Everywhere in my house, books. I need help.

Vision Forum Speaking Engagement: From At Risk to Taking Risks

Thursday, October 16, 2008
November 6th -- From At-Risk to Taking Risks
The November Forum:

On Education: From At-Risk Kids to Young Amarillo Entrepreneurs

...with Mark D. Williams | Thurs Nov 6 | 6:30-8:30 PM | 9th Fl Conf Rm | Chase Tower

Best Selling Author; Teacher at North Heights Alternative School, AISD

Mark is one of best teachers I've heard of or met. He's also an highly successful author who devotes most of his time to the next generation, as an AISD teacher at North Heights Alternative School - he doesn't need the money, he just wants to change the world. The best part is that he's doing it: one student, one class, one project, one day at a time.

Mark asks great questions and offers awesome insights. He's fun to listen to, and he's planning to bring some young friends who have started their own businesses - assuming they can take off an evening from studying or working!

Please register HERE If you've registered for a past event skip filling in the info and just reply to this email with RSVP in the subject line so we'll know how much food to provide. Leals will be catering.

Also, we're making the $75 donation for membership optional for the time being, but in order to provide these programs we ask that you or your company please sponsor these events with this minimum recommended donation. You can donate HERE for your tax-deductible investment.

Why this topic?

As many of you may not know, education and workforce quality in our area, on the whole, have been trending down, while unwanted pregnancies, drug use and trafficking, gang activity, and delinquency have been trending up. YET, there are some very bright spots in some of Amarillo's growing social darkness. These "bright spots" include, but are not limited to, young student entrepreneurs like Chris "tuna" Saucedo who is the manager for a new coffee shop at N. Hughes and Amarillo Blvd called Paparazzi or Roy Gonzalez, an 18 year old who runs El Manantial - awesome food there by the way.

At this forum we will also roll out the beginnings of a new project called the SJ107 Search which is being structured as a collaboration between WTAMU, Expio Foundation, and some other pending partnerships.

Be there for a great night and prepare to be challenged!


Posted by Vision Forum at 7:48 PM
3 comments:

HPDS said...

Mark has a passion for his kids. And that makes him a breath of fresh air in this sometime cynical world we live in. He makes a difference in these kid’s lives on a daily basis and is unapologetic about his methods and results. He says it like it is and too bad if you don’t like it.

Mark Stapleton
President
igh Plains Data Solutions, LLC
November 7, 2008 8:13 AM
Keith said...

North Heights School is a special place with great teacher-leadership from Mark Williams and Principal Mark Leach. That Mr. Williams is a gifted speaker is not the end of it. Students from North Heights successfully operating "Paparazzis Coffee" to attendees at the forum were professional and engaging. North Heights is positively radical and it achieves amazing results. Look for them. Hire and mentor its students. Lastly, buy the book "Voices from the Heights," and other books by Mark Williams.

Keith Villyard
Sales Director
Lone Star Ballet,
Owner
Secret Garden,
Student
Amarillo College
November 7, 2008 3:09 PM
Anonymous said...

Thanks Andy for again organizing a good night. The forums are a great opportunity to have a discussion with people making an impact, about issues having an impact on our community. Becoming aware of people like Mark Williams reinforces what a great community we have and how easy it is to get involved.

Bryce Jordan
Banking Officer
Commercial Loans
Amarillo National Bank
(806) 378-8019
November 17, 2008 12:40 PM

Survived the holidays of which I am not and have never been a fan. Watching Band of Brothers (the marathon that seems to be on every month, the same one I watch every time and never get tired of watching), drinking a small glass of zinfandel, snow on the ground outside. Amy and I are leaving for Durango in the morning to stay a week. We are finishing up a couple of books for Wayfinder.

I am reading The Montana Chronicles about Sherlock Holmes' visit to the West in the late 19th Century. Great fiction, nice to pass time during the holidays.

Always fun to see a table full of your books. Or even a table with a corner of your books.

Paparazzi has been in the news lately too. NHAS has a student-run coffeeshop that creates scholarship money for the students. The Business section of the Globe News did a huge article about the students and their biz.

Brenda Bernet of the Amarillo Globe News interviewing Kristian Holland, Janet Nabors and Octavia Chambers for a nice article she wrote about them and the book, Voices from the Heights. The article appeared in the Today section of the Globe News, Dec 6.