Bank of America Student Leaders® Program Supporting THINK Together

Once again, three of Orange County’s five Bank of America (B of A) Student Leaders® will carry out their eight week paid summer internships at THINK Together’s home office in Santa Ana.

Among other projects and activities, Tim Littman (Trabuco Hills HS), Jamie Pham (Garden Grove HS) and Kathy Phan (Magnolia HS) will support fund development and marketing activities; as well as program and evaluation.

The Student Leaders® Program is part of Bank of America's larger commitment to support community leaders of today and tomorrow. As part of their Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (NEI), B of A cultivates future leaders to support and sustain the growth of vibrant neighborhoods.

Five high school students (juniors or seniors) are recognized in each of 45 major Bank of America communities, or more than 225 students nationwide. The students are selected to participate based upon:

• A demonstrated commitment to their community;
• Strong leadership qualities; and
• An interest in improving their neighborhood.

During the eight-week internship students develop and apply leadership skills through hands-on work experience. Additionally, students participate in a week-long, all expense paid Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. (July 13-18) where they are introduced to civic, social and business leadership though the Close Up Foundation.

Details & Applications for the 2011 Student Leaders® Program

Beccie Dawson Hired as Chief People Officer

SPOTLIGHT
New Hire

Beccie Dawson (pronounced as if Becky) has been hired as THINK Together’s new Chief People Officer (CPO) with primary responsibility for Human Capital functions including: recruiting, staffing, hiring, on-boarding and retention; human resources; employee benefits; general staff development and training; performance management; compliance; recognition; and volunteers. As CPO, Beccie will serve on THINK Together’s Operating Committee and as part of our Strategic Leadership Group.

Beccie starts this week and is based at the Home Office in Santa Ana. She’s available via email at bdawson@thinktogether.org or at x.8140 if you’re accessing the internal phone network.

Beccie brings to THINK Together more than 19 years as a Human Resources Executive. Most recently, Beccie was Executive Vice President of Human Resources for a 1,800-person division of Sage Software in Irvine. Prior to that, she spent nearly 10 years with Wonderware, joining the start-up as Manager of Finance and Administration and serving her last five years there as Human Resources Director for the enterprise that had grown to employ 600 people.

Beccie has been an active member of the Orange County community. She currently is a member of the Irvine College Foundation Board; and past Chair and board member for the Irvine Chamber of Commerce. She has also been an active volunteer with Working Wardrobes and Orange County’s United Way.

Beccie earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Redlands and a master’s degree in Human Resources & Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco.

Walker Elementary Finalist in Governor's Challenge

Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, announced today that Walker Elementary School in Santa Ana is one of 24 school finalists in the Orange County Region and 127 schools state-wide that have been named finalists in the Council’s 2010 Governor’s Challenge Competition - a contest that promotes increased physical activity and better nutrition among California’s youth.

Compelling New Video on America's Education Crisis

Recall the "Did You Know" videos that have achieved phenomenal success on YouTube? Here's one produced in a similar spirit...

Rose Garret, Assistant Editor at Education.com, recently shared this compelling new video about America's education crisis, The Future is in Our Classrooms, in a blog post, Waiting for Superman to Fix Education?, at Change.org.

Click arrow below to play video here

Adolfo Herrera Joins THINK Together as General Manager, Los Angeles Region

SPOTLIGHT
New Hire

Adolfo Herrera has been hired as the new General Manager (GM) of THINK Together's Los Angeles Region. He'll be based out of the LA Region's Hub Office in Santa Fe Springs and be responsible for programs and supports at schools in these Districts: Baldwin Park Unified, Bassett Unified, Little Lake, Los Nietos, Mountain View and South Whittier.

Adolfo has 20 years of experience in education, beginning as an instructional assistant in the Long Beach Unified School District where he would also later teach. He taught in a diversity of language settings for nine years before moving on to serve as a reading specialist, intervention teacher, and most recently as a district office administrator.

In 2005, Adolfo assumed the role as coordinator for Montebello Unified School District’s Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) program. There he facilitated the growth of ELO programs from 12 to 27 sites including managing elementary and middle school After School Education and Safety (ASES) and 21st Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) programs as well as High School ASSETS.

