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Are the Kids Alright?

Posted by Cynthia Brian on
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Empowerment
Are the Kids Alright?
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MIRACLE MOMENT®

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.” Marianne Williamson 


PEAR AND WINE FESTIVAL, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH&

Welcome pear festivalOur teen radio host and reporter, Sharayna Roy, is busy chairing the involvement of Be the Star You Are!® in the Pear and Wine Festival to be held Saturday, September 24th at the Moraga Commons Park in Moraga, not far from St. Mary’s College. Our booth will have a variety of super fun activities for kids including making pin wheels, planting seeds for literacy, reading circles, and spin the wheel. She is also organizing a lottery for great prizes, and a bargain book bin. Several of our hosts and reporters from Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio will be in attendance to talk to attendees. Cynthia Brian will be autographing the new picture book, No Barnyard Bullies along with her other bestselling books and there will be more surprises. The festival itself promises food, music, games, jump houses, inflatables, pie eating contests, and of course wine! Come play from 11-3pm for a day of family fun and love. Many thanks to our sponsors, The Lamorinda Weekly, www.LamorindaWeekly.comand MB Jessee Painting, www.MBJessee.com

More info at https://www.bethestaryouare.org/events-1/2022-pear-and-wine-festival-a-day-of-free-family-fun

Sharanya-STAR


SIMPLE KINDNESS

kindness quote 2It’s often the little things that brighten our moments.  We may wonder how a simple nod of the head or a good morning smile could make a difference.  But if someone is depressed or even feeling a bit down, that simple gesture can be a reminder that they are valued.

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Karen Kitchel who penned two chapters in the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She serves meals to the homeless and is a volunteer teacher, writer, job coach, and mentor. www.scatteringkindness.com


See You At the Pear and Wine Festival!

We invite you to get involved, volunteer, make a difference and donate.

Thanks for being YOU!
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Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3

PO Box 376

Moraga, Ca. 94556
Are the Kids Alright?


A MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CYNTHIA BRIAN

2021 Pear Festival-covid-masks down (1) 2Tattooed on seven time Formula 1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton’s chest is the phrase “Powerful Beyond Measure”. As a dyslexic Black kid in a predominantly white school, he struggled academically, was bullied by classmates, and told by teachers that he would never be anything. With determination, grit, and stamina, he proved everyone wrong to become one of the most famous athletes on the planet. 

Lewis’s trajectory is an admirable success story. He’s a role model with a lesson about believing in yourself, no matter the odds.

Today’s youth are in crisis with soaring rates of depression and anxiety. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 10 high school students attempted suicide in 2021. Between 2010 and 2020 suicide rates rose 53%. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for teenagers.

This is alarming.

At Be the Star You Are!®, the majority of the people we work with are adolescents, many of whom are immigrants or children of immigrants from numerous countries, creeds, and cultures. On our unedited and uncensored teen radio broadcast, Express Yourself!™, our young reporters and hosts tackle and debate issues that concern them. The Supreme Court’s unpopular decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade has many high school seniors, both male and female, deciding not to apply to colleges in states where bodily autonomy and freedom of choice is not guaranteed. The political turmoil, sexism, racial intolerance, white supremacy increase, anti-immigration fervor, conspiracy theories, unabated lies, gun violence, Russia’s war, and the rise of autocracy have these young people understandably worried. Climate change and global warming instill a fear that our future Earth may not be hospitable to humans. By talking about these realities and sharing their opinions, our thoughtful and intelligent teens shine a light on how we can be powerful beyond measure when we embrace democracy, peace, and love. Select a topic and tune in at 

https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2014/express-yourself . When teens talk, the world needs to listen.

As parents, teachers, and guardians we strive to understand, to guide, to be truthful. We need to be role models, share experiences, provide love, and show approval. The new children’s picture book, No Barnyard Bullies,addresses these and other complex issues in the hope of instilling kindness and inclusivity in children from a young age. No one likes a bully, not even in the animal kingdom. Read more: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1615/New-childrens-book-addresses-complex-issues-of-kindness-and-inclusivity.html

For a joyful family day, come join us at the Pear and Wine Festival on Saturday, September 24th in Moraga. Our teen chairperson, Sharayna, has a multitude of free, fun activities to entertain kids.

