|
James Valitchka, (born 1995) is a motivational speaker and author who works to inspire children, students and professionals worldwide. He won the "Most Inspiring Youth of the Decade" Diamond Award, which is given to the student who "demonstrates consistent community service, global leadership, determination, inspiration, achievement, motivation, is an overcomer, a negotiator and is dedicated." This award is predicated on providing six social references. Valitchka provided sixteen reference letters, two years of transcripts and participated in an interview. Valitchka won the 2013 International Barack Obama Influencer Diamond Award,〔Toronto Star: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/02/07/pride_swells_in_black_history_month.html〕 which was presented to Valitchka on January 27, 2013 and is awarded to the student who has inspired millions of people across the globe to take part in their school community, their political community and the world in general. The student has a presence, an aura of success and excellent public speaking skills, which sets them apart and enables them to empower others. Valitchka wrote his first bestselling novel, ''Superheroes Don't Have Dads'', at eight years old. When he was only 10 years old he became an anti-bullying advocate and motivational speaker, as well as a goodwill ambassador for literacy. He has traveled throughout Canada and internationally, encouraging children everywhere to read and write. He has also spoken at several Safe School Forums and anti-bullying workshops and conventions. He launched international programming and conferences called ''Literacy Can Change Lives'' with the support of Air Canada, Rosemary Sadlier, the Ontario Black History Society, Herbert Carnegie's Future Aces, Sutton Place Hotels, HUB International and Judge Stanley Grizzle, who is his godfather. Valitchka has been selected as one of ten finalists for the "Most Inspiring Youth of the Decade Award" and the Diamond Award. To date Valitchka has published eight books, including ''I Love Grandpa'', ''Superheroes Don't Have Dads'', ''Locked Up Mysteries'', ''Free To Be Me'', ''Jess and Cade's Spy Missions'', ''Maybe I'll Be a Pastor'', and ''I'm Not Brown I'm Human'' and ''Greater Expectations''.〔National Library Archives, Wellington Street, Ottawa and http://www.jamesvalitchka.com under "References".〕 ==Biography== Valitchka is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, whose father is from Wisconsin and mother is from Ontario. He balances his free time between his two homes in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He loves to play basketball, it is his passion. Valitchka was raised by a single mom who taught him a love of reading and writing He started writing at the age of five, dictating his ideas and stories to his mother. His book ''Superheroes Don't Have Dads'' became a best seller when he was nine years old. Valitchka has received international media coverage from CNN, CTV National News, CBC National News, and Global TV National News, as well as Making a Difference with Susan Hay.〔CTV National News at 11:00 pm, May 9, 2005〕〔http://www.top20under20.ca Top 20 under 20〕〔http://www.diamondaward.ca/awards-ceremony.html Diamond Awards〕 Valitchka has written seven children’s books and one novel for youth and adults. His novel ''Superheroes Don't Have Dads'' addresses issues of single parent homes, self-esteem, and bullying. It has sold over 100,000 copies and is recognized internationally as a teacher's resource by educators, social workers, doctors and journalists. His book ''I'm Not Brown I'm Human'' was written in honour of Black History Month and discusses issues of love, acceptance of differences and how words can hurt. The theme of the book is that all humans are beautiful and we can overcome these situations with education, forgiveness, and hope. Valitchka's full-length youth novel, ''Greater Expectations'', is a heroic tale that openly relays the realistic challenges faced by teens today. He said that there were times when he was writing it that tears came to his eyes, but he kept writing because he wanted to share the pain and joy of the many children and teens he had met during his travels.〔Harris, Kris:Teen to give anti-bullying talk at local school, Jan. 24, 2008, http://www.northernlife.ca/News/Lifestyle/2008/01-25-08-bully.asp?NLStory=01-25-08-bully〕 Since 2004, Valitchka has been an International Goodwill Ambassador for Literacy, anti-bullying advocate, touring schools and communities all over Canada encouraging children everywhere to read, write and make positive choices. Valitchka was the youngest recipient ever of the Canadian top 20 under 20 National Award for innovation, excellence and leadership on May 6, 2005. He also won the Me to We ''Canadian Living'' magazine award in 2007 and has recently won the Province of Ontario's June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award that was presented to him by Premier Dalton McGuinty on April 28, 2008 along with the Ottawa Civic Appreciation award to presented to him in Ottawa on May 5. He created the annual student conference Literacy Can Change Lives in 2006 and later created Valitchka’s Stand Tall and Speak Out: Voice for Children and Youth in 2008. The same year Valitchka founded Global Youth United for Success,〔http://www.globalyouthunitedforsuccess.com〕 which is now run by a team of ten volunteers and has over one million members. He is described by those who know him as honest, intelligent, respectful and a team player. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「James Valitchka」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|