Silver Knights Award (Please read. I could use sme advice)

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

<p>Hey guys.</p>

<p>In most Southern States, there is a prestigious award referred to as the Silver Knights that goes “to students whose record of service to the school and community best exemplifies an unselfish and continuous use of talents in helping others.” </p>

<p>I was approached by one of my teachers about participating in Silver Knights (for next year) because I had a lot of service hours, and a good academic profile.</p>

<p>The thing is, for Silver Knights, you must perform an astounding task in order to have a slight chance of winning. </p>

<p>Past winners have gone to South America to help out impoverished children, adopted a family (as in providing clothes, food, etc. on Christmas, Thanks Giving, etc.), and such.</p>

<p>My teacher recommended that I tried to, by some mean, raise money to purchase book-bags, unfiroms, etc. for the children attending Oprah Winfrey’s school in South Africa. The thing is, I have no idea with how to even begin to accomplish such a task. That is why I am asking you guys to offer some advice on how I could get this done if it’s even possible. </p>

<p>In addiotion, do you think the idea makes any sense? I mean, these children are fostered by Oprah Winfrey; they should have bags and uniforms. But then again, maybe not.</p>

<p>Also, do you guys have any other ideas that might not be as big as donating to Oprah’s school, but just as commendable?</p>

<p>I come to you guys because I know that the CCers are some of the brighest and best thinkers in the country. </p>

<p>Please help. </p>

<p>Deep regards,
Rosh420.</p>

2

<p>Try to contact Oprah.</p>

3

<p>How would I do that, Armando?</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice. But I don’t know how would go about in doing so? Care to enlighten me on what to do?</p>

4

<p>Bump. :slight_smile: Bumpy. :p</p>

5

<p>I think that instead of focusing on international issues/aid, you might want to focus on domestic issues like homelessness. Try to help out any way you can, even though you will not get spoon fed as to the exact nature of the initiative. If you care enough, it will come to you. Good luck!</p>

6

<ol>
<li><p>To my knowledge, the Slver Knight Award is related only to the Miami Herald, and its name comes from the Herald’s former association with Knight Ridder, Inc., an association that ended last year when Knight Ridder was bought out. For all I know, it’s possible that the Silver Knight awards will not be continued.</p></li>
<li><p>The people who get such awards don’t do things to get such awards, they follow their own interests and passions, and as a result of their achievements, they end up getting awards. Students who have gotten regional community service awards have a history of longterm community service that is usually local and that has had some kind of singificant impact usually related to some issue that they personally care about. They didn’t pick a service project to impress, but did a service project because they cared about the issue.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I am speaking from experience as a person who has gotten regional and national community service awards and whose teen son got a regional service award. Neither he nor I did our projects to try to gain awards for ourselves, but to try to help a cause that we believed in. And, hours that we put in weren’t what was important, but what was important was the impact of what we did.</p>

<p>My personal thoughts are that people who ask on CC about what kind of projects would help them get community service awards are probably not the kind of people who end up winning community service awards.</p>

7

<p>Um, excuse me Northstarmom, but I don’t know who you think you are to be speaking to me in such a tone. I am not your child, and I don’t need a lesson from you from about doing things that come from the heart- I already do enough of that. </p>

<p>If you have nothing positive to say, I would prefer if you kept your mouth shut. I am not trying to come up with a plot just to win an award. Before the teacher approached me, I had no interest in the Silver Knights thing. I am not trying to gain anything for myself. My teacher thought that I would be an excellent candidate because I do so much community service work (thousands of service hours). I told her what type of service I performed and she basically told me to try and she recommended the Oprah thing.</p>

<p>I thought the idea was a little ludicrous so I sought the advice of HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. I didn’t come here to receive pessimistic criticisms from some hooligan.</p>

<p>P.S- When I DO win next year, I hope you’re hear to help me celebrate. :)</p>

8

<p>I have never had any problems with any member on this board, but Northstarmom your post just made me livid. How dare you question my character. </p>

<p>Go and kick rocks.</p>