Remember we don’t have to dim the light of others to have our own shine brightly. Be the unapologetically star you were born to be and be powerful beyond measure. 

Let’s help our kids be alright!

With gratitude,

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org

http://www.BTSYA.org

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504


NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK COMBATS BULLYING!

FRONT COVER-sm-NoBarnyardBullies copyBe the Star You Are!® is excited to announce the launch of a new children’s picture book series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures, authored by Executive Director, Cynthia Brian, with proceeds benefiting Be the Star You Are!®. Each book is based on a true story that happened to adopted animals in Cynthia’s menagerie. Debuting in October will be NFT’s related to the series with exclusive experiences and empowerment events.

The animal kingdom is filled with timely and timeless tales that are relatable to humans. The animal family of Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures experiences complex encounters that challenge their integrity, individuality, and character while amplifying diverse expressions and original viewpoints to co-exist as a group. The barnyard animals address critical issues facing children including bullying, nature, power struggles, adversity, adoption, homelessness, creativity, justice, health, kindness, ethnicity, and being different through a cultural lens of hope and resolution. With visually rich illustrations, each picture book moves a child to appreciate all animals while learning the lessons the natural world teaches humans.

Back Cover No Barnyard Bullies

Each book is 32 pages peppered with lively conversations between the species. Glorious, colorful animated illustrations of the characters by the talented Jensen Russell bring the prose and poetry dialog to life.  Read more: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1615/New-childrens-book-addresses-complex-issues-of-kindness-and-inclusivity.html

JensenRussel fairytale photo

Illustrator, Jensen Russell

No Barnyard Bullies follows a pampered piglet who lives in an apartment as she is re-homed to a barnyard filled with happy critters. Thinking that she is the Queen, she bullies the other animals until she is stopped by a tiny bunny who defends a three-legged goat from her attacks. Everyone is equal in Stella Bella’s barnyard where bullies are not tolerated and inclusiveness is paramount .  Advance purchases at a discount available in our online store. https://www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store/No-Barnyard-Bullies-COMING-SOON-PRE-ORDERS-ONLY-AT-A-DISCOUNT-p486474870

baby pig Cookie cyn-first night 3


HELP CONTINUE THE POSITIVE WORKS! DONATE TODAY!BTSYA-Banner-Logo copy


OUR INTERNATIONAL RADIO BROADCASTS!

Be empowered, motivated, energized, informed and amused.

Truthful, heartfelt, and engaging topics and guests!
Both Radio shows

 
 
 
 
LIVE on Wednesdays from 4-5pm PT, be entertained, informed, amused, and educated on StarStyle-Be the Star You Are!. Then be inspired and motivated on

Sundays from 3-4pm PT, it’s Express Yourself! Teen Radio with our Be the Star You Are! star teen hosts and reporters.
 
VISIT https://www.StarStyleRadio.com for our line-up of topics and guests.

SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP!

We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.
1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

2020 Amazon smile logo

2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

Giving Assistant Icon 234x60

3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

2020 IGIVE logo

5. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store: http://www.starstylestore.net/

T-shirts 

BTSYA 3 book series

6. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4

DIRECT LINKS

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Be Kind and Inclusive! 

Be the Star You Are!

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Back to School and Exciting Announcements

Posted by Cynthia Brian on
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Empowerment
Back to School and Exciting Announcements

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MIRACLE MOMENT®

“Learning is acquired by reading books; but the much more necessary learning, the knowledge of the world, is only to be acquired by reading man and studying all the various editions of them.”  Lord Chesterton



A MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CYNTHIA BRIAN


cyn feed noel
When I was growing up, summer vacation lasted until the week after Labor Day. Of course, we didn’t get out of school until mid-June, but that seemed reasonable since August is always such a hot month. Today, our kids are back in the classroom in August and for some school districts, the curriculum is completed by the end of May.

