Words of wisdom: HomesTED Talks delivers once again

Cassie Shaurette, Photographer|February 6, 2016

CLICK HERE to see full versions of all of the talks.

Students Helping Impact Foster Teens (SHIFT) hosted their second annual HomesTED Talks on Friday, Feb. 5 in the orchestra room at Homestead High School. There were about 60 people in attendance which is slightly less than the 100 people that attended the event last year.

According to the TED Talks website, “TED is a platform for ideas worth spreading. Started in 1984 as a conference where technology, entertainment and design converged, TED today shares ideas from a broad spectrum — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages.”

SHIFT uses HomesTED Talks as a way for faculty members to share fun and entertaining 4-7 minute speeches on topics of their choosing.

Tickets for the event were sold during both A and B lunches starting Wednesday, Jan. 27 all the way up until Friday, Feb. 5, the day of the event. Tickets that were sold at lunch only cost $5 for students and $7 for adults, but prices were then raised to $7 for students and $10 for adults when bought at the door.

“We did not sell as many tickets as expected at lunch, but we were pleasantly surprised with the number of people who purchased tickets at the door,” Lindsey Scozzafave, senior and president of SHIFT, said.

The first faculty member to speak at the event was Mr. Paul Sivanich with his topic, “The First and Second Laws of Good Ideas.” Principal Brett Bowers was next with “Why Did I Let That Guy Copy My Paper,” then Ms. Anna Mae Grimm spoke with “Wearable Art: A Global Wardrobe.” A short video was then played afterward about how the foster care system works.

There was then a brief 10 minute intermission in which people could buy items from the bake sale and buy tickets for the raffle. Prizes for the raffle included three gift baskets, one themed “Date Night,” another “Go Red,” and the final was “Cold Weather Cravings.”

The “Date Night” basket contained Russell Stover assorted chocolates, two bottles of sparkling cider, two boxes of Act II popcorn, two popcorn containers, assorted candy, scented candles, a $20 Chuck’s Place gift certificate, a stuffed teddy bear and two platinum movie passes.

The “Go Red” basket contained a WIAA Division 2 Football Championship picture, a decorative “H,” three custom tee shirts, an official SHIFT sweatshirt, a Homestead sweatshirt, “Go Red!” body jewelry, a Homestead hair bow, a red and white bracelet and a red, black and white fleece tie blanket.

The “Cold Weather Cravings” basket contained a $5 Colectivo gift card, a $5 Fiddleheads gift card, two coffee mugs, assorted K-cups for Keurig machines, a coloring book, assorted candy, classic roast coffee, hot chocolate with marshmallows, Snugadoo fuzzy socks and assorted Tazo tea bags.

The three winners were Anthony Grisa of the “Date Night” basket, Mike Kamarainen, a parent, of the “Go Red” basket and William Clark, junior, of the “Cold Weather Cravings” basket.

“I’m really happy that most of the SHIFT members were able to bring something for the bake sale because it was really successful. The raffle was put together really well, and I know whoever won the baskets will be very happy with them,” Josie Schaut, junior and vice president of SHIFT, said.

After the intermission a video of Mr. Ernie Millard’s TED Talk of “Backwards Bucket List” was presented because he was unable to be at the event. Mrs. Susie Godfrey was next with “The Problem with Assumptions,” and Mrs. Angie Cicero went last with a topic of “Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast.”

Mrs. Cicero had participated in HomesTED Talks for both of the years that it was held because she believes so strongly in the great cause. “At some point in my life I would love to be a foster parent; I find it to be an incredible service and act of love. Since I cannot do that right now, anything that I can do to support those who have opened their homes to others is important for me. I have an older half brother and an older half sister who were taken in by another family when they were infants, that I didn’t meet until I was a teenager, which has really helped me to appreciate the system even more,” Mrs. Cicero said.

Those in attendance at the TED Talks had nothing but great things to say about the event. Many thought that the creativity of the show was what made it so special. “I came because I went last year and I really enjoyed it, and I had a lot of fun, so I came again,” Jared Kashou, senior, said.

SHIFT plans to continue having HomesTED Talks next year because of what a big success they always are. “I think that the turnout was amazing, the talks were interesting and I think that everyone enjoyed themselves,” Scozzafave said.