Page 24 - 2016 July voices

FUTURE STARS
The Youth Today. The Future Tomorrow.
by Hanin Najjar
December 12, 2015, the annual Future Stars
Competition. On this day I won third place and
received a shiny black trophy which now sits on
my shelf. Every time I see it, I am reminded of
my accomplishments and how far I have come
in the past few years. However, the trophy is
insignificant compared to what Future Stars
has really given me. Future Stars has given me
the ability to speak to strangers both on a stage
and off. It has given me the ability to leave my
comfort zone and place myself in foreign situa-
tions. It has given me the power of storytelling.
Although these are not tangible, they hold a great
value. Being a member of Future Stars for five
years has boosted my self confidence and gifted
me the power of a voice.
As an officer I want to bring this gift to other
members in the club and teach them communica-
tion and leadership skills. Future Stars provides
a safe space for youth to develop public speaking
skills and provides the members opportunities
to advocate for themselves.
In a world where the voices of the young
people are often drowned out by the elders. The
youth will be left with a world that they have
had no say in. Future Starts works to give these
youth a voice. Giving the youth a voice is vital
for the future.
Jasiah Hassan, the president of Future Stars
and a rising junior at Sunset High School, says,
“By empowering youth and giving us a voice,
we are securing a better future and inspiring an
entire generation of thinkers and leaders.”
In our world of destruction, chaos and corrup-
tion, it is today’s youth that bear the burden of
finding the solutions. Hassan says, “It won’t be
long before the rein will be handed to us and we’ll
be thrust into the terrifying position of dealing
with these enormous changes.”
To make the changes, the youth must have
resources and opportunities to learn. Diverse
groups such as Future Stars teach youth to see
the world in a different light and be open minded
to different ideas and thoughts.
24 Volume 3 Issue 1 - JULY 2016
Today in the United States and worldwide,
there is discrimination and hate for religion,
ethnicity, skin color, sex, occupation, and so on.
Changing those ideologies needs to start with the
youth. Youth that grow up with diversity will bring
a future of unity and peace between all of the
people, and the current world which is divided
into “us versus them” will fade away.
“I am hopeful” Hassan says, “that together we
will make the world a better place.”
Youth leaders that are motivated and well
spoken will gather and inspire people. Changes
will start to happen, and the future will be a little
brighter.
As I always say, if you want to change the
future, start with the youth.
Future Stars Gavel Club, is a youth communication
and leadership club administered by Toastmasters
International, helping the young people of today
become the great leaders of tomorrow! The club is
open to all middle school and high school aged kids. It
gives them the opportunity to become better listeners,
thinkers, speakers and leaders.
The club meets weekly during the school year every
Saturday from 10:30am-12:00pm at 4115 SW 160th
Avenue, Beaverton, Oregon 97007 in the first room
in the portal. To learn more about Future Stars or
to visit the club, pleas contact us at
futurestarstoastmasters@gmail.com or contact Coach
Eric at 503.516.6271. Visitors are encouraged to
visit the club and see for themselves why Future Stars
should be part of their educational journey.