Beat the Odds®
2002
Children's Defense Fund Greater Cincinnati258 Erkenbrecher AvenueCincinnati, OH 45229phone 513 · 751 · 2332fax 513 · 751 · 2003web www.cdfcint i .or g
Copyright © 2002 Children's Defense Fund Greater Cincinnati.All rights reserved.
cordially welcome you toThe 7th Annual Children’s Defense Fund
Beat the Odds®
Cincinnati Children’s HospitalMedical Center
The Procter & Gamble Company
Time Warner Cable
WCPO-TV Channel 9
celebration.
Thursday, April 25, 2002 — The Albert B. Sabin Education Center
A special thanks to those faithful supporters who have made this program possible and have
made our mission at the Children’s Defense Fund complete:
we couldn’t beat the odds without:
...and you! You keep our boat afl oat!
Our heartfelt appreciation to:
Dr. John BryantHonorary Chairperson
Digi France SchuelerCore Committee Chairperson
David RoseMaster of Ceremonies
Rabbi Thomas HeynBanquet Chaplain
Darrin HunterPhotography & Graphic Design
Sam Caufi eldBanquet photography
Gina FriesCatering
Gerry SchrottA/V Technical Support
Many thanks to the women of the Junior League for their careful preparation of beautiful gift packages for each Awardee.
We are grateful to the team at WCPO-TV Channel 9 who donated their creative energies and time to this
afternoon’s wonderful videos:
Bill Fee, General Manager
Mona Morrow, Community Affairs Director
Peter Kasprzycki, Producer/Director
Caryl Hefl ey, Andy Gruelich, and Troy Jarvis, Videographers
Juanita M. Adams*Amelia Beck
Susan Bolich*Ellen Boling
Brooke Cassman*Kathy Christmon*
Alva Jean Crawford*Ron Cross
Erin EhlingerGail Garcia
Jan Jacobs*Paulette Keys*
Barbara Kreines*Leslie Kreines*
Minda MatthewsDorothy McCutchan
Mona MorrowCarole Rigaud*Dick RosenthalReba St. Clair*Shawn Tyson
Josh WhiteheadChristine Wuest
Cheryl Youngblood*
* denotes Steering Committee Members
PROGRAM
WelcomeDavid Rose, MC, Reporter / Anchor, WCPO-TV Channel 9
InvocationRabbi Thomas Heyn, Chaplain, Cedar Village Retirement Community
Lunch
State of the Children’s Defense FundEileen Cooper Reed, Director / Advocate
Children’s Defense Fund, Cincinnati & Ohio
AcknowledgementsEileen Cooper Reed
Presentation of the Beat the Odds AwardsDr. John Bryant, Former Director, Cincinnati Youth Collaborative
Presentation of the President’s AwardsEileen Cooper Reed
Closing RemarksDavid Rose
Thank you for joining in our celebration of six outstanding young people.We greatly appreciate your company. The tax-deductible portion of today’s luncheon is $14.
2002 Beat the OddsSPONSORS
It would be impossible for us to Beat the Oddswithout your generous help. Thank you all!
Champions of Children ($5000 or more)
Patrons of Children ($2500—$5000)
Friends of Children ($1000—$2500)
THE KAPLAN FOUNDATION
Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Mrs. Leslie Kreines & Mrs. Carole RigaudThe Cincinnati Chapter of Jack and Jill
of America, Inc.Mr. Jim Reed
Concordia, Inc.Episcopal Society of Christ Church &
Christ Church CathedralCinergy FoundationProvident BankWestern & Southern Financial Group
Neediest Kidsof All
Dana Bryant
Noraa Hill
Jasmine Keyes
Moriah Israel
Faye Jenkins
Jessica Sneed
Children’s Defense Fund Greater Cincinnatiis proud to honor the following
2002 Beat The OddsScholarship Recipients
Markita BalesShannon BarkerKyle BarryAmber BegleyZachary BohannonTiffany BolesGia CalhounEbony CapellBrian CarrawayAdrienne Carter Nicole CissellMarvin B. Cox Jr.Laura DavidsonDustin DeanTiffany DettyJillian DuboisKristian DurhamTara EagleMichael EvansHeidi FogtAmanda GarciaJoe GastenveldCassie Gettelfi ngerEmily GlassmeyerPatrick GleasonAlisha GlennRoberta Marie HaisXin HaoLori Harp
Samantha HollingsworthNathaniel Jacob HouserJoshua JacobJohn Melvin Jarvis, Jr.Julie Theresa JonesLee Ann KayesThomas KayesChelsea KingCasey LangKatherine LaySusan LyonsMeghan McGeeTim MiltnerRenee MooreLisa L MulroyChristopher OliverAdam PlybonDaniela PorembkaAngel PoynterHeidi RoseJoshua RoseCourtney SchipperShauntel StriplingAllison ThurmanTamara TrueCaroline WellsChristopher WeraWayne WertzCamara Najuma Williams
Children’s Defense Fund congratulates the following
2002 Beat the Odds Award Nominees
Through the kind generosity of our sponsors, Children’s Defense Fund was able to provide each nominee with a $100 U.S. Savings Bond.
