The retreat was a huge success. We feel our objectives for the retreat was met. We must thank the parents that helped to make the trip a success: Beverly, Joyce, Didi, Deadra, Alycia, Norma, Bruce, and Michael.
We were able to present 5 modules this weekend. After Group Leaders Beverly, Didi, and Deadra set the tone by outlining rules and expectations, we started out with Joyce presenting a financial module on credit and a leadership module on character. Later Alycia presented leadership modules on communication, and vision. Alycia and Michael paired up to present the risk taking module. All modules were well received. The teens were engaged and were able to win some money for correct answers.
The weekend was full of activities. We tried our hand at archery, with Alycia and Anneleise being sharp shooters. Ziplining was an experience. Beverly even faced her fear of heights. She shares, “I actually thought I was going to DIE! I can laugh about it now, but I was NOT a happy camper up there. I will let your teens tell you the story about that.” Everyone really enjoyed ziplining. We made s’mores and were impressed with Joyce’s mastery of making a fire. The boys played basketball with Benji perfecting his skateboarding skills. The girls took advantage of some great scenery to get in a photo shoot. There were late night bonding sessions for both the girls and boys.
Norma shared information about the Legislative Summit. We are looking forward to learning about the Legislative process, networking, participating in the Trayvon Martin panel discussion. Thanks to Norma for coordinating this together.
We discussed the mentoring program that will be rolled out to Group V. The idea behind the mentor program is to allow the upper classmen to gain additional leadership skills and to help the new teens to make a smooth transition into Group V. This will also help to hold the teens accountable to each other for participation. Thanks to Kelly for providing our mentor expectations and guidelines. We shared the pairings of mentors and mentees with the teens. I will email the teens with this information, along with the expectations for mentoring. This is also a good resume builder. Please encourage your teen to make the effort to participate in this.
Thanks for entrusting your teens to our care. We look forward to a wonderful year!!!
Your Group V Leaders,
Beverly, Didi, Deadra, Lynda
P.S. They had so much fun together, they would like to do a midnight movie! Details to come!
Gabrielle Pina’s play, Letters from Zora featuring Vanessa Bell Calloway at the Pasadena Playhouse, August 15th-18th.
The Reviews are In!
“I had the pleasure of seeing our Jack and Jill mom Gabrielle Piña ‘s play last night Letters From Zora and it was AMAZING! Vanessa Bell Calloway killed it! I went straight home in search of my Zora Neale Hurston reader I Love Myself When I am Laughing…. but I digress… Don’t miss this opportunity to see a great play and to be inspired. “
“Congratulations Gabe. It was an amazing play. The writing and acting soared. Hope all our parents and teens will see it.”
“I attended last nights performance and was totally entertained and inspired! Such a powerful performance and enlightening story! Bravo Ms. Pina!”
“Gabe, Amazing show. I really enjoyed tonight’s performance. Bravo! You are too fabulous.”
And an appreciative note from the playright herself:
“Thank you ladies for coming to see this work. Ron and I deeply appreciate your support, your words of wisdom, and those sweet nods of approval. Although this is an exciting time in my life, there have definitely been some challenging moments. Know that I will always remember your kindness and your enthusiasm for hanging in there with a sista. Thank you simply for being there. Love, Gabby”
The Archer School for Girls Shelby Mumford, left, and Seaf Hartley, right, join their classmates in preparing for an art gallery show as part of their Art Gallery Management and Design class at the Archer School for Girls. “We don’t all necessarily want to be curators when we grow up,” said Hartley, whose title is gallery director. “But if we become entrepreneurs or COOs of companies, we would use the same skill set of communicating and collaborating.” (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Congrats to Group 5 9th grader, Shelby Mumford as she places # 5 in Nation for her category in National French Contest! – (Le Grand Concours Exam conducted by American Association of French Teachers.)
Shelby was also featured in Los Angeles Times for her participation in Art Gallery Management and Design Class. (Click the above photo to read the full article!)
Wow – does not even come close to the warmth we all felt yesterday at Jack and Jill Day | Sr. Recognition. If you missed this event, you missed a treat!
As I said, I am terrible at saying good-bye. However, this is the absolute way to do it!
Lia and her committee (including the Jack on tech & photo’s) are to be commended for sending off our Senior and Grad Mothers in STYLE. The event was far more FAB than imaginable. The extra special touches were SUPERB!!!!
From the Group Promotions to Crafts for the little kids….and Lord those letters from the Mothers..what a delight. I get weepy even thinking about it…but I think our grad say it best ….
