Discus Awards Blog

Discus Awards Blog Show us how you're different, and we'll do the same. Other high school awards see one side of you, but the Discus Awards looks at the whole. Discus college scholarships will help fuel your passions. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/ en Copyright © 2009-2012 Discus Awards · All Rights Reserved info@discusawards.com Discus Awards Blog - Meet the Winner - Christopher Yao My passion for service and helping others began when I was diagnosed with an under-jaw bite when I was starting middle school. Doctors projected that I would have major problems speaking and eating if it was not corrected by a costly surgery. Thankfully, I eventually had my under-jaw bite fixed. But for all this time, I thought about all the kids who had the same difficulties as I did and those who could not even afford treatment. Soon I decided to join in the <a target="_blank" href="http://smiletrain.org/">Smile Train</a>‘s mission to help raise funds for <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kidschangeamerica.org/cleft-lip-and-palate.html">life-changing cleft-lip surgery</a> for underprivileged children around the world. Funding 60 cleft surgeries and treatments for children around the world, we were able to provide each surgery for less than $250! After countless fundraisers and events, I had seen the power of youth to change the world. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kidschangeamerica.org">Kids Change the World</a> was founded in 2007 to improve the lives of children by mobilizing the caring power of youth to advance the common good. Since then, we have offered hundreds of youth-led ideas, groups, and charitable initiatives with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kidschangeamerica.org/action-tools.html">action tools</a>: website domains, mentors, and grassroots services. You, too, can even use our free action tools for your own community initiatives by getting started <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kidschangeamerica.org/grassroots-tools.html">here</a>. <a href='http://www.discusawards.com/blog/meet-the-winner-christopher-yao/110'>...continue reading</a><hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/meet-the-winner-christopher-yao/110">Discus Awards Blog - Meet the Winner - Christopher Yao</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/meet-the-winner-christopher-yao/110 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST http://www.discusawards.com/blog/meet-the-winner-christopher-yao/110 Discus Awards Blog - Meet the Winner - Shruthi Prabhu The basis of my idea for a charity program started when one day, my mom was talking to me and said that my grandmother had glaucoma, an incurable disease that gradually closes in on the vision and slowly drives the victim to a devastating state of blindness. That very summer, I got glasses, due to slight power in both of my eyes. I had always had 20/20 vision, but suddenly, my eyesight deteriorated, and I became the first one in my family (at the age of 14) to get glasses. Afterwards, I thought about my aunt on my dad's side. When she was about seven or eight years old, she lost one of her eyes to an infection. My grandparents had neither the money nor the resources to go to an optometrist to save their daughter's eye. She had to have an operation, and her entire eye was taken out. Now, she has power in her remaining eye. Then it came to me. What about all those other adults and children in poverty-stricken areas of the world that do not have the financial support to get a needed eye operation? I suddenly felt the strong need to do something about it. The worst thing I could do was nothing. In June of 2011, I got started. First, I put up a website to inform the public about the program which I named <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kindact.webs.com">“Small Acts of Kindness"</a>. Next, I found my organization, which was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.omtrust.org">Sankara Nethralaya</a>, a non-profit organization situated in the USA. They collect money from any patrons and send it on over to Chennai, India, to supply poverty-stricken people with free eye operations. Then, I put together a group of 72 children, hence "Small" Acts of Kindness, to show India that people around the world have not forgotten their culture and that WE CARE. <a href='http://www.discusawards.com/blog/meet-the-winner-shruthi-prabhu/107'>...continue reading</a><hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/meet-the-winner-shruthi-prabhu/107">Discus Awards Blog - Meet the Winner - Shruthi Prabhu</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/meet-the-winner-shruthi-prabhu/107 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST http://www.discusawards.com/blog/meet-the-winner-shruthi-prabhu/107 Discus Awards Blog - Winner Videos of the Day - Sherman Leung Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Bach, Gershwin, Leung.  These are the titans of the classical piano, but not all are created equal.  <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/winner.php?id=57320">Sherman Leung</a> is the only name on that list that has been recognized by the Discus Awards for all-around excellence, in his case, for achievements in technology, arts, and faith. In today's <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/category/discus-award-winner-video-of-the-day/18">Winner Videos of the Day</a>, Sherman pays homage to two of his classical peers: Beethoven and Chopin.  The first video, Sherman's performance of Beethoven's Sonata in C#, begins 24 seconds in.  Warning: Your face may be melted by Mr. Leung's skills.  Then, don't miss Sherman's encore of Chopin's Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat Minor.  