“I know there are a lot of people out there that care about us. I can feel it. There are always people out there that
care, even though it can seem that there’s not.”
Study Goals: English Literature and minor in Photojournalism
Biography highlights:National Honor Society, Yearbook, band, baby-sits siblings, assists the visually impaired in arts and crafts activities at the Clovernook Center for the Blind, was awarded a Young Women Writing for Change internship, and the Artworks poetry award for Best Junior Writer.
Dana BryantSchool: North College Hill High School
Age: 17
College: University of Cincinnati
9.2 million children in the United States, age 18, have no health insurance. 9 out of 10 uninsured children live in working families.
CDF Fact: Healthy Start
Study Goals: Law and a minor in Psychology
Biography highlights:Honor Roll student, Student Senate & Leadership Council, president of the Via Nia club (promoting cultural diversity), cast member and host of “The Learning Tree” (a cable program developed and produced by youth), “Bacon Buddies”, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Kairos leader, attended Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership conference, volunteer at Good Samaritan Hospital and the Cincinnati Red Cross.
Noraa Hill
School: Roger Bacon High School
Age: 16
College: Xavier University
Child care for a 4-year-old in a child care center in an urban area averaged $5,672 per year in 2000. This was more than the cost of public college tuition in Ohio – $4,258.
CDF Fact: Head Start
“Being involved in different activities has taught me to appreciate myself, others and life in general. If you want
something, you have to work hard. Nothing falls in your lap.”
“I gained so much from [my hardships]. For example, responsibility, releasing bitterness from my heart because it wears you down, team-work, compassion, patience, and
totally being able to put myself in God’s hands. I try to stay positive, stay true to myself, dreams and goals…”
Study Goals: Design/Illustration, minor in Jewelrysmithing
Biography highlights:Honor Roll, Treasurer of the Michelangelo Society (art club), enjoys reading, writing in her journal, composing poems, drawing and painting, spending time with family, going out with friends, baby-sitting the children at the Bethany House Shelter, and was awarded Presidential Academic Award and Academic Excellence Award.
Jasmine KeyesSchool: Princeton High School
Age: 18
College: Savannah College of Art & Design
More than 1 in 3 of the nation’s fourth-graders do not read at a basic level according to National Assessment of Educational Process studies. By twelfth grade, students in the United States have fallen behind their counterparts in many othercountries in science and math profi ciency.
CDF Fact: Education
Study Goals: Social Work
Biography highlights:National Honor Society, Dux Femina (school and community service group providing sisterhood and leadership), Urban League Presidential Mentorship Program, worked at Paramount’s Kings Island, and attends the House of Israel in Bond Hill.
Moriah IsraelSchool: Withrow High School
Age: 18
College: University of Cincinnati
The average poor family with children has just $9211 in total income—about $25 a day. In the United States, one in three poor children lives with someone who works full-time year-round. One in six children live in poverty in the United States.
CDF Fact: Fair Start
“I can do almost anything if I put my mind to it. Look at me now! I am 3 years in remission, out of my wheelchair, and
about ready to graduate from high school.”
“God has helped me fi gure out that no matter how much you’ve gone through there is still goodness in the world and still goodness in people that you can fi nd, that you can see.”
Study Goals: Chemistry and minor in Computer Graphics
Biography highlights:Honor Roll, captain of the volleyball and basketball teams, school newspaper, member of the American Youth Foundation Leadership group, Cyberstar Program Technician (teaching youth computer literacy), and volunteer at the Arts Consortium.
Faye JenkinsSchool: Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School
Age: 17
College: Alabama State
Children in high quality child care demonstrate greater language development, mathematical ability, greater thinking and attention skills, and fewer behavioral problems in school.
