Just recently I attended the ManaTEEN SOS project at Weeki Wachee Springs. What an experience it was! Along with some of my fellow ManaTEENs, I was given the opportunity to explore the fresh water springs of Weeki Wachee as we snorkeled and scuba dived to find debris along the bottom. Being that I am Bubble Blower Certified, I was allowed to snorkel through the crystal clear water collecting trash on my way. Although the water was clear, you had to swim along the bottom and look closely to find things like bottle caps, glass, and plastic. I was shocked when I pulled up a huge chunk of clear glass that was hard to see at the bottom. It could have easily sliced someones foot! After a break to get some rest and pizza, we all jumped back in the water to continue our search for debris. We even got to kick around to pull some of it up to grab easier! Not only did we find debris beneath the surface, but I also came into close encounters with a turtle, and even some fish! This was by far one of my favorite projects!
- Patrick
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
ManaTEEN Alum
It is hard to believe that I became a ManaTEEN member nearly eight years ago, when I was an eigth grader at Lee Middle. Volunteering was something I was used to doing with my family, but it quickly grew into a passion and hobby of mine. One of the first ManaTEEN sponsored opportunities I participated in was Adopt-a-Pet at the local Petsmart. My sister, and a friend of mine helped dogs and cats from the Humane Society get adopted and provided care for the animals too. For those like me who love animals there are always new opportunities to work with them and the Humane Society is always looking for foster families- just check your ManaTEEN e-mails each week! While animal welfare is a popular foci in the ManaTEEN Club, there are also many more opportunities that are interesting!
As a ManaTEEN member, you have the ability to volunteer at projects that deal with health and human services, disaster mitigation, preparedness, and response, the environment, and even technology! In the past I have been able to work with children at school festivals, serve food to Meals on Wheels recipients, and organize donations for those in need such as soldiers, expectant mothers, and senior citizens. Another project that I will never forget took place in Arcadia after Hurricane Charley hit. As a member of the ManaTEENs Advisory Council (MAC), I traveled to Arcadia with the rest of the council to restore a home that was severely damaged by the storm. Seeing the wreckage in the area was upseting, but I am very glad I had the chance to help out those who were affected. Even though the work we did in Arcadia was somewhat difficult and it was hot outside, I will always think back on the day and remember how much fun we had as a group! As for environmental projects, beach-cleanups are always exciting. The large amounts of trash collected from the beach really make you feel good about making these public spaces cleaner for visitors and the animals that live there.
The ManaTEEN Club gives youth the opportunity to make a difference in the community, but it does much more than that. When I first joined the club, I was very nervous. I was quiet and lacked confidence in myself. All of this changed when I started volunteering and when I participated in the trainings the club offers! The first training I attended was a Points of Light Youth Leadership training(PYLI) taught by ManaTEEN Club founder, Laura Lockwood. This training brought me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to people that became my best friends and whom I still talk with today! These people were like a second family to me and together we traveled to Tallahassee to conduct our own training on youth volunteerism, civic engagement and advocacy called Service Learning Impacting Citizenship(SLIC). The memories I have made as a ManaTEEN are incredible! As a ManaTEEN member I finally had friends and the doors that were opened to new opportunities were endless!
There are so many trainings that the ManaTEEN Club has. I have been extremely fortunate because I have been able to take not only the leadership trainings, but also aging sensativity training, Volunteer Reception Center training, journalism training at Poynter Institute, and Toastmasters, a public speaking course(a SPECIAL THANKS to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation). My writing skills, communication skills, leadership skills have all improved! These trainings have been helpful in college as well. The experiences I had as a ManaTEEN have built my character and allowed me to have an idea of what I wanted to pursue a career in.
After graduating from high school I was able to serve as an AmeriCorps* Summer VISTA because of the ManaTEEN Club. I have continued to serve my community and I am so grateful to the ManaTEEN Club!!!! I would not be the person I am today if it were not for my involvement in the Club and the amazing people! Now as a junior at the University of South Florida, I work for Volunteer Services of Manatee County, Inc and get to watch all the new members who join! Life couldn't be any better! I want to thank the Executive Director of the Volunteer Center, Adraine LaRoza, ManaTEEN Club founder and Program Director, Laura Lockwood, and the rest of the staff! I love you guys!
It is great to be a ManaTEEN Alum! I will always cherish my time as a ManaTEEN and the people whose lives I impacted, AND those who impacted mine! I could probably write a novel about my time as a ManaTEEN, but I'll bring this blog to an end- JOIN ManaTEENS!
posted by Ashley Bower
As a ManaTEEN member, you have the ability to volunteer at projects that deal with health and human services, disaster mitigation, preparedness, and response, the environment, and even technology! In the past I have been able to work with children at school festivals, serve food to Meals on Wheels recipients, and organize donations for those in need such as soldiers, expectant mothers, and senior citizens. Another project that I will never forget took place in Arcadia after Hurricane Charley hit. As a member of the ManaTEENs Advisory Council (MAC), I traveled to Arcadia with the rest of the council to restore a home that was severely damaged by the storm. Seeing the wreckage in the area was upseting, but I am very glad I had the chance to help out those who were affected. Even though the work we did in Arcadia was somewhat difficult and it was hot outside, I will always think back on the day and remember how much fun we had as a group! As for environmental projects, beach-cleanups are always exciting. The large amounts of trash collected from the beach really make you feel good about making these public spaces cleaner for visitors and the animals that live there.