Many schools are struggling with getting enough supplies to enrich their students. If you have the means, consider what our Kindness Coordinator, Karen Kitchel, does annually. Donate a few items that teachers can use to your local schools. Everyone wins.

And with school back in session, remember to drive safely and slowly through areas when children are present. Actually drive safely and slowly at all times!

This past week, I spent over 40 hours on tech support for a variety of issues, plus my Linkedin account was hacked. Linkedin doesn’t have chat or phone support. It was infuriating and exhausting trying to find a remedy to a deleted account with blocked emails/passwords when the only way to access any support is by logging in. Twitter to the rescue. I found a Linkedin support person on Twitter who opened a case within 3 days and re-instated my hacked account. This made me ponder the safety of our youth who use their phones for their livelihood. Encourage 2 step verifications, changing passwords, and not sharing personal information. I found the Linkedin hacking to be very disruptive, intrusive, and upsetting. We don’t want our kids to experience weirdos online.

On a very exciting and positive note, my newest book is a children’s picture book, No Barnyard Bullies. The series is titled Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures and it is going to delight little ones (and maybe big ones, too). This series is based on true-life stories that I’ve learned from my adopted animals over the years since growing up on a farm. The book will be available before the end of the year and we will start pre-sales soon with a discount for you plus gifts of extra goodies. Best of all, the proceeds benefit Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3, where we really care about kids. More information below.

Also, come meet BTSYA volunteers and radio reporters in person at the Pear and Wine Festival to be held on Saturday, September 24th. We welcome sponsorships and appreciate donations to continue our vital empowerment work embedded in our mottos, 

“To be a leader, you must be a reader. Read, lead, succeed. Communicate, collaborate, innovate!”

School is back in session. Here’s to a safe and fabulous learning experience for everyone.

Happy School Year!

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org

http://www.BTSYA.org

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504


SCATTER KINDNESS WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES

 
Blackboard-School is Backby Karen Kitchel

As prices for basic school supplies have greatly increased, we can only imagine the challenge faced by families with many children who all need supplies.  This presents a simple and easy opportunity for us to come to the aid of our neighbors everywhere.

Teachers often choose to purchase extra supplies rather than to see a child go without. If asked what is needed, they will quickly provide a short list of things like crayons, pencils, markers, folders, etc. which can all be purchased either in-store or online and delivered to a home or school.

Each year I enjoy bringing an assortment of school supplies to Partnership Academy in Richfield, Minnesota where I volunteer to assist a Kindergarten teacher.  The response always makes me smile.

If you want to help children get off to a great start, consider donating supplies to your local schools. They will be greatly appreciated and give everyone a smile.

 

Karen Kitchel who penned two chapters in the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She serves meals to the homeless and is a volunteer teacher, writer, job coach, and mentor. www.scatteringkindness.com


NEW CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK SERIES COMING!

FRONT COVER-NoBarnyardBulliesWithin the next few months, Be the Star You Are!® is excited to announce the launch of a new children’s picture book series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures, authored by Executive Director, Cynthia Brian, with proceeds benefiting Be the Star You Are!®. Also coming will be NFT’s related to the series and events of empowerment.

The animal kingdom is filled with timely and timeless tales that are relatable to humans. The animal family of Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures experiences complex encounters that challenge their integrity, individuality, and character while amplifying diverse expressions and original viewpoints to co-exist as a group. The barnyard animals address critical issues facing children including bullying, nature, power struggles, adversity, adoption, homelessness, creativity, justice, health, kindness, ethnicity, and being different through a cultural lens of hope and resolution. With visually rich illustrations, each picture book moves a child to appreciate all animals while learning the lessons the natural world teaches humans.

 

Format

Each book is 32 pages peppered with lively conversations between the species. Colorful, animated illustrations of the characters by Jensen Russell bring the prose and poetry dialog to life. 

