2012 SYF Administrator of the Year: Seith Bedard

Seith Bedard Selected as Administrator of the Year by SYF
Peabody Learning Academy Director is the 2012 Recipient

From left to right: Julie Carriere (Education Services Coordinator),
Dr. J. Michael Durnil (SYF President & CEO),
Della Lefevers (Admin. Services-Education Services),
Seith Bedard (Director, Peabody Learning Academy)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Simon Youth Foundation is proud to announce Seith Bedard as the 2012 Administrator of the Year. This honor is bestowed on a professional who has demonstrated excellence in leading an academy towards overall success. Bedard's dedication guiding teachers and students to perform at extraordinary levels speaks volumes of his character. He wants everyone to realize their potential and works tirelessly to do so.

"Often, I am the only role model or parental figure in my students' lives. Therefore, it's imperative that I show my dedication to their success," said Bedard. "Helping these students and providing them with guidance not just in school, but in life, has really empowered them to make better choices and contribute to society in a positive way."

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Boston with a master's degree in Special Education from American International College, his efforts go beyond the walls of the academy. Bedard is on the Board of Directors for the North Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross. He also worked with the district to create the Peabody Alternative Night School and works extensively with the Workforce Investment Board of the North Shore. Bedard has been a keynote speaker for the Pearson Publishing Seminar and presented to more than 500 school officials about the work done at the Peabody Learning Academy.

"We are proud to add Seith Bedard to our list of distinguished educators," said Dr. J. Michael Durnil, SYF President & CEO. "He ignites hope to drive student success and has helped to continue positioning the Simon Youth Foundation as a national leader in non-traditional education and student retention."

Sharing Best Practices: 2012 SYF Annual Conference

Teachers and administrators of Simon Youth Academies across the United States have gathered in Orlando, Florida for the 2012 SYF Annual Conference. This works in conjunction with the 24th Annual National Dropout Prevention NetworkConference. Marrying the two organizations gives everyone a unique opportunity to share best practices in both a large and small setting. The three-day event is a comprehensive look at the most important initiatives and issues facing the youth of today.

2012 SYF Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, October 2012

Empowered by Partnerships is the theme of the SYF conference. Working together as one will help the academies work smarter not harder. On Sunday, attendees were welcomed and got to know one another in an intimate setting. The unique ice breaker had each person bring with them a small gift that was representative of where they work. For example, one brought candy from a company based in the area while another brought a sports t-shirt from the professional team in their city. In addition, SYF President and CEO Dr. J. Michael Durnil talked about the key engagement activities, new branding, enhancement grants and much more.

Monday started bright and early as breakfast gave everyone an opportunity to meet experts in residence. The primary goal of this initiative is to pair up academies with individuals who can lend support and guidance not only during the conference but as they go back into their education centers. After some sessions guided by the Dropout Prevention Network, SYF administrators and teachers came back together for two workshops led by Dr. Sylvia Rockwell. A member of Kappa Delta Pi (an international honorary society for educators) and education consultant with Tactical Teaching, Rockwell walked everyone through the hot topics of teaching at-risk learners and how manage “You can’t make me” moments. Her thirty plus years of experience helped these participants through her efforts and other best practices.

The evening events capped off the day and recognized the efforts of those in the field. In addition, two individuals were singled out as the 2012 Administrator of the Year and Teacher of the Year. The Administrator of the Year is Seith Bedard, Director of SimonYouth Peabody Learning Academy at Northshore Mall in Massachusetts. The Teacher of the Year is Katie Burton, Student Services Coordinator at Simon Youth ClarkPleasant Academy in Whiteland, Indiana.

Look for more about the Tuesday and Wednesday wrap-up coming later in the week.

Arsenal Mall's Touch-a-Truck, A Success

More than a dozen vehicles of all makes, models and sizes rolled into Watertown's Arsenal Mall Saturday the 6th for the fourth annual "Touch a Truck" event. It provided residents with an up-close look at a variety of trucks and vehicles.

