Youth Leadership Award
How to Nominate Youth for Animal World USA Youth Leadership Award
Choose any youth, classroom or group of youth who have shown outstanding qualities in compassionate service and leadership in helping animals. You can be an educator, parent or another young person who nominates the teen or young one(s). Please email to info@animalworldusa.org or phone (877) 454-0807.
Animal World USA Youth Leadership Award
Leadership is central for all communities to prosper and organizations to succeed. Leadership is an important responsibility, upon which all else springs from deep inside. It has been demonstrated through history that leadership skills are best taught early in a child's life.
This is why it is important that we honor these young ones who are leading the way into the future where we will treat all living beings with true understanding, respect, care and compassion.
The Animal World USA-International Youth Leadership award is a unique opportunity for you to help honor extraordinary young people who have demonstrated compassion, character and leadership in helping animals and building a stronger community.
Leadership
*compassion *character *teamwork *unity *trust *confidence *vision *responsibility
Recipients
Art of Conservation, Inc.
Rwanda, Africa
Animal World USA is pleased to announce that
West Tisbury Elementary School grades 1 & 2 Multiage Class
as our first recipient of the monthly Animal World USA Youth
Leadership Award! They received award-winning books from Gryphon Press as a thank you for their inspirational work.
The children's natural empathy and compassion was demonstrated through an exceptional video that they submitted to Animal World USA.
In their video the students encourage us to take action to protect the animals' natural habitat and to understand that many animals are endangered to the point of near extinction. To view this amazing video narrated by the students, click on one of their sweet photos.
Recipients
West Tisbury Elementary School grades 1 & 2
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Recipients
May B. Leasure Elementary K-5 Elementary School
Newark, Delaware
Animal World USA is pleased to announce AWUSA Leadership award goes to...
Brandon Wood
"Make A Chimp Smile"
Florida student and activist
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The making of an advocate for important causes starts at different ages for people. For special young Brandon Wood ....it came at the ripe age of 9 years. (Brandon will be turning 10 yrs old in July.) It all started in December 2009 when Brandon wanted a chimp for a pet.
“I had gerbils and dogs and cats, and I thought it would be interesting to get a chimpanzee,” he states. So in December Brandon started looking for a chimp to purchase as a pet. Eventually he was led down the path of learning about the wonderful organization, Save the Chimps. It was there that Brandon learned that chimps were not supposed to be pets and learned that primates are being cruelly treated through animal research.
One special chimp that Brandon learned about was "Elway." He was one animal that Brandon could especially feel empathy for because he was nearby at Save the Chimps, a sanctuary in Florida, Brandon's home state. This chimp had thankfully been rescued from captivity and sent to this Fort Pierce, FL sanctuary where he could live in peace. Meanwhile, Brandon also learned that Elway had a father named “Boy,” who was sadly still in a facility in New Mexico.
Brandon felt he could identify with Elway's situation of being apart from his dad as Brandon's father has been serving as in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since last December, Brandon has been organizing efforts which have led to getting people involved all around the country. He has also encouraged people to contact legislators to have laws changed. He is encouraging more young people to become involved for the chimps. Brandon was recently honored in New York City by Save the Chimps.
Brandon will be encouraging young people in USA and Africa to become involved for the chimpanzees during 1st Africa Week for the Animals coming up August 2-15, 2010. His brother, Christian who has been so supportive, will be also be encouraging youth and adults to be involved in some way. Brandon has also always been inspired by his oldest brother, Denver, who has attended all of Brandon's school functions while their dad has been away serving our country. What an extraordinary family...
we honor Brandon and give thanks for his leadership!
Brandon's blog is Make A Chimp Smile. Please visit his wonderful website to learn more about his work to help the chimps. http://makeachimpsmile.blogspot.com/
Brandon also has a Facebook community. Pls join!
[Photo of Brandon Wood used with permission of the Orlando Sentinel, copyright 2010.]
Olivia Bouler is an Animal World-USA International Youth Leadership recipient.Olivia recently became involved and has been celebrated for her important work to help birds in the Gulf region after the tragic oil spill. Olivia said, "11 years old and willing to help" when she described herself to Audubon in contacting them about the tragedy in the Gulf. Aspiring ornithologist, artist, and saxophone player now from New York, Olivia wept when she first heard about the oil spill in the Gulf Coast, a place where she spent many vacations with her cousins and grandparents who live in Louisiana and Alabama.