CDF Fact: Head Start
Study Goals: Computer Engineering or Education
Biography highlights:Valedictorian and Honor Roll, inducted into the Taft Ambassador’s Hall of Fame (for academics), Student Government President, Senior class Vice President, yearbook, Vice Editor/Sports Editor for school newspaper, captain of the volleyball and basketball teams, track and softball, member of the Cyberstars, interning with Primax Computer Corporation, was a technician and supervisor for Community Access to Technology, currently teaches educators how to integrate computers into class curriculum through Cincinnati Public Schools and works part-time at a restaurant.
Jessica SneedSchool: Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School
Age: 18
College: Ohio State University or Howard University
Studies have shown that low-income, uninsured children are more likely to have eye and ear infections, lead poisoning, serious dental problems, and chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma.
CDF Fact: Healthy Start
“You must go through hardships in order to be a stronger person—they’ll force you to do better, to do more, to go
further, to push for that higher grade...”
Leave No Child Behind
The Movement to Leave No Child Behind® The Movement to Leave No Child Behind® The Movement to Leave No Child Behind® intends to do what it takes to meet the intends to do what it takes to meet the intends to do what it takes to meet the needs of children, learning from the best needs of children, learning from the best needs of children, learning from the best public and private ideas, and renewing public and private ideas, and renewing public and private ideas, and renewing public and private ideas, and renewing our commitment to all children. The Act to our commitment to all children. The Act to our commitment to all children. The Act to our commitment to all children. The Act to Leave No Child Behind, introduced in 2001, Leave No Child Behind, introduced in 2001, Leave No Child Behind, introduced in 2001, provides a comprehensive picture of what provides a comprehensive picture of what provides a comprehensive picture of what children need in order to thrive. Read the children need in order to thrive. Read the children need in order to thrive. Read the act. Join the Movement. Dedicate yourself act. Join the Movement. Dedicate yourself to leaving no child behind.
—Marian Wright Edelman Founder & President, Children’s Defense Fund
Children’s Defense FundThe Larger Story
The mission of the Children’s Defense Fund is to Leave No Child BehindThe mission of the Children’s Defense Fund is to Leave No Child Behind® and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.families and communities.
Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) was founded in 1973 by Marian Wright Edelman to Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) was founded in 1973 by Marian Wright Edelman to provide a strong and effective voice for the children of America who cannot vote, provide a strong and effective voice for the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. Our goal is to educate the nation about minority children and those with disabilities. Our goal is to educate the nation about the needs of children and encourage preventative investment in children before the needs of children and encourage preventative investment in children before they get sick, drop out of school, or get into trouble.they get sick, drop out of school, or get into trouble.
CDF is a unique organization because it focuses on programs and policies that CDF is a unique organization because it focuses on programs and policies that CDF is a unique organization because it focuses on programs and policies that affect large numbers of children, rather than on helping families on a case-by-case affect large numbers of children, rather than on helping families on a case-by-case affect large numbers of children, rather than on helping families on a case-by-case basis. CDF educates the public about the conditions of children and successful basis. CDF educates the public about the conditions of children and successful basis. CDF educates the public about the conditions of children and successful programs. We work to shape federal, state, and local policies for children by programs. We work to shape federal, state, and local policies for children by identifying cost-effective remedies. identifying cost-effective remedies.
Our main offi ce is in Washington, DC. CDF Greater Cincinnati began its work in Our main offi ce is in Washington, DC. CDF Greater Cincinnati began its work in Cincinnati in 1993 under the direction of Eileen Cooper Reed (pictured on opposite Cincinnati in 1993 under the direction of Eileen Cooper Reed (pictured on opposite left). CDF also maintains offi ces in Columbus as well as California, New York, left). CDF also maintains offi ces in Columbus as well as California, New York, Minnesota, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Minnesota, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas.
CDF is a private, nonprofi t, nonpartisan research and advocacy organization CDF is a private, nonprofi t, nonpartisan research and advocacy organization supported by foundations, corporate grants, and individual donations. As an supported by foundations, corporate grants, and individual donations. As an supported by foundations, corporate grants, and individual donations. As an independent voice for children, CDF does not accept government funds.independent voice for children, CDF does not accept government funds.independent voice for children, CDF does not accept government funds.
