When The Self Esteem Queen Speaks, the crowd listens...Valley View High School

Last Thursday, I made a special trip to Moreno Valley so I could once again speak at Valley View High School.  As an Expert on grief, sometimes my job is to bring a bit of joy and hope when situations arise with students in high schools and colleges.  In April of this year, I spoke at Valley View in the wake of the death of a special teacher and friend to many students - Brenda Kincaide.  Breast Cancer took her life, and I wanted to come and bring a message of HOPE to the kids and teachers.... 




 

Over the summer, one of our fellow Eagles was on her way home from Summer School and was found 5 days later murdered.  Her name was Norma Lopez.

I was disturbed that after seeing countless news cameras and trucks saturate the campus - NO ONE had voluteered to come and speak to these kids about DEATH.....I then found out that 2 more teachers passed away over the summer, so I knew I had to do SOMETHING.

Some people talk it, but I CHOOSE to WALK it...I got in contact with both Deborah Abry, my 9th grade Honors English teacher (who I love more than words can express).... and Ronn Raymond (who is the most nonchalant amazing man ever), my ASB Teacher to make it happen!

 
A month later, I found  myself in the middle of a football stadium with 3000 high school students staring at me from both sides of the field....

 I started by simply asking a question as I had done in April - "By a show of hands, how many of you have every been in a traumatic situation?"  Hands shot up all over the football stadium which reconfirmed that I was supposed to be there at that EXACT moment.  

If you know me, you know that I don't plan my keynotes.  I feel led at all times by my inner spirit which has never led me wrong.  I called down a friend of Norma Lopez to speak because I wanted these students to see what their fellow peers are going through mentally as they pass by in the hallways....What happened after that was truly amazing...

I cried as I listened to the story of a girl who found it hard to cope with life.  I listened to the voice of a young girl so choked up that I was in awe at her strength to speak to the whole student body about her pain.  When did we stop caring about our teens?  When did people stop offering to help grieving students AND teachers?  I went IN on bullying, being popular, reading books, turning off the TV, and so many other things...

 When did we stop taking the time to HUG our students?  I cry as I write this because I'm saddened I'm not helping MORE students.  I'm sad BUT determined to make a DIFFERENCE.

 Sometimes, it pays to just be real and tell your story.  Teenagers are not stupid.  They respect the truth and know when you're telling them a lie.

 When I was in the 9th grade, Mrs. Abry gave me this card when I was having a rough time in school:

 When I went to her class, she was clearing out some things (SHE'S RETIRING!!!) and found this poem from my freshman year!!!!!!!!!!! 

My life is always a 360 - the poem eventually got me into the California Thematic Interpretation Championships where I went on to win 6th place in the state of California in 1996 at a WHOLE different high school!  

That same poem won me a 1st place Novice Trophy at a Speech Tournament at Loyola Marymount University where the President happened to be sitting in on my final presentation before I was named the winner, and eventually invited me to attend the University which I did!

This day was also made possible because wonderful people like Robert Brough, Dean of Students and Jennifer Castillo, Assistant Principal, care so much about the students that they went out of their way to ensure that this event went on with pure ease, precision, and absolutely not one mishap...

I want to thank each and every student and teacher in attendance.  I am committed to continuing to assist with mentoring in the near future at Valley View High School.


In a World full of CHAOS I'd be remiss to not let you know to HOLD ON - POSSIBILITIES EXIST™ 

I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin you can do about it!!! 

Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™

© 2010 Dawn The Self-Esteem Queen™ All rights reserved. H.O.P.E (Hold on, Possibilities Exist) is a Registered Trademark for Dawn Johnson/SEQ Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Dawn The Self Esteem Queen™ is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, author, business coach & small business consultant, serial entrepreneur and spoken word artist. Founder of the SEQ/H.O.P.E. Movement™, Dawn uses her trials to mentor, minister, and coach people all over the World. One of today’s leading experts on teen mentoring, self-esteem enhancement, personal & professional leadership, and entrepreneur development, Dawn’s mission in life is to teach individuals how to BE BETTER Human Beings. Her goal is to raise awareness and eradicate the exploitation of teenagers all over the Globe. Her Current Projects include: SEQ Acedemy,  ImGayNowWhat.com™, Stop Teenage Prostitution™, What Does Cancer Look Like™, Consumer Vigilantes™,& the highly anticipated H.O.P.E. Mindset™ Program. 

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