As you know, I have been spending time with children at schools, hospitals and shelters to tell them my story and to hopefully inspire them to begin following their dreams !
The first time I ever visited with children was when I was eight years old . I wanted to give some girls at a homeless shelter new “back to school” dresses “because every little girl deserves a dress.” mostly when you go back to school the first day. I knew it was important “to give back” and this was something I could do to help people not as lucky as me!
That first visit with girls at Los Angeles Family Housing was the moment I realized that “giving back” was natural to me. It touched my heart in a way that is difficult to describe: It was just something that I wanted to do more of… I have done years of “giving back” and never imagined I would receive a National award for doing what just feel right to me !
Cecilia visiting a school in Los Angeles to inpire children to "follow their dreams"Cecilia at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles giving dresses to cancer patients
Cecilia at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles giving dresses to cancer patients
Here is the announcement:
“Follow Your Dreams”
Cecilia Cassini, 7th grader student, was recently selected as California’s top Middle Level youth volunteer in the 2012 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. This award is not only one of the most prestigious service awards in the country, but it also represents the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. More than 5,000 students applied, and an independent judging panel selected the State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria including personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact, and personal growth. Although the winners have each volunteered hundreds of hours, the number of hours is not one of the criteria.
Cecilia has spoken to hundreds of children at schools, hospitals, and shelters to encourage them to find their passions and follow their dreams. She speaks to the children about her own passion, designing and sewing. Cecilia donates dresses she creates to homeless shelters and sells others to raise money for a local children’s hospital.
Cecilia began decorating dresses when she was just three-years-old and, when she received a sewing machine on her sixth birthday, taught herself to sew. At age eight, she decided to sew dresses for little girls at a homeless center because, she said, “every little girl deserves a dress.” Two years later, the owner of “Tough Cookies,” a Sherman Oaks clothing boutique agreed to host a trunk sale featuring Cecilia’s creations. Fifty dresses were sold, and the proceeds were donated to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. The success of this sale “confirmed to me that I did not have to wait to become an adult to follow my dreams” and sparked a desire to communicate this message to other young people, Cecilia said. In what she calls her “Follow Your Dreams” campaign, Cecilia has made presentations to more than 200 students, demonstrating sewing techniques and encouraging students to find and pursue their passions. She also delivers a sewing machine to each school she visits, donated by the Singer Sewing Company.
At an assembly at Sierra Canyon School, Cecilia will be presented with an engraved medallion by a representative from Prudential. She is also going to represent California Middle School students during an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. in May for a week of special national recognition events. At that time, she will receive a $1,000 award and be considered for the five national awards for Middle School students (including $5,000 for each student to use in his/her volunteer work.) Five national awards will also be given to High School students.
In one of her application essays, Cecilia wrote that she hoped that she was “a voice for telling my peers that there is not a minimum age to begin following their dreams.” Her inspiring story certainly epitomizes that dreams can come true—at any age—as well as the joy in using one’s talent to help others. We are incredibly proud of Cecilia and congratulate her on this tremendous and noteworthy honor.
I am proud to have received this award and I hope I have inspired you: I hope that all of you will consider finding a way “to give back!” and of course,
follow your dreams !!!
xo Cecilia
But even more incredible was meeting the other 101 state recipients of the award. It was amazing to be with so many kids who are all so passionate about helping others. Spending time with everyone and sharing stories and ideas has inspired me to do MORE!!!
I hope that I will be able to continue to inspire others to “follow your dreams” and to continue to design, sew and donate dresses for more and more girls at hospitals and shelters.