Adolfo has provided technical assistance to other after-school programs in Los Angeles County since 2007. Adolfo holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Southern California (USC) in Political Science and Ethnic Studies. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from California State University, Los Angeles.

You can reach Adolfo via email, on the Hub Office main line (562) 236-3831, or at x. 6111 for those using THINK Together's internal phone system.

Note: Karen Cantrell, who previously served as GM of the LA Region during both the 2008-09 & 2009-10 school years, will become Director of Program Staff Development and be based out of the THINK Together's Home Office in Santa Ana. In her new role, Karen will support coaching, training and professional development activities for program staff serving K-12 students.

THINK Together Student Showcase Planned at Valley High School

For the past 8 months, the THINK Together program at Valley High School in Santa Ana has served more than 1,000 students. Staff, family, friends, volunteers and community supporters are invited to join the Valley High students for a "Year End Showcase" on Tuesday, June 8th, starting at 6:00 pm in the school's cafeteria. Valley High School is located at 1801 South Greenville St., Santa Ana, CA 92704.

Valley’s Cheer Squad & Dance Team will perform and students who take part in the Culinary Arts program will provide guests with hors d’oeuvre & refreshments.

Meet Jamie Pham, Bank of America Student Leader

SPOTLIGHT
THINK Together 2010Summer Interns

Jamie Pham, Bank of America Student Leader : Jamie is in the 11th grade at Garden Grove High School. She constantly challenges herself and others and is a role model to her peers by what she contributes to the community. Jamie is very involved with the Red Cross. She is the events coordinator and president of her High School’s Red Cross club where she organizes projects and oversees their progress and success. Jamie is also part of the Orange County Youth Red Cross and serves on their leadership development staff and their special events committee. She is the secretary and president of her high school’s KIWIN’s club and participates in various volunteer activities.

Also ...
Bank of America Student Leaders® Program Supporting THINK Together

Meet Kathy Phan, Bank of America Student Leader

SPOTLIGHT
THINK Together 2010 Summer Interns

Kathy Phan, Bank of America Student Leader: Kathy is in the 11th grade at Magnolia High School. She has a deep commitment to community service and is passionate about giving back to others. Kathy is a YMCA Children’s Director and coordinated and executed activities for the children during the summer and was commissioned to help paint a mural for the Anaheim YMCA. She is involved with her school and is the Key Club’s vice president and technology chair. Kathy is very involved with integrating her peers with volunteer events in the community. She is the secretary for her school’s Future Business Leaders of America as well as a Youth Leadership of America associate.

THINK Together & Students Get Prom-A-Licious

THINK Together stepped in during the 2010 Prom Season at Century & Valley High Schools in Santa Ana to organize a formal wear drive and set up Prom-a-licous style salons on both campuses.

click arrow below to view slideshow here

The full story:

During May, the THINK Together staff at both Century and Valley High Schools in Santa Ana organized a formal wear drive. They reached out to colleagues, teachers, family, friends and community groups asking them to donate dresses, gowns, tuxedos, shoes, and accessories -- things high school students would need for their Prom. The response and outpouring of quality items was overwhelming.

Then as Prom season began, each school site set up "Prom-A-Licious" stores for students who were struggling with expenses generally associated with attending a Prom. THINK Together staff also partnered with their school's staff, Collene O'Hara Beauty Academy, and Mary Kay stylists to outfit students from head to toe with free dresses, tuxes, hair, make-up and manicures.

With the fashion assistance they received from THINK Together and its many friends, more than 65 fashionably attired seniors from Valley and Century High Schools attended their respective Proms with confidence, style and grace.

See other THINK Together photosets on Flickr.

THINK Together @ Century High School to host Student Showcase

The THINK Together program at Century High School (Santa Ana, CA) will hold a Student Showcase on Wednesday, June 2nd. The event kicks-off at 6:00 pm with dinner served to the first 150 guests in attendance.

After dinner, there will be student performances in the gym: Dance, Cheer & Song Pom teams; the “Unknowns” (a breaking crew); the Polynesian Club; and Color Guard.

An exhibition hall will be open for students to display their work and perform demonstration.

All that and free dinner too? Don't miss it!

Event Flyer