2014
A Year In Review
Message from Founder Connor ArcherThe Courageous Steps Project had an exciting first year accomplishing many great things. As the founder of the Courageous Steps Project, I would like to share some key events and accomplishments that made the project have a memorable first year.
On Thursday January 16, I revealed my diagnosis of Autism to my peers in my honors health class. I did the same thing on Friday January 17, to another honors health class. On Wednesday March 19, I held an OTHS Honors' Diploma seminar talking about what I had to overcome. This included activities with students, and guest speakers Jessica Archer and Dr. Tim Rogers. On Wednesday May 14, Ernie Clark from the Bangor Daily News, interviewed me about my journey with Autism. The headline made the front page of the paper and was the biggest story on BDN website for a few hours. We found out that many people in the community know someone with Autism. On Thursday May 15, an article from the Penobscot Times, was released telling my story with a different prospective, and the goals of the Courageous Steps Project. On Sunday May 18th, the first annual Courageous Steps fundraiser was held at Old Town High School's Victory Field raising over $3700. The fundraiser had almost 200 people that day and included many activities including a 1 mile fun run/walk, including a competitive mile for the high school athletes & other runners. On Tuesday June 17th, the money raised from the first annual Courageous Steps fundraiser, was given to each organization. The Old Town Elementary K-2 Special Education Department received $1000, which was given to Principal Jeanna Tuell, and Assistant Principal Matthew Cyr. The Green House Nursery School received $2000, which was handed off to director Lynn Faerber. This was announced at their last day of school for the year, in front of students, and their parents. The rest of the funds raised from the fundraiser were put into a scholarship fund that will first start with the Class of 2015 at Old Town High School. (Criteria will be released on Friday January 2nd, 2015!) On Wednesday June 18th, founder Connor Archer, spent most of the day at the Green House Nursery School cleaning up the gardens, and re-doing the front of the entrance at the Green House Nursery School, with a new paint job. Courageous Steps Project founder Connor Archer spent the afternoon on Thursday August 21st, with RSU #34 school board member Lee Jackson, to collect school supplies for RSU #34 schools with help from the Old Town McDonalds. The Stuff the Bus fundraiser was very successful as they filled a whole bus. The bus was then driven back to Old Town Elementary School, as the supplies were distributed to all the schools in RSU #34. On Sunday August 24th, the Courageous Steps Project held it's first annual Courageous Steps Back to School drive at Old Town High School, which benefited all RSU #34 schools and the Lewis Libby School in Milford. On Monday August 25th, founder Connor Archer delivered the first of the school supplies to the Lewis Libby School in Milford to Assistant Principal & Athletic Director Trish Clark. On Tuesday August 26th, the Courageous Steps Project's founder Connor Archer, spoke at the RSU #34 Staff-Opening Day where he inspired teachers to choose a word and apply it in their classrooms. Leonard Middle School Principal Jennifer Cyr made it bigger, by incorporating it into an activity with staff. Each staff member chose a word, which then was put in a Wordle. Many of these are now displayed throughout Leonard Middle School. On Monday September 8th, Connor gave a lecture at the United Methodist Church on Essex Street in Bangor, where once again, he continued to inspire many current, and former female teachers around the Bangor Area. On Monday September 15th, Connor received an email from Old Town Elementary School teacher Kerri Kennedy, who decided to use the inspiration from my talk to staff on Tuesday August 26, and apply it with students in the 4th grade at OTES. She even asked the students to ask their parents what word described them best. As you can see, the Courageous Steps Project has accomplished so much in it's first year. I, Connor Archer, am proud of the work I've done to make the Courageous Steps Project possible. One small idea, has turned into something bigger and better. This will continue to get bigger and better next year, as our next goal is to host the 2nd Annual Courageous Steps fundraiser, once again held at Old Town High School. From the founder of the Courageous Steps Project, I wish you a Happy New Year 2015!!! |
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