The ManaTEEN Club gives youth the opportunity to make a difference in the community, but it does much more than that. When I first joined the club, I was very nervous. I was quiet and lacked confidence in myself. All of this changed when I started volunteering and when I participated in the trainings the club offers! The first training I attended was a Points of Light Youth Leadership training(PYLI) taught by ManaTEEN Club founder, Laura Lockwood. This training brought me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to people that became my best friends and whom I still talk with today! These people were like a second family to me and together we traveled to Tallahassee to conduct our own training on youth volunteerism, civic engagement and advocacy called Service Learning Impacting Citizenship(SLIC). The memories I have made as a ManaTEEN are incredible! As a ManaTEEN member I finally had friends and the doors that were opened to new opportunities were endless!
There are so many trainings that the ManaTEEN Club has. I have been extremely fortunate because I have been able to take not only the leadership trainings, but also aging sensativity training, Volunteer Reception Center training, journalism training at Poynter Institute, and Toastmasters, a public speaking course(a SPECIAL THANKS to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation). My writing skills, communication skills, leadership skills have all improved! These trainings have been helpful in college as well. The experiences I had as a ManaTEEN have built my character and allowed me to have an idea of what I wanted to pursue a career in.
After graduating from high school I was able to serve as an AmeriCorps* Summer VISTA because of the ManaTEEN Club. I have continued to serve my community and I am so grateful to the ManaTEEN Club!!!! I would not be the person I am today if it were not for my involvement in the Club and the amazing people! Now as a junior at the University of South Florida, I work for Volunteer Services of Manatee County, Inc and get to watch all the new members who join! Life couldn't be any better! I want to thank the Executive Director of the Volunteer Center, Adraine LaRoza, ManaTEEN Club founder and Program Director, Laura Lockwood, and the rest of the staff! I love you guys!
It is great to be a ManaTEEN Alum! I will always cherish my time as a ManaTEEN and the people whose lives I impacted, AND those who impacted mine! I could probably write a novel about my time as a ManaTEEN, but I'll bring this blog to an end- JOIN ManaTEENS!
posted by Ashley Bower
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The ManaTEENs H.O.L.L.A. Council
My name is Emily, I am a junior at Manatee High School and I am the vice president of the Helping Others Lead Learn and Acheive (HOLLA) Council. What the HOLLA Council is, is a teen led group that are members of the ManaTEEN club chosen to represent all ManaTEENs. Members of the HOLLA Council are from almost every school in Manatee and Sarasota county, public and private. So when I joined the HOLLA Council almost 2 years ago, I have had the opportunity to make so many friends that I would have never had the chance to meet. By being a part of the HOLLA Council I have also done some great volunteer projects! Not only are the projects fun, but so are our monthly bonding activities. For our bonding activities we usually choose a beach clean up/BBQ or bowling, we always have a great time! Before the HOLLA Council I was a very shy person but thanks to the Toastmasters training provided by the John S and James L Knight Foundation that was offered to the HOLLA Council, I have learned to become a great public speaker and have also become more outgoing! The HOLLA Council is not only a great group, it has also become a family, which I am proud to be a part of.
Beach Clean-up
My name is Tina and I am a 10th grader at Southeast High School!
Yesterday I did the beach cleanup and I had so much fun. Who knew, cleaning up a beach could be so exciting? We had a competition to see who could pick up the most trash. My bag was so full! I found bottles, food wrappers, ciggarette buts, and even a shoe! It has definitely made me more concerned about our beaches. I hope people will start realizing how important it is to save Florida's beaches, and not pollute as much!
Yesterday I did the beach cleanup and I had so much fun. Who knew, cleaning up a beach could be so exciting? We had a competition to see who could pick up the most trash. My bag was so full! I found bottles, food wrappers, ciggarette buts, and even a shoe! It has definitely made me more concerned about our beaches. I hope people will start realizing how important it is to save Florida's beaches, and not pollute as much!
Monday, July 7, 2008
West Palm Beach Reflection
West Palm Beach was SO much fun! My day started out at the pool in Hotel Biba where I was given the opportunity to be Bubble Blower Certified by trainer Rick Smith! I never knew being an enviromental snorkeler had so many components, such as the giant stride you must take when jumping from the boat, but I am proud to say I am now certified! Next, we headed to the dock where along with a few other ManaTEENs, staff members, and John S and James L Knight Foundation representatives (Jose, Julie, and Meredith) we were briefed by Captain CC on boat and underwater safety. He even taught us what to do in case of a lionfish,stingray, or baracuda injury! Then we all loaded the boat (The Narcosis). It was a very beneficial opportunity to meet Jose, Julie, and Meredith who along the way were all extremeley nice! Finally the boat made it to our first dive destination called Horse Shoe. The ManaTEEN group of scuba divers which consisted of Mandy Forsberg, Matt Meador, Paul Steinke, Travis Jorgenson, Captain CC, and Rick Smith, along with divers Jose and Julie made their way into the water and began their underwater clean-up. From atop the water, Ashley Bower and myself dived into our first snorkeling experience. Along with schools of fish, and the scuba divers we saw at the bottom, the most exciting site was the giant sea turtle that seemed to be making its way right toward us! We were astonished by the large amount of trash they collected including an abundance of fishing line .We even got to enjoy tons of different snacks and drinks provided by Suzie Forsberg. Thanks! A few short hours later after another dive at Casino, we all made it back to the dock where we loaded up our equipment and headed home, all with our own exciting personal stories!
posted by Alycia Bower
posted by Alycia Bower
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