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Do You Believe in Change?

09/12/2011 by Dan Fabrizio Leave a Comment

At Chase Wilson Education our primary focus is to raise awareness for the most threatening issues students face, while simultaneously educating them on how to prevent, or when needed – confront these problems in an informed and direct way. While our focus is on awareness and education, we never lose sight of the long-term goal. Our mission and all of the programs we use to support it are designed to empower students to make safer decisions and beyond this – to be better people.

This is why we believe in recognizing and celebrating students for their strong character and compassionate influence. These individuals are leaders in our opinion, students we can all learn valuable lessons from. These individuals inspired us to create CWE’s “Change-Makers” Program.

CHANGE-MAKERS are students (between the ages of 10-22) who through selfless and compassionate action inspire positive change in the world around them.

This program not only recognizes students who give back through community service or volunteer work but also individuals who through random acts of kindness, forgiveness, and understanding enrich the lives of people around them, inspiring other students to follow in their footsteps. Change-Makers are students who strive to make their schools and communities better not for personal gain or academic success, but because they truly want to make their world a better place. Some examples of their stories are…

A Student that stands up for a friend or classmate that is being bullied, despite the possible backlash.

A Student who creates a positive cause in their school or community, or gives selflessly to a worthy cause or movement.

A Student, who exemplifies through their action, a desire to connect, understand, or empathize with another individual or group that is very “different” from them.

A Student who contributes emotional support to a family, friend, or stranger in-need.

How The Program Works:

Students, parents, family-members and friends, as well as school counselors and teachers can send an email to us either through www.cweducation.com or via our Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/cweducation, nominating an individual for recognition and briefly telling us, “why they should be considered a Change-Maker.”

At least once a quarter, members of CWE’s Advisory Board will review these submissions and select one student who will be recognized as the next “Change-Maker.” This student and their story would be featured by CWE in the following ways…

A formal announcement would be posted during the first week of that month on CWE’s web site, Facebook Fan Page, and Twitter Page.

That student’s story would be shared on CWE’s Blog, explaining why that student is a “Change-Maker.”

A formal announcement would be sent out in CWE’s latest e-newsletter, informing sponsors, followers, and supporters of this student’s achievement.

At the end of that month, a short video vignette would be posted on CWE’s YouTube Channel featuring interviews with that student and others involved in their story.

Student would be recognized as a “Change-Maker” at all of CWE’s events and programs during that year.

Each “Change-Maker” will become immediately eligible for a $1,000.00 scholarship.

In September of each year, one “Change-Maker” will be announced as The “Change-Maker of the Year.” CWE’s followers and supporters will be encouraged to review video stories of the 4-6 nominees on CWE’s Facebook Fan Page and vote for the student they feel is worthy of the distinction.

“The Change-Maker of the Year,” will be awarded the $1,000.00 scholarship and recognized for their accomplishment in all of CWE’s marketing efforts during the next year.

All nominees of every year will be invited to become decision-makers for the program in the next year, reviewing and voting for future quarterly and yearly “Change-Makers.”

If you know or think you are a Change-Maker tell us why.

Filed under Change-Makers

About Dan Fabrizio
Dan Fabrizio is a graduate of Rutgers University (Class of ’03) where he majored in Journalism and Mass Media and minored in Cinema Studies. While at Rutgers University, Fabrizio wrote, directed, and co-produced the independent film Wasteland; the first-ever feature-length film created by Rutgers University Students. Wasteland was awarded Best Student Film at the 2003 New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. After college, Fabrizio worked as a locations assistant on several feature-length films including Imaginary Heroes (2004), starring Sigourney Weaver, and War of the Worlds (2005), starring Tom Cruise and directed by Steven Spielberg. In 2004, Fabrizio finished his third film, a short titled The Playground which went on to win The Audience Choice Award for Best Film at the 2005 Super 8 Film and Video Festival. The Playground was affiliated with The New Jersey Media Arts Center / Rutgers Film Co-Op. Since March of 2004, Fabrizio has worked as a producer, writer, and director at Chase Wilson – an Emmy-Nominated production company located in Northern New Jersey. At CW he often also assumes writing and directing responsibilities on a variety of different productions including commercials, documentaries, interactive and educational programs, marketing and promotional videos, and TV shows. In 2009, Fabrizio wrote and directed "Sticks & Stones;" a film that deals with the horrible consequences that cyber bullying has on the life of an average teenager. S&S is being shown in High Schools nationally as part of a comprehensive educational program that raises overall awareness to the dangers of cyber bullying. Fabrizio has also written several feature-length screenplays and TV pilots. In 2008, his feature-length film script "Stolen Sky" was named a Finalist at Scriptapalooza’s annual screenplay competition.