Tag Archives: Creative Empowerment Arts Contest

Elmont High School Senior Receives Creative Empowerment Arts Contest College Scholarship Award


Your Time For Creative Empowerment, Inc. Creative Empowerment Arts Contest $500.00 College Scholarship Winner Malaika Foster of Elmont Memorial High School — for her literary submission entitled “21st Century Youth”— pictured with: (L to R) Program Director, Mr. James Lacy; Founder/CEO, Mrs. Madona Cole-lacy and Board Member, Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard, at the Elmont Memorial High School 2017 Senior Award Ceremony.

It was a delight to witness the overwhelming support the 2016/17 Senior Class exhibited at the Elmont Memorial High School Senior Awards Ceremony. The rousing applause that followed as each recipient was called to the podium was nothing short of contagious. This camaraderie did not go unnoticed and, as such, has earned the 2017 Elmont Memorial High Senior Class, the 2016/17 Mutual Supportive Spirit Award! 

Find out more about the winning entry of this extraordinary college-bound youth advocate and future Journalist by clicking the link below: http://www.creativeempowermentarts.org/MalaikaFosterwinner.html

Your Time For Creative Empowerment Inc. has proudly served Makaila and her Mom, Ms. Marta Foster since 2014. Ms. Foster’s willingness to participate in the events and activities refects what she perceives as the importance of working collaboratively with community organizations and schools as a parent.— with Makaila Foster and Ms. Marta Foster.

We welcome with open hands and heart, Dr. Jeanine Cook-Garard, who recently joined us as a member of Your Time For Creative Empowerment, Inc. Board of Directors. We thank her for bringing to the table her life and professional skills (as a mother of high-achieving children and a college professor) that will no doubt help in the empowerment of Long Island Area youth. — with Makaila Foster and Ms. Marta Foster, Mr. James Lacy and Mrs. Madona Cole-Lacy.

Makaila Foster, who will pursue her post-high school education in Journalism in the Fall, has been invited to play an active role at the non-profit’s Annual Self-Empowering Workshop, on July 8th, 2017, by sharing with participants, tips on how she navigated high school as a 21st Century youth.  This workshop will address the needs of Junior High, High School, College-Bound Graduates, and Current College Students and their parents. Registration is necessary for this event. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-your-time-forself-empowering-workshop-tickets-34556142352?aff=es2

Click here for event page

Wyandanch High School Students Participate in Arts Contest and Wins For the Third Time!


It was our distinct pleasure to once again make a presentation to a Wyandanch Memorial High School Creative Empowerment Arts Contest Winner. This year’s winner, Pierrelande Saint Cyr, who received a runner-up award of a $500.00 college scholarship is pictured with Your Time For Creative Empowerment, Inc.’s Founder/CEO, Mrs. Madona Cole-Lacy and Program Director, Mr. James Lacy.

Pierrelande’s Creative Expression of the theme: “Our Hopes, Our Dreams, Our Fears, Our Solutions!” is in the form of a poem entitled “I am Who I am.”

(L to R:  The Wyandanch Memorial High School Principal, Mr. Paul Sibblies; Guidance Counselor, Ms. Tifanny Kee; Your Time For Creative Empowerment, Inc.’s Founder, Mrs. Madona Cole-Lacy and Creative Empowerment Arts Contest Runner-Up, Pierrelande Saint Cyr and Program Director, Mr. James Lacy
 
(L to R:  The Wyandanch Memorial High School Principal ; Guidance Counselor, Ms. Tifanny Kee; Your Time For Creative Empowerment, Inc.’s Founder, Mrs. Madona Cole-Lacy; Creative Empowerment Arts Contest Runner-Up,  Pierrelande Saint Cyr; Your Time For Creative Empowerment, Inc. Program Director, Mr. James Lacy and Assistant Principal, Mr. Noel Rios)

While this event was no exception, one thing that stood out at the ceremony that deserves mentioning is the fact that roughly 99% of scholarship recepients were attired for success in some form. Kudos to Principal Paul Sibblies, Guidance Counselor Tifanny Kee, staff, parents and last but not least, the students themselves who followed guidance, and kept the focus of the event on scholarship and dignity by being appropriately attired!

We want the students to know that we NOTICED and APPRECIATED their efforts. And that it is without reservation that we name the 2017 Wyandanch Seniors Class “The 2017 BEST DRESSED Senior Award Ceremony Class!”

This does not surprise us in the least as the Wyandanch Memorial High School is one whose Principal champions the idea of the social aspect of college and workplace readiness.  The following article says it all: http://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/wyandanch-high-school-students-revel-in-a-school-uniform-policy-1.11222770

 

Farmingdale High School Students Receive Creative Empowerment Arts Contest College Scholarship Awards


It was an honor to present to Ashley Burbano (Winner) and Urooba Abid (Runner Up), of Farmingdale High School, the 2016/17 Creative Empowerment Arts Contest college scholarship award on Monday, June 8, 2017 for their Creative Expressions of the theme: “Our Hopes, Our Dreams, Our Fears, Our Solutions!”