Enjoy! <iframe width="400" height="250" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XKFkYLlztTc"></iframe> <a href='http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-sherman-leung/109'>...continue reading</a><hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-sherman-leung/109">Discus Awards Blog - Winner Videos of the Day - Sherman Leung</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-sherman-leung/109 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-sherman-leung/109 Discus Awards Blog - Winner Picture of the Day - Stephany Kim Ralph Macchio, move over, there's a new Karate Kid in town.  Her name is <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/winner.php?id=57559">Stephany Kim</a>, she's a Discus Award winner for her achievements in academics, work, and athletics, and she's a one-girl wrecking machine.  In the words of 1970s funk singer Carl Douglas, Stephany's kicks are "fast as lightning".  Lucky for us, someone who had a camera with a fast shutter was able to snap a picture of Stephany in action.  This picture of Stephany's high-flying athleticism was taken at the 6th Worlds Taekwondo Championships in Vladivostok, Russia, where she placed 8th among 40 countries. <img width="400" height="266" align="middle" src="/pics/userpics/Image/Blog/Stephany_Kim-Karate.jpg" alt="" /><hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-picture-of-the-day-stephany-kim/108">Discus Awards Blog - Winner Picture of the Day - Stephany Kim</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-picture-of-the-day-stephany-kim/108 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-picture-of-the-day-stephany-kim/108 Discus Awards Blog - Meet the Winner - Sophie Hollingsworth Editor's Note: Sophie Hollingsworth is a 2011-2012 Discus Award winner from Florida who has founded a non-profit organization, AquaAid International, Inc., that aims to provide safe drinking water for communities in the developing world.  Sophie was kind enough to share her experience through this guest blog post.  For more information on AquaAid International and how you can get involved, please visit the <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://aquaaid-international.blogspot.com">AquaAid Blog</a> or e-mail them at aquaaid.international@gmail.com. <img width="150" height="100" align="right" src="/pics/userpics/Image/Blog/Sophie_Hollingsworth-On_Boat.jpg" alt="" />It started with an invitation, a debutante invitation to be specific. I was honored to be considered by an assemblage of notable women; however I was drawn to an alternative more in keeping with my spirits: to be a debutante or to donate the funds required for debutante participation to an organization serving humanity. For me the decision was clear. In the course of researching organizations to donate to, the idea of starting my own nonprofit was born. I decided to provide safe drinking water for communities in developing nations without access to potable water; I established AquaAid International, Inc. to do just that. I had always known about the global water crisis; however, not until I spent time in Bahía Honda, Panamá did I truly understand the importance of the liquid so many of us take for granted. <a href='http://www.discusawards.com/blog/meet-the-winner-sophie-hollingsworth/106'>...continue reading</a><hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/meet-the-winner-sophie-hollingsworth/106">Discus Awards Blog - Meet the Winner - Sophie Hollingsworth</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/meet-the-winner-sophie-hollingsworth/106 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST http://www.discusawards.com/blog/meet-the-winner-sophie-hollingsworth/106 Discus Awards Blog - Winner Picture of the Day - Callie Lack <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/winner.php?id=51756">Callie Lack</a>, a high school senior and Discus Award winner from Missouri for her accomplishments in arts, athletics, and other achievements, has spent the majority of her life creating.  Whether it was waking up on Saturday morning as a kid to draw or helping set up the annual art show at her school with her peers in the Art Honor Society, Callie has always been capitalizing on the sharp, right side of her brain.  We see that talent come to life in this skech(ers) she did of her favorite Converse sneaker.  Moving past my embarassingly poor play on words, here is Callie masterpiece. <img width="400" height="246" align="middle" alt="" src="/pics/userpics/Image/Blog/Callie_Lack-Converse-Drawing.jpg" /><hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-picture-of-the-day-callie-lack/105">Discus Awards Blog - Winner Picture of the Day - Callie Lack</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-picture-of-the-day-callie-lack/105 Sat, 26 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-picture-of-the-day-callie-lack/105 Discus Awards Blog - Winner Videos of the Day - Eli Greenhoe <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/winner.php?id=55741">Eli Greenhoe</a>, a Discus Award winner for his excellence in arts, community service, and academics, is the front man of the band Men Who Shave, a talented musical trio comprised of a guitarist (Eli), violinist, and bassist.  We have a special treat for our readers today, a special behind-the-scenes look into the music of Men Who Shave.  