No Barnyard Bullies ​follows a pampered piglet who lives in an apartment as she is re-homed to a barnyard filled with happy critters. Thinking that she is the Queen, she bullies the other animals until she is stopped by a tiny bunny who defends a three-legged goat from her attacks. Everyone is equal in Stella Bella’s barnyard where bullies are not tolerated and inclusiveness is paramount. 

Price of the book is $14.95. Pre-order NOW to get the discount and first editions as soon as they are published. https://www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store/No-Barnyard-Bullies-COMING-SOON-PRE-ORDERS-ONLY-AT-A-DISCOUNT-p486474870

More information at https://www.cynthiabrian.com/books. Premium and bulk sales available at deeper discounts.

Meet the talented illustrated, Jensen Russell

Jensen is an illustrator based out of Savannah, Georgia. She is currently finishing her last year as a student at Savannah College of Art and Design working towards a BFA in Illustration with a concentration in Publication. She currently works within children’s book illustration and editorial/commercial freelance. She have always had a taste for the strange and unusual and strives to incorporate this into her art in a way that is comforting and touches upon inner-child healing. Her goal in my art is to exaggerate the human experience and encourage others to feel emotions all the way through.

instagram@nowherejen

ensenRussellBiographyPhoto Back Cover No Barnyard Bullies


MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE PEAR AND WINE FESTIVAL

2021 Pear Festival-covid-masks downIt sure feels great to have in-person events occurring again. Join us at our Be the Star You Are! booth at the Pear and Wine Festival on September 24, 2022 from 11-3pm in the Moraga Commons Park. BTSYA volunteers and radio reporters will be offering crafts  for kids, a reading circle, and we’ll plant seeds for literacy. We’ll have several free give-aways as well. The festival features food, pie eating contests, wine, live music, arts and plenty of activities for kids, including inflatables. The event is FREE and the location is beautiful. Enjoy a wonderful day of fun with the family. Sponsorships available. More info: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/events-1/2022-pear-and-wine-festival-a-day-of-free-family-fun

Sincere gratitude to MB Jessee Painting and to the Lamorinda Weeklyfor sponsoring Be the Star You Are!® again. For expert painting with integrity and care, visit www.mbjessee.com and for the latest local news delivered with love, visit www.Lamorindaweekly.com 


HELP CONTINUE THE POSITIVE WORKS! DONATE TODAY!BTSYA-Banner-Logo copy


OUR INTERNATIONAL RADIO BROADCASTS!

Both Radio showsBe empowered, motivated, energized, informed and amused.

Truthful, heartfelt, and engaging topics and guests!

LIVE on Wednesdays from 4-5pm PT, be entertained, informed, amused, and educated on StarStyle-Be the Star You Are!. Then be inspired and motivated on

Sundays from 3-4pm PT, it’s Express Yourself! Teen Radio with our Be the Star You Are! star teen hosts and reporters.
 
VISIT https://www.StarStyleRadio.com for our line-up of topics and guests.

SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP!

We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.
1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

2020 Amazon smile logo

2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

Giving Assistant Icon 234x60

3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

2020 IGIVE logo

5. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store: http://www.starstylestore.net/

T-shirts 

BTSYA 3 book series

6. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4



“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”

                                                       ~ Mark Twain


Learn Every Moment!

TSHIRT_design-2Best of success to students going back to school.

Discover new opportunities, educate yourself.
Learning=Earning!
 
Happy August!
 
Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity
PO Box 376
Moraga, Ca. 94556


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Lead with Empathy, Now and Always

Posted by rstapholz on
0
Empowerment
Lead with Empathy, Now and Always

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MIRACLE MOMENT®

“Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back into the same box.”

~ Italian Proverb


A MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CYNTHIA BRIAN

cynthia- Halloween garden (1)In the past few years, global warming and climate change have enhanced the number of natural disasters. Since the tragedy of 9/11, 2001, Be the Star You Are!® has shipped books and other resources to shelters and organizations in the United States to support survivors offering hope and healing. In 2021, natural disasters were more violent and deadly causing thousands to flee their homes.

