Ventura County Star Article
Program in Thousand Oaks shows Girl Scouts they're already stars
By Alicia Doyle
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Aspiring to be a singer when she grows up, 8-year-old Megan Zide learned more about the craft of being on stage during an event for Brownies and Girl Scouts designed to bring out the star in every girl.
"I'm here because I love to sing and dance and I wanna be a singer," said the Westlake third-grader, a Brownie in Troop 60138. "When I get on stage, I want to do the best I can."
Her mom, Erica Zide, said: "She's confident by nature. This will help build more confidence and self-assurance."
Megan was among about 100 girls who participated Saturday in Girl Scout Star, a program inspired by Thousand Oaks resident Denise Burke, who holds a master's degree in social work.
"Girl Scouts is another way to help empower girls and young women," said Burke, who has been counseling teens and adults for the past 15 years.
Event proceeds will benefit Camp Conejo, a Girl Scout day camp started last June by Burke.
"I developed Girl Scout Star to remind girls that they are already stars," Burke said. "Girls often look to movie and music stars and want to be just like them instead of valuing themselves. I want to teach girls to believe in themselves and to be happy with who they are. Girl Scout Star is a way to remind them to be comfortable in their own skin."
The event took place at Weathersfield Elementary School in Thousand Oaks, where numerous volunteers facilitated workshops and activities that included face painting, craft making and cupcake decorating.
Before breaking into small groups, the girls came together for a Girl Scout circle that involved singing "Make New Friends" and saying the Girl Scout pledge.
Workshops led by casting directors Christine Sheaks and Kim Williams taught the girls about auditions, the importance of a resume and head shots, how to do a cold reading and other skills for the entertainment industry.
"I want these girls to recognize their individual beauty, strength and power. I want them to be happy with who they are and their fabulous selves. I want them to dream big," said Williams, of Los Angeles, a producer and casting agent whose film credits include: "Madea's Family Reunion," "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" and "3 Ninjas."
The session led by Sheaks, of Los Angeles, involved role playing.
"This business might seem overwhelming and intimidating," Sheaks said "We want to empower the girls to be the best they can be. We want them to follow their bliss."
Terra Lane, 8, a member of Troop 60138, said Saturday's workshop will help her on stage.
"I wanted to learn how to act for a talent show at my school," she said.
Her mother, Tammy Lane, said: "I like her to be involved with other kids. She's shy, so this will help her be more confident."
Jenny Kent, 14, now in her seventh year of scouting, was among several teenage Girl Scouts who served as mentors for the day.
"I love doing community service because I like helping others," the Thousand Oaks eighth-grader said. "We're helping out by setting good examples and showing you can help others."
Tanya Tong, of Oak Park, brought her two daughters, ages 8 and 10.
"It's empowering for them to see women in leadership roles," she said. "This event will help them be more confident and willing to take risks. Later in life, they will reach out to other girls and make them stronger."
"I'm here because I love to sing and dance and I wanna be a singer," said the Westlake third-grader, a Brownie in Troop 60138. "When I get on stage, I want to do the best I can."
Her mom, Erica Zide, said: "She's confident by nature. This will help build more confidence and self-assurance."
Megan was among about 100 girls who participated Saturday in Girl Scout Star, a program inspired by Thousand Oaks resident Denise Burke, who holds a master's degree in social work.
"Girl Scouts is another way to help empower girls and young women," said Burke, who has been counseling teens and adults for the past 15 years.
Event proceeds will benefit Camp Conejo, a Girl Scout day camp started last June by Burke.
"I developed Girl Scout Star to remind girls that they are already stars," Burke said. "Girls often look to movie and music stars and want to be just like them instead of valuing themselves. I want to teach girls to believe in themselves and to be happy with who they are. Girl Scout Star is a way to remind them to be comfortable in their own skin."
The event took place at Weathersfield Elementary School in Thousand Oaks, where numerous volunteers facilitated workshops and activities that included face painting, craft making and cupcake decorating.
Before breaking into small groups, the girls came together for a Girl Scout circle that involved singing "Make New Friends" and saying the Girl Scout pledge.
Workshops led by casting directors Christine Sheaks and Kim Williams taught the girls about auditions, the importance of a resume and head shots, how to do a cold reading and other skills for the entertainment industry.
"I want these girls to recognize their individual beauty, strength and power. I want them to be happy with who they are and their fabulous selves. I want them to dream big," said Williams, of Los Angeles, a producer and casting agent whose film credits include: "Madea's Family Reunion," "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" and "3 Ninjas."
The session led by Sheaks, of Los Angeles, involved role playing.
"This business might seem overwhelming and intimidating," Sheaks said "We want to empower the girls to be the best they can be. We want them to follow their bliss."
Terra Lane, 8, a member of Troop 60138, said Saturday's workshop will help her on stage.
"I wanted to learn how to act for a talent show at my school," she said.
Her mother, Tammy Lane, said: "I like her to be involved with other kids. She's shy, so this will help her be more confident."
Jenny Kent, 14, now in her seventh year of scouting, was among several teenage Girl Scouts who served as mentors for the day.
"I love doing community service because I like helping others," the Thousand Oaks eighth-grader said. "We're helping out by setting good examples and showing you can help others."
Tanya Tong, of Oak Park, brought her two daughters, ages 8 and 10.
"It's empowering for them to see women in leadership roles," she said. "This event will help them be more confident and willing to take risks. Later in life, they will reach out to other girls and make them stronger."
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