Vehicles like the Watertown Police Department cruiser, a Massachusetts State Police cruiser, a Pizzeria Regina delivery truck, a WEEI vehicle, an American Red Cross ambulance, a dump truck, a front end loader, a BOND Bros truck, and more, gave attendees a wide array of wheels.

Blinkee the Clown made a special appearance and many got their face painted for the occasion. This year was their best yet with $2845 total dollars collected and 561 wristbands given out. With the split, they raised $1,707 for Franciscan Hospital for Children and $1138 for Simon Youth Foundation.

SYF is very grateful for the support and hard work put forth to make this event happen. It not only raises awareness about what the foundation does, it also will directly affect the students as they pursue their degrees and turn dreams into reality.

Getting Some Color

Have you ever done the Color Run? If your answer is no - why not? There are some upcoming, so if you are in Memphis, Chicago or Nashville get signed up. The Indianapolis episode was great and attracted many from around the state of Indiana. One of these was Amanda Baker of Brownsburg who had heard some good things and decided to give it a try. Not being competitive but looking for some active fun, she and her husband headed to the race. They even attracted a few friends to join them.

"I did the Color Run because I was trying to be healthy this summer and if I am going to run for an extended period of time, I wanted it to be fun," said Amanda. "It also benefited a local charity, SYF. What is more fun than having different colors thrown at you AND giving back for a good cause?"

While she wasn't sure what to expect, any preconceived notions were blown away.

"What a great time. I was literally covered from head to toe in color. They had a good turnout and many people seemed to stick around afterwards for the party. I'll be back next year."

She was adamant that everyone should try this regardless of their fitness level. The whole point is to get outside, be active and have a blast doing it. Learn more about the Color Run and where the crew will be heading next. Follow in Amanda's footsteps - you can probably find them painted on the streets of Indianapolis.

Gary Thrapp: Our Friend In Deed

Gary Thrapp, local business owner of G. Thrapp Jewelers and longtime friend to the Simon Youth Foundation, was shot during a robbery at home just after midnight on Sunday, September 16, 2012. All of us at Simon Youth Foundation are keeping Gary in our thoughts as he moves toward recovery.

Gary and his wife invited friends to make donations to the Foundation in lieu of sending flowers to the family. This generous gesture is indicative of the friendship and support the Thrapp family has shared with SYF for many years. Even in his own time of need, Gary is igniting hope for students once at risk of dropping out of high school.

The philanthropic relationships we share with our donors are unique to each person. At SYF, we are often humbled and surprised at the many ways in which our donors connect with us. We are so grateful to the Thrapp family now and always.

G. Thrapp Jewelers is posting regular updates regarding Gary’s recovery on the G. Thrapp Jewelers' facebook page. Please join us in sharing best wishes with the Thrapp family for Gary’s swift and full recovery.

UPDATED: After Year Fore Comes Five

UPDATE ON WEDNESDAY, SEP. AUG. 26
This year's Annual Tees for Education raised nearly $27,000. Thanks to each and every one of you who made this possible!




ORIGINAL POST ON FRIDAY, SEP. 14
September 14, 2012, marks the Simon Youth Foundation’s 5th Annual Tees for Education golf scramble. Despite chilly, damp conditions on the 18-hole course at The Legends of Indiana Golf Club, a nearly full field of dedicated foursomes teed up in support of the Foundation’s two key program initiatives, Simon Youth Scholarships and Simon Youth Academies.

In the time it took this year’s Tees for Education golfers to play their round, more than 450 high school students dropped out of high school. Simon Youth Foundation answers this epidemic each and every day through its programs that help youth—who are at risk of dropping out of high school—graduate, develop life skills, and pursue post-secondary education career paths.

Special thanks to the many corporate and individual sponsors who kept The 5th Annual Tees for Education swinging smooth, including Eagle Sponsors TES Engineering and GES.

