A few days ago on Monday May 19th, I began what I hope will be a 10 year long journey in what is tentatively called the Shield of Dreams. I want to visit elementary school classes from all over the country (hopefully some in Mexico too) and encourage children to never stop dreaming or give up on themselves. I made a short (hopefully) inspiring introduction video that I will show to them.
Then I'll talk to them, share a few personal stories and hear from the students. Then on 2 pieces of blank paper that I will hand out to them, I will ask them to draw/ write what they would like to be when they grow up. If they are unsure, then they can draw about what they like to do/ what makes them happy.
On the second sheet of paper, I will have them draw/ write about goals they would like to accomplish in their lifetime. Then, they will put both papers in envelopes with their name on it, that I will give to them. I'll collect the envelopes and mail it back to the students at the beginning of their senior year of high school, a very pivotal year in their lives, and it will be a reminder of who they were as children (before they were exposed to many negative aspects of the world) and hopefully serve as a guide to what they would like to do after high school, in case they become lost and need help finding themselves again.
The first class I visited was Mrs. Brubaker's 5th grade class at Francisco Vasquez de Coronado in my hometown of Nogales, AZ. It was particularly special for two reasons:
1. Mrs. Brubaker was my younger siblings (18 & 20 year olds) as well as my 4th grade teacher.
2. My 10 year old sister is currently in that class, so it means a lot to me that she gets to participate in this project.
I was incredibly nervous, since I'm not a great public speaker by any means, but I kept telling myself that the reason behind the project and the children are a lot more important than my nerves and anxiety, so I sucked it up. As I was setting up, I calmed down. It really helped having my sister (who coincidently sat in the table right in front of the class, wehere I was going to be presenting) there supporting me as well as Mrs. Brubaker, who was great and very accomodating. I originally was going to show my intro video on my laptop with some speakers, but Mrs. Brubaker actually helped me set it up on her computer so I could show my video on her projector!
The students were really nice, some were shy, but they all seemed to like the activity :) There were some really good artists as well. I couldn't draw that well when I was that age :)
After I collected the envelopes, I had a few volunteers go on camera and talk about their drawings as well as send some messages to their future selves. It was amazing talking to these children. One of the girls wants to be an animator (and her drawing was REALLY good) but she also said she wasnts to help stop world hunger, global warming, and save all the animals. I almost cried, but I didn't want to in front of the children. Now, were we thinking about global problems when we were in 5th grade? That compassion and that desire to follow your dreams as well as help others is something I really want to encourage, and I hope these children stay strong and not let people bring them down.
It made me feel better about the future of the world.
- Huge playground. It can't be captured in one photograph. Ahh, so many memories.
Coronado elementary's playground entrance.
My beautiful sister and I fooling around on the playground.
If you would have any ideas, want to help, or would like more information on this poroject, please email me at curiosofilms@gmail.com
I'd love to hear what you have to say because the more people get involved, the bigger impact we will have on our future leaders and we can get one step closer to a better world!
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