Feature Story 1
Dedication.
One of the many terms to describe junior Tameka Johnson and her friends. While watching a news segment about the local children's hospital, JudsonTameka was in tears.
" Colors make me happy, so I was struck by the whiteness in the hospital rooms. Everything was white and stark," Tameka said., " I thought if I could bring a little bit of color into those rooms, I might be able to bring a little happiness too."
Tameka, along with her friends, began the Pillowcase Project. Tameka contacted local businesses to donate money for their project., Wwith the money,Tameka and her mother renovated the dining room into a sewing room. They now make colorful pillowcases for children at the hospital.
" I had no idea how much a pillowcase could mean to a child," said Doug Lent, hospital administrator. " I see children all over the hospital clutching their special pillow."
Tameka and her friends made their first set of 30 pillowcases. They delivered them Feburary.
" When we delivered our first set of pillowcases, I can't describe the joy I saw on those childrens' faces." Tameka said. " All of the materials we chose were fun patterns and very colorful."
This project has received positive feedback from not only the hospital administrators, but also the parents of the sick children.
" When Tameka knocked on our door and asked if she could give Sara a pillowcase, I had no idea what kind of impact it would have. Tameka was right." Said Valeria Gallegos, mother of Sara (an ill child that goes to Tameka's local hospital). " Color did make a difference for Sara."
For now, the group meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m and on Sunday's from 2 to 4 p.m on Sundays.
" Before joining the group, I spent a lot of my time watching television and playing iPadIpad games." Said junior Sonia Bustamante." Now, I spend that time making a difference in a child's life. It's way more rewarding."
Tameka, along with her friends, wish to expand the Pillowcase Project to greater heights.
" I want this group to make more than 1,000 pillowcases for hospitalized children before I go off to college," Tameka said. " With a few more sewing machines and a few more volunteers, we will do it."
One of the many terms to describe junior Tameka Johnson and her friends. While watching a news segment about the local children's hospital, JudsonTameka was in tears.
" Colors make me happy, so I was struck by the whiteness in the hospital rooms. Everything was white and stark," Tameka said., " I thought if I could bring a little bit of color into those rooms, I might be able to bring a little happiness too."
Tameka, along with her friends, began the Pillowcase Project. Tameka contacted local businesses to donate money for their project., Wwith the money,Tameka and her mother renovated the dining room into a sewing room. They now make colorful pillowcases for children at the hospital.
" I had no idea how much a pillowcase could mean to a child," said Doug Lent, hospital administrator. " I see children all over the hospital clutching their special pillow."
Tameka and her friends made their first set of 30 pillowcases. They delivered them Feburary.
" When we delivered our first set of pillowcases, I can't describe the joy I saw on those childrens' faces." Tameka said. " All of the materials we chose were fun patterns and very colorful."
This project has received positive feedback from not only the hospital administrators, but also the parents of the sick children.
" When Tameka knocked on our door and asked if she could give Sara a pillowcase, I had no idea what kind of impact it would have. Tameka was right." Said Valeria Gallegos, mother of Sara (an ill child that goes to Tameka's local hospital). " Color did make a difference for Sara."
For now, the group meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m and on Sunday's from 2 to 4 p.m on Sundays.
" Before joining the group, I spent a lot of my time watching television and playing iPadIpad games." Said junior Sonia Bustamante." Now, I spend that time making a difference in a child's life. It's way more rewarding."
Tameka, along with her friends, wish to expand the Pillowcase Project to greater heights.
" I want this group to make more than 1,000 pillowcases for hospitalized children before I go off to college," Tameka said. " With a few more sewing machines and a few more volunteers, we will do it."
The woman with honor
The lady next door isn't just an ordinary neighbor. She is a teacher. A traveler. A mother of two. Although she is always busy, she finds time to spend time with her children: Jacqueline and Joshua. The stress doesn't bring her down, it builds her up.
" It was very beneficial for me to learn English so I could teach Japanese. " said Satoko, " My co-worker asked me if I could teach her Japanese, I liked it a lot so after that I started tutoring here and there just for fun and extra income."
Satoko Silva (Maiden: Tokura) was born and raised in Japan, learning strict codes of honor and built the foundation of who she is today. In her high school years, her English score was decent enough to give her the opportunity to become a foreign exchange student. This allowed her to become more connected with American pop culture.
" I was excited, I didn't feel really sad that I was leaving Japan. Until I realized I left my cousins' goodbye letters on the plane!" said Satoko
Despite her hard-work ethic, she still has time to spend quality time with her children. During her children's birthday parties she likes to create unique dishes that blends cultures together. For example, she clashed pizza and gyoza together to create pizza dumplings. Her husband, Peter, says that he loves it when Satoko create unique meals by blending cultures together.
" I saw it while Joshua was watching the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I said I could make that and it sort of went on from there." Said Satoko, after being asked what encouraged her to start making the dishes.
Not only does she blend cultures for culinary reasons, she also is very traditional by celebrating specific holidays from her homeland. Some include, but are not limited to: Boys Day and Girls day. Each holiday is unique for the opposite genders. Boys Day uses samurai-like content while Girls Day includes the passing of a doll made from way back when. Her children enjoy these holidays and so does she, saying that it " Feels like home."
" I usually go to school, but it's always fun taking pictures in front of the special Girl's Day shrine with my little brother!" Said Jacqueline.
Although she dislikes traveling, she loves to go back to Japan with her family. They usually go there for family weddings, which helps strengthen the bond between her family and her homeland.
" Although it's always a hassle to pack and go through the airport. It's always worth it once you arrive at your destination."
" It was very beneficial for me to learn English so I could teach Japanese. " said Satoko, " My co-worker asked me if I could teach her Japanese, I liked it a lot so after that I started tutoring here and there just for fun and extra income."
Satoko Silva (Maiden: Tokura) was born and raised in Japan, learning strict codes of honor and built the foundation of who she is today. In her high school years, her English score was decent enough to give her the opportunity to become a foreign exchange student. This allowed her to become more connected with American pop culture.
" I was excited, I didn't feel really sad that I was leaving Japan. Until I realized I left my cousins' goodbye letters on the plane!" said Satoko
Despite her hard-work ethic, she still has time to spend quality time with her children. During her children's birthday parties she likes to create unique dishes that blends cultures together. For example, she clashed pizza and gyoza together to create pizza dumplings. Her husband, Peter, says that he loves it when Satoko create unique meals by blending cultures together.
" I saw it while Joshua was watching the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I said I could make that and it sort of went on from there." Said Satoko, after being asked what encouraged her to start making the dishes.
Not only does she blend cultures for culinary reasons, she also is very traditional by celebrating specific holidays from her homeland. Some include, but are not limited to: Boys Day and Girls day. Each holiday is unique for the opposite genders. Boys Day uses samurai-like content while Girls Day includes the passing of a doll made from way back when. Her children enjoy these holidays and so does she, saying that it " Feels like home."
" I usually go to school, but it's always fun taking pictures in front of the special Girl's Day shrine with my little brother!" Said Jacqueline.
Although she dislikes traveling, she loves to go back to Japan with her family. They usually go there for family weddings, which helps strengthen the bond between her family and her homeland.
" Although it's always a hassle to pack and go through the airport. It's always worth it once you arrive at your destination."