Alaya Brown - Senior Project

the finale.

As far as technology goes, these past two weeks have been ROUGH.

First, my TypePad was going crazy. My last blog was double posted, and the final blog that I typed was deleted and unable to post. It was nice being able to go away and all, but there was no computer/wireless internet when I got to my destination. It couldn't get any worse than that. I got in touch with Mrs. Parkes, though, to make sure she knew exactly why it seemed that I had fallen behind in my blogging.

The last week of school, I was rounding up the money from all the sales that had been taking place over the past month or so, and keeping in touch with Dennis so that he would be informed of everything I was doing while he was in Zimbabwe. Also, I had been working on my 10 page paper....which I've found has been very hard for me to focus on after the success I felt when my event was finally over. Mr. Chris is a very good motivator, though. I guess it's just been hard for me to mix the anticipation of other things (like hearing back from college and turning 18:]) with writing a 10 page paper. .....Blah.

During break, I was hoping to work more on my paper, and even completely finishing it by Monday so that I could meet with Mr. Chris and finalize everything. I even took my laptop with me to Florida :(, but I'll just be grateful for these next couple of days/nights to finish.

The paper has been my only real struggle.. Other than that, I'm kind of excited about the presentation. I present on Thursday, January 28th... Hopefully, that goes as well as I picture in my head.

-Alaya.

It's almost break time...

and I'm back to feeling like I won't be able to get everything finished by January 6th. I've been completely motivated to continue with my project, even outside of school, by selling dolls and going to meetings to talk about the ZimKids and my Senior Project... but to finish my paper, eh... not so much.

I'm more excited about my oral presentation than finishing my paper and having that on display... sounds like a nightmare. For future reference, I think the mandatory 10 page paper for fundraiser-people should not be mandatory unless a student is put on contract by December. I think all five of us worked ridiculously hard and put a lot of unrecognized time and effort into putting on our benefits this year... Anyways, hopefully I can get it done.

I've been keeping in touch with Dennis about everything that's been going on over here (he's back in Zimbabwe). I have a final sale of dolls at the Lower School this Friday during their Winter concert. Everyone's excited about it, but I'm the most anxious because it's going to bring back memories of last year, when I did the same thing... Except Dennis was here and I was only volunteering. It was the second time I was volunteering to sell with Dennis and Mr. Chris, and I had just bought my own doll a couple of days before. By this time, I was really connected to the project and completely understood what Dennis was doing it for.

So I'll be there this Friday, experiencing extreme moments of deja vu.

Hope everything goes well.

-Alaya.

It's almost break time...

and I'm back to feeling like I won't be able to get everything finished by January 6th. I've been completely motivated to continue with my project, even outside of school, by selling dolls and going to meetings to talk about the ZimKids and my Senior Project... but to finish my paper, eh... not so much.

I'm more excited about my oral presentation than finishing my paper and having that on display... sounds like a nightmare. For future reference, I think the mandatory 10 page paper for fundraiser-people should not be mandatory unless a student is put on contract by December. I think all five of us worked ridiculously hard and put a lot of unrecognized time and effort into putting on our benefits this year... Anyways, hopefully I can get it done.

I've been keeping in touch with Dennis about everything that's been going on over here (he's back in Zimbabwe). I have a final sale of dolls at the Lower School this Friday during their Winter concert. Everyone's excited about it, but I'm the most anxious because it's going to bring back memories of last year, when I did the same thing... Except Dennis was here and I was only volunteering. It was the second time I was volunteering to sell with Dennis and Mr. Chris, and I had just bought my own doll a couple of days before. By this time, I was really connected to the project and completely understood what Dennis was doing it for.

So I'll be there this Friday, experiencing extreme moments of deja vu.

Hope everything goes well.

-Alaya.

Pictures from Event

African drumming to welcome the guests in..:]

 

 

Dennis was there!

Supporters! (plus soo many more)

  The show!!....

Haha... the skit ^

 

The Finaleee!...



The Phone Call to Zimbabwe:]

After everything, Dennis gave me the official ZIMKIDS t-shirt! There are only 10 of them in the world..

Such a beautiful night and an amazing experience. Glad everything went well.

-Alaya.

Successsssss :D

MY EVENT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

I had so much support, and so many people that chipped in last minute. I never expected it to turn out to great. I had ONE MORE rehearsal right before the show started (around 5:45), and Dennis (ZimKids founder) helped me tweak a few things to help make the show even better than it was. A lot of students came, even though they would have a final the next morning (I really appreciated that, everyone:), and people who couldn't stay the whole time stopped by beforehand to wish me good luck. All the money that I spent was well worth it because, by the end of the night, there was no food left... The turnout was incredible. I had seen the show a million times because of rehearsals, so instead of standing at the corner of the stage throughout the entire show and watching, I was backstage pacing and glancing over my copy of the program..just making sure that everything would turn out exactly as I planned.

Not only did everything turn out exactly as I planned, but the show was even funnier, even cuter, even more soulful, and even made some people cry at some points.

I got so many words of encouragement before the show began... I had the best group of people surrounding me while the show was happening... and I received great compliments afterward. People even complimented my singing (even though I tried as much as possible not to make it about me). And I raised soo much more money than I ever expected to (donations are still coming in!).