Because we care, we share.

Normally volunteers get together to sort, pack, box, load, and ship resources. Because of the pandemic and the necessity for social distancing, I decided to go it alone this year. Books are heavy.

After shipping over a dozen cases to various states, I was working to load another twenty boxes when something snapped in my back and I fell to my knees in acute pain. I was not able to stand or walk. After two days, crawling became my method to get from my bed to the bathroom. It’s been two weeks since the injury and I am finally more upright like a homo sapien.

I’ve always thought that I’m an empathic individual, but being so extremely debilitated provided another level for understanding the feelings of others. Leading with empathy means we need to walk in someone else’s boots, to see their perspective, and attempt to understand. Divisiveness, racism, misinformation, misogyny, religious differences, conspiracy theories, untruths, and political polarization are leading us down a rabbit-hole of separation. We are the United States of America, not the Divided States of America. The Miracle Moment® quote for today illustrates the power of equality. Whether we are prince or pauper, president or farm laborer, when life is over, we all return to dust.

My entreaty to everyone is to care for yourself and for one another. Be kind. Be inclusive. We never know what struggles another person is facing.

Lifting nearly 3/4 of a ton of books in a few hours alone was not the smart move on my part. I will be more careful in the future and give my back a break. The good news is that all the resources have now been delivered and hopefully will provide happy holidays for a few thousand individuals so that they can lead with empathy.

Thanks for your ongoing support!

Wishing you health and a happy haunted Halloween.

TRICK or TREAT!!!

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org

http://www.BTSYA.org

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504


PEAR FESTIVAL GRATITUDE

2021 Pear Festival-covid-masks downA big round of applause to the Be the Star You Are!® volunteers who worked at the Be the Star You Are!® booth at the Pear and Wine Festival. Although we didn’t garner many donations, we helped children craft and decorate masks to protect them during the pandemic, read them stories, and gave each child a brand new copy of the beautiful 10th anniversary book, The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob. Getting together for the first time since 2019 was a bonus! Everyone wore a mask and adhered to protocols. Thank you to all to visited and to our sponsors: The Lamorinda Weekly Newspaper (www.lamorindaweekly.com), Dr. Brian Sheaff Family Dentistry ( https://www.drsheaffdentistry.com) and MBJesse Painting (www.MBJessee.com) and to Brooks Olbrys author of the book (https://www.blueoceanbob.com).

thank you sponsors 2 mask making

Read about Be the Star You Are!®: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1517/Children-create-crafty-masks-during-annual-Pear–and–Wine-Festival.html

2021 Pear Festival-covid


TAKE TIME TO NOTICE

 
AWESOMEby Karen Kitchel

Has anyone ever told you that you are awesome?  If so, how did it make you feel? Leaving little positive messages, either verbal or written, can turn someone’s day around. No need to wait for a major accomplishment.  Things like making a good cup of coffee can also be awesome.  All it takes is time to notice.

And YOU are awesome!

Karen Kitchel who penned two chapters in the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She serves meals to the homeless and is a volunteer teacher, writer, job coach, and mentor. www.scatteringkindness.com


MEET OUR NEWEST EXPRESS YOURSELF TEEN RADIO REPORTER

&
sharanyaphoto-headphonesSharanya Roy is a 7th grader in Gale Ranch Middle School. She loves to swim, play the piano, and make amusing jokes with her friends. Apart from planning her goofy schemes, Sharanya really enjoys writing. She finds that each sentence has a life of its own, and she loves the sound of the keyboard clacking, as well as the scrick of a pencil. In her radio show, Sharanya hopes to change how teens look at writing, as writing doesn’t JUST consist of essays for school, it is a lot more. In Sharanya’s segment, “The Scribble”, she wants to share new methods of writing, and how writing can be a part of every teen’s life. https://www.ExpressTyourselfTeenRadio.com

Listen to her recite an original poem that combines her love of writing with genetics.

https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/133975/biology-and-genetics

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DREAMS DO COME TRUE!

