“CELEBRATE what’s RIGHT with the world” began as an initiative of School District 6 and the District Health Advisory Committee. It has now grown to include families, the business community, the community at large and other government departments. This initiative will demonstrate how we can improve all areas of our lives when we are INTENTIONAL about celebrating what is right with the world.
The role of the District Health Advisory Committee (DHAC) in School District 6 is to address all four aspects of health - physical, mental, social and spiritual. In 2001, a survey was done by Healthy Learners Nurses in School Districts 4 and 6 which indicated mental and social health were the top priorities of health issues. Despite these findings, the District Health Advisory Committee struggled with a tangible and measurable way to impact these two aspects of health.
In 2002, our students reported in the Developmental Assets: A Profile of Your Youth Survey that their average number of assets were 17 to 18, far less than the 40 assets which would help them make wise decisions, choose positive paths, and grow up competent, caring and responsible. The introduction of the Year of Healthy Living became the focused activity throughout the next few years. In as much as an attempt was made to include all four aspects of health, in reviewing the activities and strategies of The Year of Healthy Living, it was the physical which was predominant.
Recently, a DVD entitled “CELEBRATE what’s RIGHT with the world” developed by Dewitt Jonesof the National Geographic was shown to key people in School District 6, including the DHAC. It became apparent that the message in this documentary could be the catalyst to enhance the emotional and social health of our students, and for that matter our entire community. “CELEBRATE what’s RIGHT with the world”, would be the vehicle that could help us to be INTENTIONAL about this aspect of health. The messages are consistent, everyone can contribute and as assets are nurtured in our students and community members their commitments and successes are celebrated. Realizing that impact is what happens when we are intentional, we look forward to the positive impact on the health of our students and community as this initiative unfolds.
Champions in every District 6 & 8 school and throughout the community are being identified to work to promote this effort, to help identify and showcase all the wonderful things happening in our schools and communities. Monthly themes which demonstrate celebration have been developed to help us focus on these key concepts from the DVD which demonstrate celebration.
We believe “CELEBRATE” will be an initiative that will support and grow the work of families, the business community, and the community at large.
BELIEVE IT! SEE IT! CELEBRATE IT!
About Dewitt Jones
Dewitt Jones is one of America’s top professional photographers. In his twenty-year career with National Geographic, Dewitt lived the vision of "celebrating what’s right with the world."
He found that the creative tools he employed as a photographer had an even deeper application when applied directly to his personal and professional life.
Our Celebrate what's RIGHT with the world program has been developed fromDewitt Jones' 22 minute video and support materials. We've presented this video to hundreds of groups in the Saint John region, including service groups, teachers, employers, boards of trade, associations, committees, businesses, etc. After experiencing Dewitt's philosophy first hand, many are inspired to bring the Celebrate program into their businesses, classrooms, family and community!
An Interview with the Creator of the Celebrate What's RIGHT with the World Logo, Kevin Goggan
Kim: So, Kevin, tell me the story about the evolution of the Celebrate logo created for District 6 in 2006. I remember reading that Tracy Friars explained the inspiration behind the design of the logo as the torch lighting the individual, who in turn lights the world.
Kevin: It's not a complicated story on the logo. I was super busy, I was working late on a Sunday afternoon. Finally I watched the video and when finished it made
me think back to a quote from John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech. Accurately it is "The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it--and the glow from that fire can truly light the world." The quote as I remembered it was simpler "The energy we bring to our endeavors will light a torch and the light from that torch will surely light the world" Either way it inspired the logo. One try, everybody liked it.
Kim: I find it fascinating how the logo was developed, thanks for sharing that Kevin. What's your background?
Kevin: Born in Saint John , Lived 18 years in Ontario , moved back to Saint John and am married to Cindy. I'm a Graphic Designer for the Hospital Corporation and privately as well (Kevin Goggan Art & Design). I'm locally active as founding and current Marketing Manager/steering committee for Saint John Dragonboat, and newly appointed advocacy chair for Dr. David Stephen foundation. Lot 's of odds and ends over the years.
Probably I'm proudest of writing the history book and wall of the Saint John Regional Hospital Auxiliary and personally advocating for the recent changes to the adoption laws in New Brunswick .
Kim: Thanks for sharing with us Kevin, and thank you for the inspiring Celebrate What's RIGHT with the World logo!
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