 –Bret Harte Middle School student Jesus Barajas, age 13, was awarded a $4,200 scholarship from Start Something, a free nationwide character education, volunteer service and career exploration program created by Target and the Tiger Woods Foundation. After-School All-Stars (AAS-LA) incorporated the Start Something curriculum in its after school programs throughout the city of Los Angeles.
To earn this scholarship, Jesus completed several Start Something activities designed to help him think about his goals, focus on his interests and develop an action plan linked to his ideas. An aspiring musician, Jesus has thrived from his participation in Start Something, overcoming his shyness and learning how to express himself by helping others. Jesus, as well as many other students took part in a recent Charity All-Star Bowing Classic organized by After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. His interactions with seven students from New Orleans who were displaced by the storm also encouraged him to open up and interact with his peers.
“Jesus was moved and inspired when he met the students from New Orleans,” said Julia Gabor, AAS group leader. “He was enthusiastic and filled with positive energy. I was impressed with the ease he had with the other students.”
After completing his action plan, Jesus qualified to win a Start Something scholarship, which range from $100 to $5,000, to continue pursuing any positive dream or goal. He attended the Village Performing Arts Camp in England this summer.
Jesus is among 5 students that were awarded scholarship grants this year from the After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles program. The other students are following their dreams/goals in subjects such as football camps, clarinet lessons, and martial arts camps and schools.
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