“absolutely lovely, we could not have asked for a better send off…beautiful and wonderful event!!” “This has been one of the best BFD/SR that I have attended”
Thanks to all who joined us. Looking forward to seeing you at Installation Sat, May 11 (8.30a) and June Planning, Sat June 1 (8.30a-1p). Let’s keep the Goodness going!!!
Bravo! You did it again. “All That Jazz” was all that and a bag!
I cannot tell you how many emails, texts, and calls I’ve gotten from friends, family, our Associates, Nat’l officers, and other guests. They simply loved it.
From the breathtaking views of the La Canada hillside to the amazing brunch to the elegant decor, people are still raving,
Thanks Mothers for all your hard work — selling tickets and finding Ridiculous auction items.
Very special thanks to Callie and the All That Jazz Committee for their tireless work…late phone calls…. sleepless nights. These ladies are Rock Stars!
They put together a Glam Fab event and by early indications — raised funds that surpassed last years.
Congratulations Pasadena Chapter….you women are Super Awesome!
Boys’ basketball: The rise of sophomore guard Kyle Leufroy
February 6, 2013 | 10:30 pm
There are lots of outstanding sophomore guards in Southern California, and one player who has distinguished himself is Kyle Leufroy of La Canada St. Francis.
He has averaged 20 points a game in the second half of the Mission League. Among his efforts include 24 points against Loyola, 22 against Chaminade and 21 against Crespi.
He’s going to be an all-league choice. He came to St. Francis after playing junior varsity as a freshman at Pasadena La Salle.
We are excited to announce that registration for the 2013 Summer Camp Season is officially OPEN! We’ve got another great line-up of new and continuing camp programs, and we look forward to seeing you back at UCLA this summer! Please visit www.uclabruins.com to view camp details and register. Take a few minutes to look at this year’s camp schedule, and look at the existing programs and a few new exciting ones as well. On our website, you can browse our 2013 camp selection, review our refund policy and get answers to other frequently asked questions.
As always, feel free to give our office a call or send us an email with any questions you may have. Remember, all of our camps have limited capacities, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please register early to secure your spot!
We will discuss Bliss by Gabrielle Pina. Feel free to invite and include others in your RSVP. The book is available in paperback, iPad and Kindle editions. Gabrielle is a current member of the Pasadena Chapter of Jack & Jill of America and she is an award winning fiction writer and novelist. She just completed the screenplay for Bliss.
Please join us for the discussion:
Monday, February 25 from 7:00pm, to 8:30pm
Hastings Branch of Pasadena Public Library
3325 East Orange Grove
Pasadena, CA 91107
Jack & Jill of America/ Pasadena Chapter 626/797-0365
Bliss is available at Vromans at will call. It’s under the book club named “Friends N Books”, on Amazon, and more.
Thank you all for joining us for the Jack and Jill Pasadena Holiday Gathering, “A Soulful Christmas”. It was simply a wonderful start to the holiday season.
From our little ones in Group I & II reciting Langston Hughes to our older children sharing their favorite holiday memories, it was a just wonderful afternoon. Let’s not forget the fabulous musical performances– piano selection, seasonal solo’s and the infamous Group V jazz Band.
This is really what the holidays are all about; celebrating together and enjoying our children….all topped off with a beautiful lunch and a visit from Santa.
Huge thanks to Pamela Simmons and Dana Weaver and their committee for putting together such a fab family event. Very fab!
I would also like to thank everyone for your donations to The Elizabeth House. Our gifts will go a long way in helping to serve a very deserving group.
Thanks again for joining us. Have a joyous Holiday Season.
We look forward to seeing you in January at the Day of Service (1/12), the Mothers’ Meeting (1/13), or Jack and Jill Inaugural Events (1/19 & 1/20).
As many of you may know, 15 of our Grp V teens have spent the last few days at the Far West Region Teen Conference with more than 400 teens from other chapters.
While at teen cnf, they compete in several categories, including TShirt, Scrapbook and Skit.
Well just hours ago the winners were announced …..and for the first time in almost 25 years PASADENA won 1st place in the skit competition!!
Yippee!!!!
This year they added a talent contest. Who other than our own Cameron Clayton PASADENA won the vocal contest!!!!
Congrats to our teens who all worked so hard.
Big thanks to Teen Adviser Pam Cosse–and her team …who are there with them every step of the way….scrapbooking, coordinating mtgs, etc..You ladies are fab!
Also big thanks to chaperons Leslie Richard Craven and Gina Tervalon-Levias and our dad chaperons Rudy Leufroy (Gloria) and Phillip Randall (Kim)–who doesn’t even have a teen, for hanging with the teens.
