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[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"39574","attributes":{"class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","alt":""}}]]The Power of Children Awards nominator, Troy Cockrum, highlights his nomination of 2010 POCA winner Claire Helmen.
If you, or someone you know in grades 6-11, is making an extraordinary difference in the lives of other, nominate them for the Power of Children Awards at childrensmuseum.org/poca.
All teachers have special students. Each year, a group of wonderful children come through our classes. But, over the course of a career, we may only have a handful of truly exceptional students. From 2008-2010, I had the honor of teaching Claire Helmen. Claire was your average middle schooler, trying to fit in, not wanting to draw attention, but at the same time wanting so desperately to stand out. Claire had a secret. At age 12, she started an organization called Claire’s Comfort for Kids.
Claire had heard her mother telling stories about children that were caught in the middle of traumatic situations and decided to make and distribute blankets for sheriff’s departments across the state of Indiana. Emergency responders now carry these blankets with them to give to distressed children.
I visited the Power of Children exhibit in 2010, and was intrigued by the award display. I immediately thought of Claire. I was excited to hear that Claire was one of the award winners. Even better, the accolades associated with this award are something Claire would never seek out herself. Watching Claire beam as she received her reward, spoke at the award ceremony, and was interviewed by news outlets was a reward for me. Seeing her honored, seeing her grow as a person and also build her organization because of the confidence the Power of Children Awards instilled in her made me proud to know her and to have nominated her. If you have that special student in your life, don’t hesitate to nominate them. The joy it brings to you is as great as the joy it brings to them.
For more information about Claire’s project, go to her video.
Photo: Claire Helmen, 2010 POCA winner.