Knowing birds were going to suffer during migration and nesting season, she decided to take action. Inspired by her hero James Audubon, Olivia wrote to the Audubon Society about her fundraising idea and her desire to study ornithology at Cornell. With Audubon’s input, Olivia decided simply to give bird drawings to those who donated to wildlife recovery efforts, setting a goal of 500 originals.The response was incredible, raising money helping wildlife in the Gulf region through her Facebook fan page: Save the Gulf: Olivia’s Bird Illustrations.
Her work is now featured as an AOL Artist. The Audubon Society received a donation in honor of Olivia’s efforts. To date, Olivia has drawn at least 80 different species of birds in 225 original drawings. An exhibition/auction of 25 of her drawings is taking place at The Cole Art Center in Texas. The family went to Washington DC to express concerns over bird habitat and to support clean energy legislation and met with members of Congress, as well as Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar.(Above: See Olivia drawing on left and also Olivia and her mom Nadine on Larry King set when they appeared. )
Recipient
Brandon Wood
Kissimmee , Florida
Recipient
Olivia Bouler of New York
Art of Conservation, Inc.
Rwanda, Africa
Art of Conservation (AoC) students are Animal World USA-International Youth Leadership latest recipients. It was AoC initially coming on board with 1st Africa Weeks for the Animals celebrated 3-11 July 2010 that inspired all of us to really focus on the youth for Africa Weeks in a significant way.
These remarkable young students under the leadership of AoC founder Julie Ghrist helped us understand to a greater degree on how the young people hold the key to our future in all that we do to make this world a more compassionate, loving,
happy and healthy planet.
During 1st Africa Weeks for the Animals the AoC students created beautiful artwork, participated in outdoor activities and showcased it on their website during the entire time. How they filled our hearts with endless joy, never ending gratitude, happy tears and big smiles. They all proved to be a gift each day through their talent.
Founder Julie Ghrist, beautiful soul and AoC founder, encouraged the young ones and shared it all daily in a special way on AoC 's website during the 1st Africa Weeks for Animals. They inspired us so much we can hardly wait until next year. In fact, we look forward to building on the firm foundation of our budding friendship throughout the year and leading up to next year. Our new AoC friends are a true blessing, and we simply cannot wait that long!
We send our love and gratitude to our special, new and forever friends at AoC . Through their grace, talent and generosity of spirit, they are inspiring us to be the best that we can be. Now that is leadership!
Art of Conservation, Inc. (AoC) works in poor rural communities surrounding Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, teaching schoolchildren about the importance of maintaining a healthy environment for both people and animals and instilling in them an understanding and respect for themselves, their peers, and the natural world.
Rwanda is known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills,"and is a landlocked country located in the Great Lakes region of eastern-central Africa, bordered by Uganda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania.Although close to the equator, the country has a cool temperate climate due to its high elevation. The terrain consists mostly of grassy uplands and gently rolling hills. Abundant wildlife, including rare mountain gorillas!
Recipient
Downtown Elementary School
Memphis, Tennessee
Downtown Elementary School
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From Memphis, Tennessee USA to Rwanda, Africa With Love
Downtown Elementary School students are Animal World USA-International Youth Leadership latest recipients for 2010. These inspiring young students and school have long been recognized in the Memphis and Mid-South community for their contribution to the community.
Dr. Jackson Maxwell has been a tireless leader and educator in Memphis advancing education on all levels and has been recognized by Animal World USA in past years as a Humane Educator. Indeed both the school and staff have demonstrated leadership that has served to motivate other schools in the area.
After hearing about The 1st Africa Weeks for the Animals and Art of Conservation (see story below), the students came together and began creating artwork for the AoC students in Rwanda. It can best be described as coming from the heart and spirit of all the good that young people represent in our world.
We all honor Downtown Elementary for demonstrating leadership by encouraging the City of Memphis, Tennessee to come together to send our loving friendship on behalf of the community reaching across the globe. Congratulations and thank you, amazing students...
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About Downtown Elementary School
Our vision is to create an environment that inspires children to pursue and achieve their dreams. The school and community will work together to empower children to pursue and achieve their goals, ambitions, and dreams. Visit their website.Yolanda Grisham, Principal
C Recipient
Eglin Air Force Base Elementary School
Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
Animal World USA salutes and gives thanks
to Eglin Air Force Base Elementary and Eglin Air Force
During the week of February 5 – 13, 2011 for the 3rd Annual Florida’s Week for the Animals Eglin Elementary School students celebrated by either being visited by one of Eglin 96th Security Forces Squadron or creating artwork for them.“SARA” visited and made quite an impression on the students! Many students created sweet art posters to show their support for the awesome military working dogs and soldiers.