Congratulations again to our teens.
We are so very proud!
Thank you all for coming out to our AIM Event with Boys and Girls Club Pasadena.
With Cardio Salsa, Zumba, Soccer Clinic, and all things Healthy — (food, smoothies, etc.) we “Moved our Bodies”, “AIMed” BIG and HIT! We also made our mark in the community with the wonderful presentation of over $12,000 to BGC by National President, Tara Labrie.
Special thanks to Tanya Williams and the committee – Caryn Clayton, Roslyn Spence, Barbra Johnson, Tamera Street, Dru Ford, Eva Graham, and Greta Banks for putting together a wonderful event. You are so fab.
Check out the press in Pasadena Now and the great pix taken by Historian Eva Graham.
Regards,
Kathy Chappell Dossett
President,
Pasadena Chapter
Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
follow me on twitter
@jjpaspres
Free Community Fitness and Healthfair – AIM for Healthy Living – Move Your Body!
Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Pasadena Chapter, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena, is hosting the AIM for Healthy Living “Move Your Body” Fitness and Health Fair, a free, open-to-the public fitness and health fair on April 1 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Pasadena, 2020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena
This health fair is designed to provide basic health screenings, fitness demonstrations and information on careers in the health field.
There will be free screenings for blood pressure, oral health, diabetes, bioPhotonic scanning and healthy eating tips. There will also be activities for children, Zumba, music, and raffles.
In addition to the Fitness & Health Fair, Jack and Jill of Pasadena will be presenting a notable donation to the Mackenzie Scott Branch Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena, which was selected as a recipient of the 2011 Loose Change Grant.
Tara Labrie, National President Jack and Jill of America, Inc. along with other National and Regional Officers of the organization, will be making the presentation.
Check out the March 15-21 issue of Pasadena Journal Newspaper for an in depth article celebrating the success of one of our newest Jack & Jill Mothers. In this one-woman play starring the talented Vanessa Bell-Calloway that debuted to a sold-out full house at USC Bovard Auditorium – Gabrielle has crafted a well written story about the exciting and controversial life of Harlem Renaissance author Zora Neal Thurston.
G5 Bronson, Drummer, with MMS Amped Band wins 3rd in Garage Band Competition with several Pasadena Middle School Bands including Poly, Westridge, Barnhart, Mayfield, High Point, and Clairborne.
More than 190,000 people across the country participated in the 2011 African-American Read-In during Black History month. The Pasadena Jack & Jill Chapter participated as well. We are doing it again in 2012. This year, we are reading All The Trouble You Need by Jervey Tervalon. The author is a Jack & Jill dad and will join us for a discussion of the book. Our discussion will be held on Monday, February 27 at Corner Bakery at 3807 E Foothill Blvd. The book is available at a 10% discount at Vromans Bookstore in Pasadena (365 E Colorado Blvd). Just visit the Will Call department to ask for the reserved title.
G3’s Kelsey participated in the Museum of Tolerance’s Freedom’s Sisters Essay Contest for 4th – 8th graders in November. Kelsey selected Sonia Sanchez as her favorite Freedom’s Sister and explained how she would continue her legacy. Kelsey was one of 20 finalist (mostly 7th & 8th graders) selected from a pool of 200 essay submissions to be honored at the January program which acknowledged local Southern California Freedom’s Sisters, essay contest winners and finalists. On another note, Kelsey and her class are on their 2 week trip to Paris where they’ll go to school with Parisian children and visit local sites as part of their 5th grade curriculum!
G4’s Shelby and her Archer School for Girls school swim team are the middle school division champions. Shelby received individual medals for her freestyle and breaststroke contributions for her team! She and her mom, Didi, are pictured at their final meet.
“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” MLK
J&J Teens and Pre-Teens team up at the Boys & Girls Club, and literally began cleaning up the neighborhood streets of Pasadena armed with brooms, garbage cans, and gloves. Martin Luther King would have been proud!
About the MLK Day of Service:
After a long struggle, legislation was signed in 1983 creating a federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The federal holiday was first observed in 1986, making 2011 the 25th anniversary of the King federal holiday.
In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.”
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven played music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”
Group 4 October Activity was fun and well attended! The Middle Schoolers visited Diamond Bar Ranch in Glendale for a fun horsebackriding adventure. Thanks to hosts Lia and Roslyn!
“This has been one of the best BFD/SR that I have attended”
G4’s Shelby and her Archer School for Girls school swim team are the middle school division champions. Shelby received individual medals for her freestyle and breaststroke contributions for her team! She and her mom, Didi, are pictured at their final meet.