Maggie DiGiovannipictureBy Maggie DiGiovanni

Few go from a ten-year-old writing her first story and basking in her mother’s praise to the realization of her life’s dream of writing for a newspaper. I am one of those few. How did it happen?

Writing every day, listening to real authors when they critiqued my work and learning to self-edit helped enormously. In the middle of this learning curve, I opted to enter a contest put out by Cynthia Brian and Be the Star You Are!® charity with a story aimed at young people. The multi-author book, Be the Star You Are for Teens, gave advice from building skills to keeping a good attitude. The chapters wrote in plain, but gentle language reaching out to the hearts and minds of young people.

My offering on Responsibility began with the dubious sentence, ‘Mama was a drug dealer.’ It drew the reader’s attention. An explanation followed that Mama’s drugs included her kids being drug to church, drug into her arms for hugs, drug to the shed if we misbehaved.

Winning that contest lifted my confidence so that when a friend asked my assistance in writing a blog for seniors, I agreed. The initial title of ‘Frugal Florida Seniors,’ drew few readers.  attention, we changed the title to ‘Sexy, Sassy Seniors.’  Readership increased and they stayed.

From there I moved on to offering stories to magazines and writing letters to the editors of newspapers. Magazines like the stories and my letters to the editor appear regularly.

The last step came when a library volunteer told me the Autauga Elmore Newspaper wanted a reporter for our hometown. The owner hired me. It has been a long trek, but without that contest, it might never have come to fruition. Thank you for the encouragement, Cynthia.

Currently Maggie DiGiovanni is an author, newspaper reporter, and blog manager.  Maggie penned the chapter, The Gift of Responsibility in Be the Star You Are!® for Teens. Previously, she was human resources director, purchasing manager and resort office manager. She is the proud mother of two. sexysassyseniors.com (Blog site)https://elmoreautauganews.com/

Be the Star You Are for TEENS 2


HOLIDAYS ARE COMING-GIVE BOOKS AS GIFTS!

Cynthia Brian books bannerIn honor of our 20th anniversary since being on the first New York Times best seller list, first edition, autographed books are discounted in a special sale with proceeds benefitting Be the Star You Are!® You will also receive extra goodies and FREE music CD with your purchase when you buy from the website. Stock up now! http://starstylestore.net


OPERATION DISASTER RELIEF

The 2021 natural disasters continue to climb. Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornados, and fires are more ferocious and deadly causing thousands to flee their homes. Global warming and climate change are causing extreme weather conditions that have never been seen before. Throughout 2020, Be the Star You Are!® concentrated disaster relief on helping individuals who were out of work survive during the pandemic. We now turn our assistance back to helping survivors of these major natural disasters happening throughout the United States. Be the Star You Are!® will be providing books and other materials to shelters and organizations in need. If you’d like to donate, please do so at our website, https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org. If your organization or shelter is in need of our resources to supply to survivors of a disaster, please email us at info@BetheStarYouAre.org.

kind_hearts_kind_words_kinds_thoughts_image


SHOP and GIVE!

We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.

1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

2020 Amazon smile logo

2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

Giving Assistant Icon 234x60

3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

2020 IGIVE logo

5. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store: http://www.starstylestore.net/

T-shirts

BTSYA 3 book series

6. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4


EDU_TAINMENT WITH BE THE STAR YOU ARE! RADIO

2021-brian-banner.jpg
LIVE on Wednesdays from 4-5pm PT, be entertained, informed, amused, and educated on StarStyle-Be the Star You Are!. Then be inspired and motivated on

Sundays from 3-4pm PT, it’s Express Yourself! Teen Radio with our Be the Star You Are! star teen hosts and reporters.
 