This year’s ceremony, not unlike others we have attended in the past, quite naturally featured some of Long Island’s highest achievers. What I would like to shine the spotlight on though, is the engaging way in which the Principal, and staff acknowledge presenters. That special letter the Director of Guidance and Social Work, Maureen Moloughney,  sends out before the event does it for me! What a wonderful gesture! My experience with the Farmingdale High School Staff in charge of the Senior Awards Ceremony can simply be characterized as stellar. This year’s CORDIALITY AWARD goes to the Farmingdale High School!

1.              2. 

1. Ashley Burbano, the 2016/17 First Place Winner of a $1000.00                                                                                                                                            Creative Empowerment Arts Contest College Scholarship for her Creative Expression  entitled ” The Silent Syrian Crisis”
2. Left to Right: Your Time For Creative Empowerment Inc.                                                                                                                                                                  Program Director, Mr. James Lacy; Founder/CEO, Mrs. Madona Cole-Lacy;                                                                                                                       Ashley Burbano and her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Luis Burbano

Urooba Abid —a runner-Up and Winner of a $500.00 Creative Empowerment Arts Contest College Scholarship for her Creative Expression entitled “Slaves To The System”

Left to Right: Your Time For Creative Empowerment’s Program Director, Mr. James Lacy; Founder/CEO, Mrs. Madona Cole-Lacy; Urooba Abid and her supportive Mother,  Mrs. lqbal Abid

Ashley Burbano and Urooba have been invited to share how they impressively navigate 21st Century life with participants at the upcoming Self-Empowering Workshop for College Bound High and Junior High School Students at Molloy College on July 8th. Registration is necessary for this event.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-your-time-forself-empowering-workshop-tickets-34556142352?aff=es2

   Left to Right: Creative Empowerment Arts Contest Runner-Up, Urooba Abid; Founder/CEO of Your Time For Creative Empowerment, Inc. and Ashley Burbano,  Winner of 2016/17 Creative Empowerment Arts Contest

Find out more about these well-rounded, phenomenal college-bound students who are obviously also bound for greatness. http://creativeempowermentartscontest.homestead.com/AshleyBurbano201617Winner.html?_=1493965596717

http://creativeempowermentartscontest.homestead.com/UroobaAbid201617RunnerUp.html?_=1494365371159

Empowering Long Island’s Youth – A Collaborative Endeavor


Please read the quotes below which capture the essence of some of what I hoped to accomplish with the founding of Your  Time For Creative Empowerment, Inc.

YTFCE UPCOMING FINAL

Download PDF of flyer –Your Time For Creative Empowerment Upcoming Events 2015  

I recognize we are only in the infancy stage of fulfilling the organization’s mission – a stage we could not have arrived at without a dream, tremendous determination and the selflessness of a number of people whose contributions and encouragement have played a big role in our buoyancy. It is my intention to periodically shine the spotlight on those who are supportive of our quest to empower Long Island’s youth and families.

That we have had no reason to worry about a home for our Self-Empowering Workshops, is owed to the benevolence of Molloy College’s Office of Advancement Associate Director of Development, Corporate Relations; Cynthia Costanzo-Metzger. The warmth with which I am greeted by Barbara Simms and Gina Renaldi of the Town of Hempstead each time I approach them with a space request for our organization’s Free Community Networking Soiree, gives me much encouragement!. The Art League of Long Island’s Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery’s perfect backdrop for our Scholarship and Fundraising Gala Kick-Off, would not have been possible without one for whom I have great respect – Charlee Miller, the League’s Executive Director, and the Development Director, Bobbie Janowitz.

In the interest of transparency, I must admit that the inordinate energy and effort expended to get student participation, is disproportional to the outcomes thus far. This leaves me asking “WHY?”…..  even as I graciously acknowledge the help of volunteers, teachers, parents and school administrators who like Dr. Deborah Wortham, Superintendent, and Mrs. Barbara Evans, Art Teacher of the Roosevelt School District, who saw the benefit in exposing their students to the Annual Creative Empowerment Arts Contest we are offering Long Island’s high school students.

As part of our growth process, we welcome the support and assistance of like-minded individuals. We are open to constructive criticism accompanied by viable, executable suggestions. We take all concerns into consideration as we underscore our philosophy with an unwavering emphasis on the following: Your Time For Creative Empowerment is race, class, gender and socio-economically sensitive in all that we do.

“We have a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward good ends.”  – Mary McLeod Bethune –

Madona Cole-Lacy, M.A.Ed, Founder/CEO                                                                                                                                   Your Time For Creative Empowerment, Inc.

www.yourtime4liny.org