The Parade and Pear Festival Party!

“Volunteering is at the core of being a human.” - Heather French Henry

Hosts Julia, Keerthi, and Sharanya, along with volunteers Ella and Sean star in this special edition of Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio as they reminisce about the extraordinary celebration in which they participated on September 28, 2024: the Parade and Pear Festival hailing the 50th anniversary of the Town of Moraga and the 25th anniversary of Be the Star You Are!® charity. It was a day beyond everyone’s wildest expectations and so much fun. The chairperson of the parade, Ella, wrangled her wonderful and generous parents into renting a truck which they decorated with stars, banners, and balloons. Volunteers marched with banners and balloons chanting “Read, lead, succeed!” as Madeleine cookies were thrown to the crowds. Keerthi and Sharanya chaired the Pear Festival booth, Julia cooked up delicious treats for the 25th-anniversary party, and Sean, the official BTSYA videographer ran around shooting stills and videos. Children planted seeds to take home as part of the Plant the Seeds of Literacy program, books were read to enthralled children, many freebies were distributed, and the sweet sensations of being part of a vibrant, inclusive community were in the air. When the volunteers were recognized on stage as the 2024 Nonprofit of the Year, Ella gave a beautiful speech acknowledging the accomplishments of the volunteers, supporters, and everyone whodonates their expertise to make this a better world. The Chamber of Commerce organized a ribbon cutting to commemorate the 25th anniversary of BTSYA’s service, which was a very special event for the teens. Praise for the positive outreach programs, radio broadcasts, and community service of Be the Star You Are!® was recognized and most of all, everyone declared it was a day to remember in posterity!

• https://www.facebook.com/ExpressYourselfTeenRadio/

• https://www.facebook.com/BTSYAcharity/

• https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/

Listen at Voice America Network, Empowerment Channel: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/151631/the-parade-and-pear-festival-party