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You’ll meet authors, actors, artists, activists, musicians, poets, scientists, educators, and other creatives. Enjoy our upbeat, authentic, and fun radio parties on the Voice America Network Empowerment Channel or wherever you like to listen. 
Visit https://www.StarStyleRadio.com for our line-up of guests.
on air logo


DIRECT LINKS


 Have a safe and fun hallowed eve! Happy Halloween! Thanks for being part of our STAR family!

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LEAD WITH EMPATHY! CARE ABOUT YOURSELF and OTHERS! 


Contact Information: Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3, PO Box 376, Moraga, Ca. 94556

School is in Session—Maybe??

Posted by rstapholz on
0
Empowerment
School is in Session—Maybe??

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MIRACLE MOMENT®

“Life is the only school where the exam comes before the lesson.” Source Unknown

 


OPERATION DISASTER RELIEF

The 2021 natural disasters continue to climb. Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornados, and fires are more ferocious and deadly causing thousands to flee their homes. Global warming and climate change are causing extreme weather conditions that have never been seen before. Throughout 2020, Be the Star You Are!® concentrated disaster relief on helping individuals who were out of work survive during the pandemic. We now turn our assistance back to helping survivors of these major natural disasters happening throughout the United States. Be the Star You Are!® will be providing books and other materials to shelters and organizations in need. If you’d like to donate, please do so at our website, https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org. If your organization or shelter is in need of our resources to supply to survivors of a disaster, please email us at info@BetheStarYouAre.org. 


SHOPPING?

We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.

1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

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2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

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3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

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5. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store: http://www.starstylestore.net/

T-shirts 

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6. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4




TSHIRT_design-2.jpg 2On 9/9, Be the Star You Are!® literacy, arts and culture non-profit celebrates 22 years of operating as a 501 c3 charity serving women, families, and youth. For 22 years, BTSYA has served as an all volunteer organization with no paid staff. These are accomplishments thus far:

Served 420,920 individuals and families

Donated to 112 organizations

Logged 559,890 volunteer hours and growing

Distributed $2 million plus in resources

Broadcast 2200 unique hours of positive programming through radio broadcasts.

Published 4 signature award-winning books, Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens, Be the Star You Are!® Millennials to Boomers, and Miracle Moments®,

Written and published over 2430 book reviews in collaboration with The Reading Tub and Express Yourself!™ Creative Community.

Interviewed over 2500 authors, experts, and celebrities.

Honored with five-star ratings as a Top Rated Non-Profit by GuideStar and Great Non Profits for the Women’s Empowerment, Arts and Culture, and the Arts Appreciation Campaigns since 2010.

Be the Star You Are!® encourages and supports its volunteers to GROW people.

DONATE FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY!


Let’s get back to school safely and permanently. Our best tools are getting vaccinated and wearing masks. Love and protect our children.

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A MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CYNTHIA BRIAN

cynthia brian-green maskIn my school days, I always anticipated getting back into the classroom in September to meet my new teachers, see friends, make new friends, and learn new subjects. But for students today, Covid-19 has rendered havoc and fear mixed with those strong emotions of wanting life to be back to normal.

Despite hopes that we were emerging from the pandemic, it is clear that it’s not over yet. The Delta variant is ramping up as schools and universities scramble to create a safe environment for administrators, teachers, staff, volunteers, and most importantly, the students.

In our school district, all staff, teachers, and volunteers are required to be vaccinated. Most students ages 12 and over are vaccinated. With few exceptions, everyone on campus will be required to wear masks when indoors. Those with medical conditions who can’t don a a mask, will wear face shields with draping. Anyone exposed to a Covid-19 infected individuals must quarantine. There are numerous other requirements for home health checks, sanitation, hygiene, daily classroom cleaning, testing, ventilation, air quality, and contract tracing. Transparency without violating student privacy will be key to success in this very complex and challenging environment. With the enforced rules and guidelines, in the two weeks that school has been in-person learning, no cases of Covid have transpired.