If I could make a list of the first people I would thank, I definitely would have to thank my mom first. She spent so much time and effort (and money) on my event, and she definitely didn't have to. I would thank Mr. Chris because he's an amazing mentor and never stops in his efforts to push me and help me make my Senior Project amazing. I would definitely thank Dennis Gaboury for just showing up... He's such a busy guy, but he thought it not robbery to come aaaaaallllll the way to Long Island to support my little fundraiser. I couldn't ask for a better outside consultant. I'd have to thank Mrs. Parkes and Frankel for being there to support me (whether they had to or not), and all the other teachers that were there... I can't even remember faces now. Every person who pitched in unexpectedly, I would definitely have to thank them. And anyone who just supported the cause or gave me moral support, even if they couldn't be there.

I'm still hearing good things about the show, and it feels so good to know that I achieved exactly what I wanted to do and had been rehearsing for.

I'm so excited:]

Now on to my 10 page paper.

-Alaya.

Busy as a Bee.

I can't believe I'm this close already...

I've been completely absorbed with my event. I haven't even looked at the date much in the past few days. The only thing I know is that Expressive Voices is happening this Wednesday... tomorrow. In the past week and a half, I've been emailing people I have never even heard of before now, scheduling meeting after meeting, having rehearsals (more than 3!) with the kids, and FREAKING out about things that I shouldn't at all. Grace can vouch for that.

There have been some tech problems in the Lecture Hall, so I haven't been sure of all my ideas that I had for the night (and that room in particular). I'm not as nervous as I thought I would be. Mr. Chris has been really good with easing all doubts that I have. Of course everything won't be perfect.. They are just kids. I'm sure just the spirit of the night will be enough.

Last night, from 6-7:30pm, was my last rehearsal before the actual performance. I will run through the show with the kids one last time before the guests start to arrive on Wednesday, but I know the kids will be great.

I've had last minute volunteers who've made my show even better than what I thought it would be (Kayla Myers agreed to perform after my two African dancers dropped out, and Vanessa, Forrest, Lucas, Noah, Allegra, and Sacks all agreed to help embellish the show.)

The kids are great, and I couldn't have asked for better dedication to my project.

My event is happening! This Wednesday, November 18th, from 6:00-7:30pm in the Senior Lobby & Lecture Hall.

*crossing my fingers*

-Alaya.

SO SOON!

The past two weeks have been so busy! I'm still having two rehearsals a week with the kids, and there are more and more acts being added to the show every week. I'm staying in contact with my outside consultant, Dennis, so that he can stay on track with what has been going on with everything before he comes to Long Island on the 15th. Rehearsals are not always easy because the kids have school beforehand and tend to get rowdyyy.. Especially later on in the week. I always have a lot of support from their parents, my mom, and Mr. Chris, though.

Today, I sent out a press release to all the newspapers (!!!!!) so that my event will have more publicity.. and the tickets are doing fairly well. The event is only a week and a half away! which is scary for me, but I'm also pretty excited about the things I've been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time.

This past week has been really stressful because I know how close I am to the date...

I also (this past Wednesday) went to the Lower Campus to talk to the Parents Association about my event. Harley and Mr. Chris was there so I felt really supported. The parents (mommies in particular) were super supportive of the cause and the fact that it was children who were putting on the show.

Can't wait for next week!

-Alaya.

this week:

I had my first rehearsal with the kids on Monday, October 19th. Mr. Chris came to my church to watch it and get an idea of how I would run my rehearsals, since I'm doing everything on my own. He stayed the whole time and gave me a lot of input while we practiced... He was extremely impressed with the kids and how easy it was for them to follow instructions and memorize lyrics.

I also created the layout for my postcards/invitations and plan on getting them printed this weekend!

I have more rehearsals scheduled for next week (two days a week starting next week) on Monday and Thursday, and I'm planning on teaching them Zimbabwean skits to learn for the show:]

Everything's looking good.

-Alaya.

Progression...

Well, this week has been both busy and productive..

I'm planning out the creation of my flyers/handouts for my event, which I'm really excited about because I haven't really been promoting my project as much as I've wanted to. Mr. Chris has been sick this week, so we haven't had time to meet.. =/ But I've been staying in contact with him and keeping him posted all throughout his sickness (that is my right hand man). I plan on meeting with him today after school to talk about the revisions I need to make with my rubric and the rehearsal I have scheduled for MONDAY, OCTOBER 19TH @ 6:00 with the kids participating in my concert:]

This following week, I plan on doing more work on promotion and my flyers. If anyone has any suggestions for good sites to create flyers, you can email me or leave a comment here. Thank youu..

-Alaya.

Stuck.

I thought that everything would become a lot easier when I finally found out my date and knew that my event was approved... but now that I've had my Systems Meeting, everything seems to be a lot harder. I don't know what to do next! Also, my date is next month so I have so much to do in a short amount of time. I've tried to schedule rehearsals with the kids for the concert, but at the end of the day, my school/sports/church schedule always seems to conflict with my plans (I first planned to have a rehearsal on Monday, October 5th, and then again on Thursday, October 8th). I'm going away this weekend, but I'll still be focusing on my project as much as possible. Hopefully I can start getting everything together by Monday.

In the mean time, I've been working on a layout/plan of the concert. This week, I've come up with songs and even entire performances and how I would like everything to look for the concert. I've sketched some pictures of how I'm seeing it in my mind. It all seems doable to me, but I'm still not completely confident that I can get it all done.. Once I have my first rehearsal with the kids, I know I'll feel a lot better about it.

-Alaya.