A special military working dog named Sarah and her handlers visited Mrs. Gray’s and Mrs. Molony’s kindergarten classes. The students really enjoyed the visit and asked the handlers lots of great questions. Students were presented with trading cards that had Sarah’s picture on them! What an unforgettable day for everyone that provided memories that will last a lifetime.
Ms. Ketler’s and Mrs. Chavers’ 3rd grade classes drew pictures to honor the military working dogs. This is the third year that Eglin Elementary has participated in Florida Week for the Animals. Visit their website http://www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/eglin/
Thank you once again to Michele Lefevre of Eglin Elementary for all her dedication for making it happen ... bringing joy. We give thanks to Eglin Air Force, canines and handlers. God Bless them all!
Congratulations
Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians!
Animal World USA-International is pleased to announce Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians as our latest 2011 recipient of the Youth Leadership award. Animal World USA-International honors the Girls Scouts and gives thanks for these extraordinary youth and their service.
Every year in October is Make A Difference Day. This is a day when millions of Americans connect in volunteer service all across the country. The Southern Appalacians Girls Scouts "Walk for The Animals" in concert with Make A Difference Day has supported the Sevier County Humane Society for the past 17 years. This year the new Pets Without Parents Shelter was added as a second beneficiary of this event.
The first event was originally conceived by a troop of challenged Girl Scouts led by Marianne Wightman. The girls collect pledges of dog food, cat food, bleach, kitty litter, and other needed supplies during the weeks leading up to the main event. "Walk for the Animals" also holds several pet contests and other activities to foster awareness about homeless and rescued animals in Sevier County, Tennessee.
This year was the 17th Annual Walk for the Animals and several hundred pounds of supplies were collected and distributed to the two shelters. The Girl Scouts also made cat and dog toys for the shelter animals. Each year a different troop or troops host and manage the event which has been held both at Patriot Park and Pigeon Forge City Park in Tennessee over the past several years.
The girls who participated this year include:
Troop# 20063, one of the hosting troops for this year: Abby Chapman, Alanta Genn, Amiyah Hicks, Ann Edelman, Arista Bremer, Brooke Bradley, Dakotah Ray, Emily Underwood, Erin Lee, Hannah Williams, Katelyn Wilcox, Kylie Clark, Lilly Fritts, Mackenzie Byrd, Maranda Mullis, Nadiya Bremer, Neomi Lozano, Rachel Kretschmar, Raniyah Hicks, Sarah Chapman, Savannah Williams, Tayauna Hicks
Troop #28011, one of the hosting troops for this year: Abby Sidebotham, Ashton Higareda,
Caitlyn Coates, Chelsea Carr, Katie Sidebotham
Troop #20155: Hailey Booker, Vannessa Craig, Zoe Deleon, Kori Manning, Lydia Meyers, and Mandy
Troop #20265: Sierra Carr
Troop #20648: Alyssa Ebb, Kailey Ebb, Jordan Ewell, Mackenzie Nutter, Layla Wiggins, Lyndzey Hill, Rylee Ownby, Rachel Moore, Kaily Marks
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Animal World USA-International is pleased to announce Juliette West as recipient of the Youth Leadership award. Juliette has demonstrated through her unique gifts to help animals in extraordinary ways by her compassion, vision and dedication. She is a joyful inspiration and will surely continue to change the world for generations to come for the amazing animals and communities around the globe.
Juliette was featured in "How I Became An Elephant" which documents the compelling real life story of this young lady in her quest to rescue a deeply injured female elephant from a forced breeding camp in Thailand. In this documentary, the viewer learns the horrific back story on the captive elephant tradeand how these animals , one of the most complex, intelligent, gentle and highly social species on earth, who are “broken” and trained to work and entertain. Please visit to learn more about Juliette and the documentary at How I became an Elephant and also at People to Watch on Action Now Network websites.
Animal World USA-International honors Juliette and gives loving thanks and respect for this extraordinary young lady and her service. Congratulations Ms. Juliette West!
Recipient
Juliette West, California Activist
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Congratulations Recipients
Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians!
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