Sadly, this is not the case around the United States. I’ve spoken with several volunteers in states where politicians who are against wearing masks are fighting with the school boards and administrators that believe masks will protect the children. One person explained that within two days of opening, her child’s school had to quarantine because 35 kids under the age of 10 contracted Covid. Another told me that both of her children are suffering with Covid after just 5 days at school. Not only did the school have to close, but parents who can’t work remotely, have to miss work to care for their children.

The world is in the midst of a major health crisis. Politicians who are fighting against masks and the vaccine are putting their constituents in deathly danger. All of us must strive to get our priorities straight. The virus is our enemy. It is not one another, nor should vaccinations and masking be a political issue.

For those of us 12 years of age and older, we have a source to remain healthy through a simple vaccine. Pfizer has now been officially approved by the FDA with Moderna and Johnson and Johnson to follow soon. I applaud the many private sector employers that are already mandating vaccines for employees and hope that many more will follow.

We need to keep our children safe and the only way we can do that is to vaccinate everyone who is eligible. The Delta variant is many times more contagious and deadly than the original virus and if we continue to allow this virus to replicate, it will continue to mutate. The outcome could be drastically worse than what we are experiencing now.

Our children want and need to go to school. They deserve not only an education but the socialization that a healthy school environment entails. If you love your kids, get vaccinated and encourage those around you to do the same.

Don’t listen to the politicians, social media, or even other people, including me.  Instead, listen to the experts and talk to your personal physician about the course you need to take to keep yourself and your loved ones virus-free.

This virus is a test. Will we pass the exam?

Let’s get our economy back on track. Let’s get the kids safely in school. We each hold the key to success and we are in this together. Protect one another.

Get vaccinated. Wear a mask. It is the right thing to do.

Stay safe, stay strong, be healthy.

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org

http://www.BTSYA.org

Covid-19 Vaccine

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504


MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER 25TH PEAR FESTIVAL

Pear Festival flyerThe Pear and Wine Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 25th from 11 am-4pm with free family fun at Moraga Commons Park in Moraga. The town is keeping tabs on the Delta variant and will cancel if necessary. Be the Star You Are!® is participating with a booth. hosts and reporters of our radio broadcast, Express Yourself! will be in person to greet visitors. Instead of doing our normal face painting, BTSYA volunteers will be providing a table with masks to be decorated. We will also have a Kids Korner with a reading circle. Many thanks to our sponsors The Lamorinda Weekly Newspaper (www.lamorindaweekly.com) and MBJesse Painting (www.MBJessee.com). Also appreciation to author Brooks Olbrys who has donated two cases of books in English and Spanish of his 10 year anniversary special of Blue Ocean Bob. (https://www.blueoceanbob.com) Children who attend will be given a beautiful new book.

The festival will feature food, wine, art, children’s activities, a petting zoo, and fun for everyone. Admission is FREE. More information at https://www.bethestaryouare.org/copy-of-events


MEET OUR PEAR FESTIVAL EVENT COORDINATOR

Drew EbnerHi! I am Drew Ebner, an incoming junior at Acalanes High School. I am a bubbly person with a great work ethic who is always willing to help! Literature has been a passion of mine for some time now and I am so excited to help out with Be the Star You Are! Volunteers will work in two shifts, from 9:00am-Noon and Noon-3:00pm. It’s going to be a great day of getting to meet one another.

If you want to sponsor or volunteer, email info@BetheStarYouAre.org

Thank you, Drew Ebner


EDU_TAINMENT WITH BE THE STAR YOU ARE! RADIO

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LIVE on Wednesdays from 4-5pm PT, be entertained, informed, amused, and educated on StarStyle-Be the Star You Are!. Then be inspired and motivated on

Sundays from 3-4pm PT, it’s Express Yourself! Teen Radio with our Be the Star You Are! star teen hosts and reporters.
 
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You’ll meet authors, actors, artists, activists, musicians, poets, scientists, educators, and other creatives. Enjoy our upbeat, authentic, and fun radio parties on the Voice America Network Empowerment Channel or wherever you like to listen. 
Visit https://www.StarStyleRadio.com for our line-up of guests.
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