Performing two of their songs for a captivated audience at The World Fellowship Center, "Snowbound" and "Heart In A Cage", we give you the musical stylings of Eli and his bandmates. "Snowbound" <iframe width="400" height="250" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oCzaCDPdm-8" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <a href='http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-eli-greenhoe/104'>...continue reading</a><hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-eli-greenhoe/104">Discus Awards Blog - Winner Videos of the Day - Eli Greenhoe</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-eli-greenhoe/104 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-eli-greenhoe/104 Discus Awards Blog - Pictures of the Day - Brook White The <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/category/discus-award-winner-picture-of-the-day/19">Discus Award Winner Pictures of the Day</a> come from Ohio senior <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/winner.php?id=54788">Brook White</a> today.  Brook is a hard worker, demonstrated through her impressive <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/how_it_works.php?id=7">academic</a> record and her extensive <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/how_it_works.php?id=2">work</a> experience, and she has translated those traits to her passion for photography.  She plans to pursue photography as a major when she goes off to college, and we think she's well on her way to a successful career. As the weather starts to cool down, we have Brook and her lens to thank for a reminder of the spring and summer.  "The Beach" comes first, and then "The Flower" after the jump. The Beach <img width="400" height="300" alt="" src="/pics/userpics/Image/Blog/Brook%20White%20-%20Beach.jpg" /> <a href='http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-pictures-of-the-day-brook-white/102'>...continue reading</a><hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-pictures-of-the-day-brook-white/102">Discus Awards Blog - Pictures of the Day - Brook White</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-pictures-of-the-day-brook-white/102 Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EDT http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-pictures-of-the-day-brook-white/102 Discus Awards Blog - Winner Video of the Day - Brandon Lee Add this to the long list of things I can't do: run accross a mat, jump off a wall, and kick through a wooden board.  This is one of the many reasons why California high school senior <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/winner.php?id=54527">Brandon Lee</a> is a Discus Award winner, and I am not.  Although we cannot trace Brandon's bloodline to Bruce, today's <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/category/discus-award-winner-video-of-the-day/18">Video of the Day</a> is an example of one thing these Lees have in common.   <iframe width="400" height="250" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H0tNIwpC3ZE"></iframe><hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-brandon-lee/103">Discus Awards Blog - Winner Video of the Day - Brandon Lee</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-brandon-lee/103 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EDT http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-brandon-lee/103 Discus Awards Blog - Picture of the Day - Faviola Lopez Lights...camera...INACTION!  In the hectic world we all live in, it's a wonderful thing to be able to just sit outside and enjoy nature.  Discus Award winner Faviola Lopez, a skilled artist, has captured the calming feeling one gets when relaxing amidst beautiful scenery and converted it into a visual display that's equally soothing.  Turn the fan on low, find an audio clip of a waterfall, clear your mind of all your worries, and let this picture take you outside from the comfort of your couch. <img width="400" height="300" align="middle" src="/pics/userpics/Image/Blog/Faviola_Lopez-TreeSun.jpg" alt="" /><hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-picture-of-the-day-faviola-lopez/101">Discus Awards Blog - Picture of the Day - Faviola Lopez</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-picture-of-the-day-faviola-lopez/101 Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EDT http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-picture-of-the-day-faviola-lopez/101 Discus Awards Blog - Winner Video of the Day - Stephi Verhage The 90s were arguably one of the best decades in recent history, especially when it comes to music.  Coolio was living in his Gangsta's Paradise, Aqua was lost in their Barbie world, and Alanis Morissette just thought all that was so Ironic.  But let us not forget the contribution of one of those bands that stood the test of time and pushed through the threat of Y2K, and continues to make sweet, sweet music today. Many of you may know them as the band that sang "Hey Soul Sister", but those of us who think back and appreciate this band's roots like Discus Award winner <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/winner.php?id=53044">Stephi Verhage</a>, remember Train's earlier hits like "Meet Virginia" and "Drops of Jupiter". Stephi has taken it upon herself to relight the fire that Train sparked in 2001, when they released the latter of their first two hits.  Here, performing with a drummer wearing fly shades, is Stephi serenading us with her rendition of "Drops of Jupiter". <iframe width="400" height="250" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-yxbCXmyf9U"></iframe><hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-stephi-verhage/100">Discus Awards Blog - Winner Video of the Day - Stephi Verhage</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-stephi-verhage/100 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EDT http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-stephi-verhage/100 Discus Awards Blog - Winner Video of the Day - Music Monday 3 The show goes on at the Discus Awards Blog, and thanks to the tremendous talent of our Discus Award winners, we have another fine set list for your viewing and listening pleasure.  