom ever with kids at home and the first preschool teacher in the history of the country to be a United States Senator. As a Mom and teachers I know I bring a different but importance to all the policies decided by the United States Senate.” The project provided high school students with the opportunity to demonstrate reading, performing arts, leadership, mentoring and communication skills. Elementary students demonstrated skills in writing and verbalizing the concept of acceptance, tolerance and intervention. The Beautiful Differences Project was funded two consecutive school years (2000-2002) by the Milken Family Foundation Festival For Youth Grant. The Beautiful Differences Community Service project earned a Bronze Medal-2002 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, Kansas City, MO Madonna authored, Mommy Why Are My Eyes So Big? PLEASE NOTE THERE IS SOME ADDITIONAL 1500 CHARACTERS IN THIS PDF OUTLINE LISTEN IN PLEASE PAY IT FORWARD! The BD community service project was recognized by the State of Washington Office of the Governor, Gary Locke, Governor; also assisted with the support of House Bill 1444 State of Washington 57th (Signed into law March 28, 2002) #bullying,#hate --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bhsales/message Powered by Firstory Hosting