Initiated by the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) in 1990, the Beat the Odds® Initiated by the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) in 1990, the Beat the Odds® Initiated by the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) in 1990, the Beat the Odds® Awards celebrate the positive potential of our nation’s youth. Too often we Awards celebrate the positive potential of our nation’s youth. Too often we Awards celebrate the positive potential of our nation’s youth. Too often we hear about teenagers getting into trouble, dropping out of school, becoming hear about teenagers getting into trouble, dropping out of school, becoming hear about teenagers getting into trouble, dropping out of school, becoming involved with drugs, crime or gangs, or becoming parents too soon. What involved with drugs, crime or gangs, or becoming parents too soon. What involved with drugs, crime or gangs, or becoming parents too soon. What we don’t recognize often enough are the accomplishments of young people we don’t recognize often enough are the accomplishments of young people we don’t recognize often enough are the accomplishments of young people who do well despite facing extreme hardships, such as poverty, violence, who do well despite facing extreme hardships, such as poverty, violence, who do well despite facing extreme hardships, such as poverty, violence, homelessness, family breakup, or substance abuse. Beat the Odds® is a homelessness, family breakup, or substance abuse. Beat the Odds® is a homelessness, family breakup, or substance abuse. Beat the Odds® is a tribute to those young people.tribute to those young people.
Beat the Odds® celebration ceremonies are held in Los Angeles, CA; Beat the Odds® celebration ceremonies are held in Los Angeles, CA; Beat the Odds® celebration ceremonies are held in Los Angeles, CA; Bridgeport and New Haven, CT; Atlanta, GA; East St. Louis and Springfi eld, IL; Bridgeport and New Haven, CT; Atlanta, GA; East St. Louis and Springfi eld, IL; Bridgeport and New Haven, CT; Atlanta, GA; East St. Louis and Springfi eld, IL; Detroit, MI; Minneapolis/ St. Paul, MN; Concord, NH; Charlotte, NC; Cincinnati, Detroit, MI; Minneapolis/ St. Paul, MN; Concord, NH; Charlotte, NC; Cincinnati, Detroit, MI; Minneapolis/ St. Paul, MN; Concord, NH; Charlotte, NC; Cincinnati, OH; Memphis, TN; Missouri City, TX; New York, and Washington, DC. Since OH; Memphis, TN; Missouri City, TX; New York, and Washington, DC. Since OH; Memphis, TN; Missouri City, TX; New York, and Washington, DC. Since 1995, CDF Cincinnati has awarded 44 high school Seniors from the tri-state 1995, CDF Cincinnati has awarded 44 high school Seniors from the tri-state area with the Beat the Odds® awards, which includes $1000 scholarships area with the Beat the Odds® awards, which includes $1000 scholarships and other gifts in recognition of their accomplishments. and other gifts in recognition of their accomplishments.
While we celebrate the individual strength, determination, and courage of While we celebrate the individual strength, determination, and courage of While we celebrate the individual strength, determination, and courage of Beat the Odds winners, we also acknowledge caring adults and organizations Beat the Odds winners, we also acknowledge caring adults and organizations that have encouraged and inspired children to beat the odds. In 2002, CDF that have encouraged and inspired children to beat the odds. In 2002, CDF Cincinnati celebrates the inauguration of the President’s Award®, dedicated Cincinnati celebrates the inauguration of the President’s Award®, dedicated to those who have served and helped our youth to succeed.to those who have served and helped our youth to succeed.
For Children Strugglingto Beat the OddsLive child—no matter what!Don’t let anybody or anything stop you—Don’t let anybody or anything stop you—like the fl owers in the crannied wallslike the fl owers in the crannied wallssqueezing life as ivy, ferns, molds, and yellow budssqueezing life as ivy, ferns, molds, and yellow budsstretching towards the sun—stretching towards the sun—rise from the rocky soil,rise from the rocky soil,rise from the rocky soil,cling to the naked bumpy walls,cling to the naked bumpy walls,work your roots into the tiny crevices, nooks and crannieswork your roots into the tiny crevices, nooks and cranniesof the unfriendly walls of race and class and gender that tryof the unfriendly walls of race and class and gender that tryof the unfriendly walls of race and class and gender that tryto block your way.to block your way.to block your way.Live no matter what—Live no matter what—lapping up sun’s warmth and rain’s drops.lapping up sun’s warmth and rain’s drops.lapping up sun’s warmth and rain’s drops.Bend with the wind and dance with the breeze,Bend with the wind and dance with the breeze,Bend with the wind and dance with the breeze,crawl up and down and all around,crawl up and down and all around,crawl up and down and all around,cover the stone walls with your green coverlet—cover the stone walls with your green coverlet—going on with your life.going on with your life. —Marian Wright Edelman
Founder & President, Children’s Defense Fund
Eileen Cooper ReedDirector / Advocate,CDF Cincinnati & Ohio
Beat the OddsThe Larger Story
