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December 26, 2012
Dear Friends of Martha's Vineyard Youth Leadership Initiative,
We are blessed. Last week at our MVYLI meeting, our young people shared how by supporting our community, we could find strength in face of the tragedy in Connecticut. There are so many opportunities to give back during this holiday season. This fills our hearts with joy and our lives with meaningfulness and purpose.
Our young people have their whole lives ahead of them.
We wanted to thank all of you for your support this year.
Isabelle El-Deiry was thrilled to be inducted in the Governor Patrick's Statewide Youth Council. Serving on the Governor's Youth Council Vineyard Gazette, Dec. 14, 2012, Named to governor's youth council MV Times, Dec. 5, 2012. She will carry on MVYLI youth Emma HallBilsback's hard work with the Anti-Bullying Campaign- and more. Bella pioneered MVYLI's pilot program for the ACT College Test, which will be now held on the Vineyard -- and available for ALL island youth in 2013.
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Bella also championed the Multicultural Assembly with Charlayne Hunter-Gault at MVRHS with her friends Maggie Riseborough and Sivana Brown. Shavanae Anderson produced an inspiring video featuring 20 students sharing their different cultures. Designed during the Youth Leadership Summit, MVYLI youth learned leadership skills by envisioning goals for their lives and their island, and then develop projects to achieve them.
  Jacob Lawrence
received his first acceptance letter, to his first choice at George Mason University. As the Master of Ceremonies for our Multicultural Assembly, he's found his calling in communications and public relations. For Job Shadow Day he's excited to be shadowing U.S. Senator Kerry's Communications Director.
For MVYLI's Job Shadow Day 2013, Charlie Pikor got a head start, matched with technology business leader, John Klein. What made a lasting impression on Charlie were John's words of wisdom, to work hard for many years, especially when you are younger.
Lucy Norris was honored to be matched with Spanish Consul General D. Pablo S�nchez-Ter�n. He's been a diplomat for 41 years -- in eight countries, including Argentina where Lucy will spend her spring semester with the American Friends Society.
Shavanae Anderson received the 2012 Walter Cronkite Awards for producing the Passing of the Torch video Amnesty International's 50th Anniversary with Harry Belafonte, Dr. Henry Gates Jr., and Rose Styron. Shav inspired everyone with her speech: As Walter Cronkite did, we need to project firmness and commitment to every single action we take every day. This is the only way we can inspire everybody around to see us as a role model. This is how I got involved with the Martha's Vineyard Youth Leadership Initiative. I was extremely impressed with the changes I saw in my sister and her friend's lives. They were clear and strong about their dreams and the path to make them come true. I wanted to feel the same. One of the most remarkable events I saw, was to see how kids that had never before talked with each other in school, were sharing -- no matter their color or nationality. The way we all relate to each other now in school will never be the same -- we are building a more diverse and integrated Martha's Vineyard. So, all this synergy took me into this organization, and trust me, this is one of the best things that could ever happened to my life. There's no obstacle that can stop us, there's no dream that can't become true, there's a world ready for those that persevere from adversity. Today, more than ever, I've learned that I'm the most important piece in the changes that take place in my life and that young peoples' voices are vital to today's community and world decisions because they are the roots for our world tomorrow.
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 Sivana Brown, Bella El Deiry
visiting UMass Boston
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Sivana & Bella
visiting Dean College
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ACT College Test Training Session with Bill Eville
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MVYLI's College Prep & Field Trip Program
In its third year, MVYLI helps youth with college application process, including essays and letters of recommendation. We have conducted field trips to 13 colleges in Massachusetts; conducted videoconference interviews with two national colleges and hosted workshop with Admissions Counselor.
Scholarships MVYLI youth are all accepted/attending four-year colleges. We've assisted them in receiving over $500,000 in scholarships.
MVYLI gives small scholarships to all MVYLI seniors. 3 students received the Walter Cronkite Scholarship.
MVYLI Offers ACT Training Sessions on Tuesdays @ 5:30 pm
Next test: February 9
MVYLI is pleased to announce that the ACT College Test is being offered for the first time on Martha's Vineyard. Now ALL Vineyard youth can take the test - offered at Martha's Vineyard Charter School.
ACT College Test Program Vineyard Gazette, Nov 15, 2012
ACT College Test Schedule 2013
Upcoming Events: 2013
MVYLI's 3rd Annual Job Shadow Day: February 1, 2013
The Harborview Hotel will host a reception for youth and their mentors.
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We would like to thank our 2012 Supporters
Patrick & Marsha Mills Ahearn
David and Karen Busch
Gerret & Dianne Conover
John Griffith
Mary Hasten
Michael & Jane Horowitz
Julie & Louis Kavoussi
Lynn Lillenthal
Ed & Kathy Ludwig
David Murphy
Deborah A. Nugent
Brad & Hadley Palmer
Susan Plaine
Bud & Chari Polley
Monica & Henry Reusch
Sarah Rorer
John Scales
Alyssa & Paul Stafford
Mary Sullivan | Airport Mobil
Among the Flowers
Budget Martha's Vineyard
Chesca's
Cronig's Market
DaRosa's
David Andrea Bam Family Foundation
Flatbread's Pizza
Harborview Hotel
Hermann Foundation
Island Spirit
Island Transport
Martha's Vineyard Savings Bank
NetResult
Newman's Own
Point Way Inn
Permanent Endowment of MV
Seafood Shanty
Smoke N Bones
The Capricorn House
The Conway Family Foundation
The Riverbend Fund
The Stanton Family Foundation
Vineyard Bottled Water
Vineyard Harbor Hotel |
Your support will really make a big difference
in the lives of these young people.
The Martha's Vineyard Youth Leadership Initiative's
mission is to train young people to become leaders in their lives, their community and the world. All Vineyard youth (14-21 years) are able to the attend programs at no charge. MVYLI is a project of the
Stone Soup Leadership Institute, a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 1997 on Martha's Vineyard.
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MVYLI's Outcomes and Accomplishments
We've trained over 40 young people to become leaders in their lives, their island and the world. Read more.
MVYLI Youth Involved with Community Service from Island Food Pantry, to Red Stocking Fund, to Rotary, Young Brothers to Men's winter coat drives, mentoring younger students and producing educational videos with MVTV.
Evidence of Collaboration: MVYLI has developed partnerships with 10 Island non-profit organizations and schools. We've received in-kind donations from over 50 Vineyard businesses.
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MVYLI's Team
Carrie Gilbert, Office Manager is a proud mother whose children attended Vineyard schools. She's worked at the MV Hospital's Dental Center and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah.
 Saundra Hart Johnson, Program Coordinator graduated from MVRHS and her masters in guidance counseling from Leslie University.Thanks to her help, this is the 1st year we've spent quality time to research national scholarships for MVYLI youth. It is wonderful to see the sparks ignite in each Youth Member as they talk about going to college and their future careers! I am continually amazed at the determination of each student and the ability of these kids to support each other through every task. We've got a really great group!
Marianne Larned, Executive Director
 Anna Luckey, Development Coordinator was raised on Martha's Vineyard. After receiving her bachelors from Bard College, she traveled and worked in Italy, Venezuela, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, NYC, Martha's Vineyard and Philadelphia. Since she's worn many hats -- from educator to administrator to entrepreneur, Anna brings a rich variety of experience to MVYLI youth. Anna is working with the Institute's Board member Bob Corcoran to reach out to potential donors. The MVYLI youth are so passionate and clearly feel empowered through their involvement with our programs. It is inspiring to be around them and encouraging to know they will be our future leaders!
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  P.O. Box 4551, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
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