|
|
Lifestyle News
|
|
Written by Chianti C. Cleggett
|
|
Wednesday, 25 April 2012 11:35 |
  One year after the April 2011 tornadoes, the devastation is still far-reaching. For Yolaine Joseph, the deepest impact was felt by the children who endured the storm. “Often, children are overlooked. We [tend to only] think about financial losses and physical pain,” she said.
Determined to highlight those who are often forgotten, Joseph took an opportunity presented by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) to create a project focused on children. “[My goal was] to tell the story through their eyes,” she said, recalling that nearly 200 kids were affected by the storm at Jackson-Olin High, where she teaches.
Together with her AFT partners, called a CARE team, Joseph produced the 30-minute documentary, “After the Storm: Children Surviving the April 2011 Tornado.” This is more than a story about children surviving a storm, said Joseph. “The DVD could be used in any tragic situation as a teaching tool to help kids.”
Joseph, who teaches theater at Jackson-Olin and English/Literature at Miles College, interviewed kids ages 8 to 17. Two girls from Pratt City and one in the Pleasant Grove area experienced total losses and remain unable to return home.
Six other students, including Joseph’s children, were from Fultondale, and are back home. “Even though [some of the students] did not lose everything, they were unable to live in their homes for at least two weeks.”
She continued, “As a director and producer, I want to be a voice and advocate for children. [These children] lost everything and experienced tragedy, but they are resilient.” Joseph, a Howard University alum, graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism and plans to create a series of documentaries on children’s issues. “I’m going back to my original passion,” she said.
“We can learn from children,” she added. “Even in the midst of a tragic situation, you can find an opportunity to see life in a new way, as a new beginning.”
“After the Storm” was filmed and edited by Patrick Johnson of Blaq Angel Media. It includes five original instrumentals by SoForReal Productions as well as the title track, “The Storm,” with lyrics written by Harrell Sherrod.
The documentary will be shown at the AFT national convention in Detroit, Michigan this July. Copies are $15 and can be ordered from Joseph at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. A portion of proceeds will be donated to fund college education for the students profiled in the documentary.
|
|
|
Lifestyle News
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Wednesday, 25 April 2012 11:32 |
 F.H.P.S. HOSA Students and Advisor
 F.H.P.S. Students, Friends and State Officers in Montgomery.
On February 9-10th seven of the 12 Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) members
from Fairfield High Preparatory School, accompanied by our teacher Ms. Willia Hite-Vain, attended
the 2012 State Leadership Conference. The State’s HOSA Leadership Conference was held in Montgomery, Alabama at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Spa.
The members attending were: Jasmine Gaddis, Bria Tyner, Felecia Crumble, Alexis Pettis, Diamond Dortch, Jaray Johnson, and Jonathan Gardner.
We were among more than 750 other HOSA students from across Alabama. Students competed in more than 45 competitive events and attended leadership workshops. We competed in Creative Problems Solving and Pharmacology. Pharmacology is the study of medicine. In the competition of Pharmacology the students were given 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete a test. It consisted of knowing how medications travel through the body, the adverse reaction of medications, dosage calculations, and other important information.
The HOSA members at FHPS are a family that is part of a bigger family called Alabama HOSA. The conference helped to expose the students to each other and to the health care professionals of the future.
We were elated to be afforded the opportunity to participate in this conference. The exposure has been great and opens doors for future competitive events. These events allow students to assess their knowledge and skills. This assessment allows the students to do a self-assessment for sincere career goals, and educational preparation for their desired goals.
The members of HOSA have decided to promote recruitment and plan appropriate fund-raisers so more students will be able to experience the diversities offered at the conference.
Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) is the Career Technical Student Organization that is an integral part of the Health Science Programs. It is secondary and post secondary. Therefore, high school students will compete with college students and they have fun. They believe that LEARNING IS FUN! |
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 2 of 2 |
Lifestyle
24.76% 