Paseo Colorado -- It All Spells Great Shopping in Pasadena, California
Kids With Heart -- 2007
Honorees
Lauren De
Vaughn was honored on Friday, February 9, 2007, by Paseo Colorado and
the Pasadena Educational Foundation with a first-ever KIDS
WITH HEART award at a special ceremony held at the Pasadena
Jazz Institute. Lauren was selected from over 40 nominees for the
award – which included a $500 donation to charity of her choice and
a $100 Paseo Colorado Gift Card.
Lauren, age 11, is a student at Burbank Elementary School in Altadena and
was nominated by her teacher, Jacquie Equite. She was selected for a
KIDS WITH HEART award because of her on-going fundraising efforts
for children in Ghana that began after a trip to Africa with her parents.
Her efforts helped with a new roof for the Amazing Grace Prep School in
Ghana.
Lauren De Vaughn
Age 11 -
Burbank Elementary
Nominated by:
Teacher Jacquie Equite
Paseo Colorado made a $500 charitable donation in Lauren’s
name to Adom Partnerships International and gave Lauren $100 to spend on
herself and also $100 Paseo Colorado Gift Cards to the nine other local
children chosen as finalists for the KIDS WITH HEART award.
KIDS WITH HEART – RUNNER-UPS
Hayley Burgess, age 14 - Blair High School - nominated by teacher Jason Brents: Hayley started a Dollars for Darfur website at Blair High as part of
the national movement led by high school students to raise money for the
Darfur refugees.
Stephanie Wong, age 10, Don Benito-nominated by teacher Nancy
Hernandez: Stephanie cut her hair and donated it to Locks of Love, and wears
pink bands in her braces to promote breast cancer awareness.
Marycruz Moran, age 16 - Pasadena High School - nominated by teacher
Brooke Kent: Marycruz has completed over 180 hours of community service,
volunteers at Ahead with Horses, and during her Visual Art and Design
Academy internship, designed and painted a mural for a local Pasadena
business.
Maichael Beshai, age 9 - Webster School - nominated by teacher Houry
Sevani: Maichael unconditionally befriends students, despite having just
arrived from Egypt and speaking no English, but he is learning rapidly. His
teacher wrote “Maichael makes a big difference in our daily lives by
repeatedly lending a hand to all.”
Daniel Romero, age 18 - Blair Magnet - nominated by teacher Magdalena
Reyes-Rotherner: Daniel takes the time to assist disabled students with the
daily school activities they find difficult or unable to do.
Forrest Blades, age 9 - Jackson Elementary- nominated by his teacher
Jocelyn Strickland: Forrest was chosen by his third grade teacher for his
kindness and compassion in always going out of his way to help another child
stating “he is not only a kid with heart; he is a kid who is all heart.”
Blair student Adam Hecker, age 17 – nominated by teacher Ingrid
Alvarez: Adam stood out for his compassion in his work with senior citizens
on a weekly basis.
Claire Marie Barmann, age 10 - Sierra Madre School - nominated by
teacher Miriam Jeffrey: Claire is being recognized for her advocacy. At a
time when a group home for the developmentally disabled was being
ostracized, Claire stepped forward and defended the home in front of a
community meeting.
Bree Blades, age 15 - John Muir High School – nominated by her
previous teacher Jocelyn Strickland: Chosen for all her volunteer work at
Jackson Elementary and for also mentoring her fellow students at Muir.
Developers Diversified Realty, owner of Paseo Colorado, implemented The KIDS WITH HEART award nationwide at their specialty lifestyle
centers to recognize children for something other than grades or a sports
achievement. While those accolades are important, the KIDS WITH HEART award
is meant to honor selfless acts of caring and concern for others.