We begin with <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/winner.php?id=19074">Christine Hillmann</a>, a country music starlet ready to break out.  Check out the music video for her single "Boy Behind the Radio," a story about a young country girl finding love through the airwaves.   <iframe width="400" height="250" frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jgfYDQXJD5o" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <a href='http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-music-monday-3/99'>...continue reading</a><hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-music-monday-3/99">Discus Awards Blog - Winner Video of the Day - Music Monday 3</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-music-monday-3/99 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EDT http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-music-monday-3/99 Discus Awards Blog - Meet the Winner - The Brain of Kaeleigh Thorp Have you ever taken a test to show which side of your brain is more dominant? If not, here’s a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.discusawards.com/the-brain-of-kaeleigh-thorp/left-brain-right-brain-characteristics">quick and crude description</a> of each. Can you clearly lean towards one or the other? Most people can. But what do you do when – like me – you are split between the two? It can be challenging and difficult to deal with what sometimes feel like “competing” characteristics…over time, however, you learn which characteristics are best for particular situations and learn to adapt accordingly. For instance, in most tests that I take, I always seem to score right down the middle – dominated by neither half, but sharing traits of both. The left brain, for instance, is a great help to me in math and science and allows me to focus on the task at hand. My right brain side is what allows me to be creative and spontaneous – to flourish at musical theater and drama. When I was deciding what major to pursue in college, I really struggled. I have so many different interests it was hard to narrow it down to something I could see myself doing as a career for the rest of my adult life. I recalled which classes I enjoyed the most, and at the top of my list was Marine Biology. It was unlike any other class I’d had before; because my school is located on an island, we actually got to put on hip waders and go out into the water to conduct experiments. I loved learning about all different kinds of marine life and the ecosystem in general. Perhaps this was my calling? <a href='http://www.discusawards.com/blog/the-brain-of-kaeleigh-thorp/98'>...continue reading</a><hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/the-brain-of-kaeleigh-thorp/98">Discus Awards Blog - Meet the Winner - The Brain of Kaeleigh Thorp</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/the-brain-of-kaeleigh-thorp/98 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EDT http://www.discusawards.com/blog/the-brain-of-kaeleigh-thorp/98 Discus Awards Blog - Winner of the Day - Abigail Cline  <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/winner.php?id=48497">Abigail Cline</a> is a junior in high school from Florida who has already accomplished some amazing things in the attributes of arts, community service, and green.  One of her most impressive projects involves her work in the arts.  About 3 years ago, Abigail started learning American Sign Language (ASL) through her Drama program.  During her junior year, Abigail was charged with the task of leading her Drama program's performance of Hairspray; the catch was that the entire performance was to be both signed and voiced by the entire cast so the hearing-impaired members of the audience could also enjoy the performance.  As Abigail describes her experience, "I translated the lyrics and script, taught it to the 60-person cast, and we all performed it for thousands of people, many of which were Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing." In addition to her great theater project, Abigail has done research and participated in programs focused on environmental conservation and also been recognized for her acting performances.  Read more about Abigail's impressive work in her <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/winner.php?id=48497">winner's profile</a>.<hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-of-the-day-abigail-cline/97">Discus Awards Blog - Winner of the Day - Abigail Cline</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-of-the-day-abigail-cline/97 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:00:00 EDT http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-of-the-day-abigail-cline/97 Discus Awards Blog - Winner Video of the Day - Jacob Mingus <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/winner.php?id=48392"> Jacob Mingus</a> is a Discus Award winner, and a mighty impressive one at that.  One of his amazing talents is his art, which ranges from his terrific trumpet talent to his movie-making mastery.  Today's <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/category/discus-award-winner-video-of-the-day/18">Winner Video of the Day</a> exhibits the latter in the form of an action-packed explosion of special effects.  Lights, camera...ACTION! <iframe width="400" height="250" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Oh_nvdfMx7M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><hr/>Source: <a href="http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-jacob-mingus/94">Discus Awards Blog - Winner Video of the Day - Jacob Mingus</a> at <a href="http://www.discusawards.com">Discus Awards</a>. http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-jacob-mingus/94 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EDT http://www.discusawards.com/blog/winner-video-of-the-day-jacob-mingus/94