What Now America

Last Saturday was a unique program at WNA, as visitors from local community organizations visited the program to engage the youth in creative and enriching activities, related to the day’s language theme. The youth were extremely enthusiastic about these new experiences, and shared appreciation of the program visitors.

The youth created two different creative art projects, in collaboration with Kristi, the executive director of ACE arts, a local community arts organization. A brainstorm of positive words began the session, as the youth thought of positive words that would encourage success in their lives. The youth helped generate a diverse list of words, including caring, truth, justice, and unity. The program came alive with creative activity as the youth stamped the words onto leather bracelets with colorful paint. Using paint pens, the youth embellished dark pieces of paper with their positive messages of choice, and added a wide range of visually appealing decorations. 

Following the artistic expression of the earlier part of the day, an exciting game called "Choices," presented by the Girl Scouts of Northern California. The game mimicked real life choices, and allowed youth to choose from four different tracks in life, including community service, entrepreneurship, and education. All of the youth participants enjoyed the game, either as players, or by playing an interesting role within the game, such as a hospital nurse, bank branch manager, or wedding planner. Funny moments ensued as the youth rushed to give floral bouquets for a pretend marriage, or a baby doll representing a new baby, despite the embarrassment of some players. The game also helped the youth practice reading skills by sharing the contents of different surprise cards with the other players.