York's Umar Momen is new outstanding youth philantropist for the Central Coast

York graduate Umar Momen was named Outstanding Youth Philanthropist for the Central Coast after raising over $15,000 to alleviate poverty in Bangladesh.

It's the eight time in the last 12 years that a student from York garners the honor, school officials said in a statement.

Umar, now a freshman at UC Berkeley, was honored at the 24th annual National Philanthropy Day of the Central Coast on November 20 at The Inn at Spanish Bay. The award is presented by the Associaiton of Fundraising Professionals.

As a child, Umar visited Bangladesh, his parents’ homeland, and was shocked by the poverty he saw, and those images stayed with him. When he reached high school he researched solutions and discovered the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee —BRAC – the country’s largest nonprofit development organization.

As a sophomore at York School in 2012, he volunteered at two schools that served impoverished children in Dhaka, Bangladesh. When he returned to the United States he launched a fundraising campaign for BRAC with the goal of providing education that would serve up to 130 children – a financial goal of $5,000. Within two months, by talking with family, friends, friends of friends, and strangers, he inspired a reaction of giving and reached his goal.

Umar returned to Bangladesh to volunteer with BRAC in 2014. He learned about Kishori clubs, which serve girls ages 11-19 living in the slums of Bangladesh, who are often neglected, abused, or sold as child brides. Kishori clubs provide health, life-skills, leadership, and professional training education. Umar again undertook a crowd funding campaign when he returned to the U.S. and raised $10,241, enough to train 222 facilitators for the Kishori clubs.

During his four years at York, Umar volunteered over 1,000 hours at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. He's now working with BRAC to start a Youth Action Network in Berkeley for BRAC’s work in Bangladesh.

TEDdy Talks coming to CSUMB

The public is invited to TEDdy Talks – CSU Monterey Bay’s version of the popular TEDx talks now coming to campus.

Students from a variety of disciplines will make three- to five-minute presentations summing up their research during the presentation at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14 . The program will be held in the Alumni and Visitors Center, located on the corner of Gen. Jim Moore Boulevard and Inter-Garrison Road. Driving directions and a campus map can be found here.

The event is free but a parking permit must be purchased from the machine on the lot.

For more information, to request disability accommodations or to RSVP, email psychology@csumb.edu.

CSUMB Capstone festival coming Dec. 17 and 18

Cal State University Monterey Bay Students will once again show off what they're been up to in school. Their final projects are called 'capstones' and it's a requirement for graduation.

The capstones are research or creative projects that require students to pull together, synthesize and apply years of learning. As part of the process, students must publicly present their work. The fall Capstone Festival will be held Dec. 17 and 18 at locations around campus. The public is invited.

During the Capstone Festival, the campus takes on the feel of an intellectual marketplace. Biology and kinesiology students make poster presentations; teams of business students present strategic plans for local companies and organizations; music students give mini recitals; and students majoring in Cinematic Arts and Technology screen their projects.

 The Cine Arts students will show their work starting at 1 and again at 6 p.m. on Dec. 17 in the World Theater. For a schedule of times and locations, click here. .

Hartnell and Millennium students collaborate on "The Birds" production

Hamish Tyler, director of the Media Center for Arts Education and Technology at the Monterey County Office of Education, is excited about the new partnership they have with Hartnell.

The partnership is making possible a production of Aristophanes' The Birds, which will be performed both at Hartnell Studio Theatre and MCAET Black Box Theater.

"We're so proud of this achievement," Tyler said. "What we're doing is developing this articulated pathway" that will eventually include middle schools and summer programs in arts, media and entertainment.

"This is a sample of what we wat to see throughout the county," he said.

Check it out - here's a promo developed for it. The Birds also intends to raise awareness of Monterey County's threatened and endangered birds.

Shows:
Dec. 4 and  5, 7:30 PM, K116, Hartnell Studio Theatre, 411 Central Ave., Salinas.

Dec. 12, 7:30 PM and Dec. 13, 2 PM, MCOE/MCAET Black Box Theatre, 901 Blanco Circle, Salinas.