We look forward to posting updates regarding total amounts raised during the scramble. In the meantime, please check out the Simon Youth Foundation Flicker page to catch up with today's highlights. Who knows … you might even learn who won longest putt!

It's Never to Late to Say Thanks

Scholarship essay winner Jackson O. at the re-opening
of The Academy at Opry Mills in Nashville, TN.
August 2012

Even as fall academic terms are well underway, thank you letters are still trickling in from student recipients who received Simon Youth Scholarships this summer.

Simon Youth Foundation is so pleased to share these communications as a gesture of our own thanks to our supporters, without whom we wouldn’t be able to help students at risk of dropping out of high school to develop life skills, achieve high school graduation and pursue post-secondary education career paths.

Here are some excerpts from the latest batch of thank you letters.

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your financial contribution toward my college education. I look forward to pursuing a degree in Sociology and Ethnic Studies at Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland this fall. Your generosity continues to inspire me to help others and give back to the community. Thanks to you, I am one step closer to that goal.
Evelyn C.
Baltimore, MD

As a recipient of the Simon Youth Foundation Community Scholarship, please accept my profound thanks for helping me realize my life's dream of a college education. Not only is the financial help appreciated, but being recognized as a scholarship winner is even more of an honor. I am inspired by the confidence you have placed in me and I intend to work diligently to deserve that investment. I cannot thank you enough.

Rachel C.
Rising Sun, Indiana

I am planning on attending the University of Maine in the field of Mechanical Engineering Technology and plan on staying at home to cut back on expenses. I really appreciate receiving this scholarship because it, along with my summer job, has paid for my first semester of classes. By receiving your scholarship … I don't have to take out a loan to pay for my expenses. I really appreciate that you picked me for this scholarship because it will most definitely help me to continue in further education.

Travis C.
Old Town, ME

I am honored to have been chosen as one of your scholarship winners. Your gift is certainly appreciated and will allow me to focus on my studies rather than worrying about finances as I head off to Thiel College. I am truly thankful and blessed because of your generosity. Thank you again for this award.

Cassie G.
Sharpsville, PA

I would like to thank the Foundation for helping me pursue my dreams and goals of attaining a BA, or maybe ever a Master's degree in Business Management Economics as I attend the University of California Santa Cruz. Thank you so very much; this scholarship will help my family and I a great deal as tuition bills start coming in.

Gregory L.
San Jose, CA

Thank you so much for awarding me with a generous scholarship. It is such a big help in my transition into college, and I am honored that I was selected to get it. The award will lessen the financial burden for myself and particularly my Mom & Dad.

I am starting as a Freshman at Immaculata University in just a couple weeks, where I will be studying Fashion Merchandising. I would not have made it this far if it weren't for the Foundation and the absolutely amazing teachers at my school [Simon Youth Rose Tree Media Academy at Granite Run Mall]. I am so grateful of the help I got in high school and the preparation I got for college at the [Academy]. Again, thank you so much for my scholarship and I will keep in touch through my college years.

Olivia M.
Media, PA

I plan to be a mechanical engineering major and want to work with renewable energy … By awarding me the SYF Community Scholarship, I can focus less on my financial need and more on the importance of school and my education. Thank you for your generosity, and I hope someday I will be able to help students in financial need as you have for me.

Macklin W.
South Yarmouth, MA



Finally, we’d like to share the thank you we received from a student who participated in an essay contest held in conjunction with the recent re-grand opening of The Academy at Opry Mills.

I would like to thank you and the Simon Youth Foundation for awarding me this generous scholarship opportunity. Thank you for giving me the chance to share my story and recognizing my achievements. I have been through a lot throughout my life, and plan on putting my scholarship to good use. With this award I can go to the college I want and try to utilize my college experience to further educate myself and succeed in the job world. I will keep my grades up and keep you updated on my grades. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity.

Jackson O.
Nashville, TN