Before snow fell last Friday, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and his wife, pop star Ciara, surprised a group of students from Foster High School at the Tukwila Library.
The duo were there with members of their Why Not You Foundation in partnership with the King County Library System, the KCLS Foundation and JPMorgan Chase to announce a new campaign – DREAM BIG: Anything is Possible.
The DREAM BIG campaign encourages high school students to utilize the wide range of teen programs and resources offered at community libraries, a media release stated.
To keep students out of the know before the event’s surprise guests arrived, the students were asked to write down their dreams.
Students wrote down anything from make-up artist to model to becoming a singer.
Ciara later read a handful of the student’s dreams, including Foster senior My’Keal Mosby – who wrote down make-up artist.
“When she (read mine out loud), I started crying,” Mosby said. “It was like I can do anything if I put my mind to it.”
A couple of volunteers also got up to discuss what it means to “dream big.”
Foster student Lamar spoke that to dream big is to do something you wanted to as a child. It means to influence you not to give up, to be excellent at your craft.
Foster student Muhammad said dream big means something you are hungry for, that you won’t give up. Try your best and prove them wrong, he continued.
“Being here is a public library, gives attention to the great work we do,” said Lisa Rosenblum, KCLS executive director.
One of the programs available to high school students is Teen Voices. The program that was piloted in 2017-2018 at the Tukwila Library will now branch out to five other locations – Auburn, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Kent and Renton.
Teen Voices helps to instill valuable and translatable skills for future success including project management, collaboration and leadership skills.
Rosenblum added the Teen Voices program also gives student the opportunity to learn public speaking and budgeting.
The pilot program at the Tukwila Library included 145 student participants who earned community service credit for participation.
The students also planned a Teen Voices Summit that focused on discussion topics from immigration, racial equity to bullying and mental health, the release continued.
Phyllis Campbell, chair of JPMorgan Chase Northwest Division, spoke to the attending students Friday on the potential she sees in them.
“I see a connection with libraries, education and employment,” she said.
Campbell told attendees when she was growing up in Spokane, her mom used to take her to the library weekly.
Russell and Ciara approached the mic and spoke with attendees about their vision with this new campaign.
Russell began by explaining why their foundation is named Why Not You. He told students it was a question his dad used to ask him.
He said his dad would ask “Why don’t you graduate early?” or “Why don’t you play professional baseball?”
Russell added we should ask ourselves that verbally – ask “Why can’t I be successful?”
He added that successful people don’t just ask that question, they find the answer to it.
Ciara stepped up next and told guests, “All it takes is one person to believe in you and that’s you.”
Along with the announcement of the new campaign, the Wilsons unveiled two limited edition library cards. The cards were created by artist Keegan Hall and feature Russell and Ciara.
The library cards are available at all 48 KCLS locations and all 83 JPMorgan Chase branches throughout King County. The cards will be available through June while supplies last.
Hall designed the library cards to fit side by side like a puzzle. The cards include dream-inspired images floating above Russell and Ciara – the dream images include a Super Bowl trophy, a Grammy and other things near and dear to the Wilsons.
To end last Friday’s event, Russell and Ciara announced $100,000 in Why Not You scholarships to help students achieve their post-high school educational dreams, the release stated.
Their foundation in partnership with the College Success Foundation is currently looking for students in King County to be a Why Not You Scholar.
Eight scholars will be selected this spring – four will receive $20,000 ($5,000 per year for four years) to attend a four year public institution and four other students will receive $5,000 ($2,500 per year for two years) to attend a community college or trade school.
Setting up this scholarship, Russell and Ciara said, is dreaming big for them.
“It’s been a blessing,” the Wilsons said.
The duo wants to help students get to college. “It’s a dream for us,” they said.
Applications will be available beginning March 1 and are due March 31. To apply, visit WhyNotYouFdn.org/DREAMBIG.
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Russell Wilson and Ciara pose with the students from Foster High School at the conclusion of Friday’s event. Courtesy photo by Why Not You Foundation
Prior to the event, Foster students were asked write down their dreams. Photo by Kayse Angel
Foster senior My’Keal Mosby’s dream to be a make up artist was read aloud by Ciara during Friday’s event. Photo by Kayse Angel
