"I Act With Respect"
A spotlight of inviduals from schools, communities, and from around the world who have taken it upon themselves to "pay it forward" as AWRA Ambassadors. They are vital role models in our society, we humbly thank you, and respect you!
Emma Hyatt – Saratoga Springs, NY
"Generation Outreach raised about $1,500 to go towards buying iPods and other necessities for the Music and Memory Program."My name is Emma Hyatt, I’m a junior at Saratoga Springs High School and I am the founder of the Generation Outreach Club. I play on the varsity tennis team where Act With Respect Always is featured.
How did you meet Coach Rich Johns?
I met Coach Johns when he was my 6th grade social studies teacher. He was also the coach of my mom, Linda Spokane, when she played on the varsity tennis team at Saratoga High. My brother, my two uncles, and my Grandma also know him very well.
How did you you hear about Act With Respect Always?
I first heard about Act With Respect Always when I was in 8th grade. Coach gave me a shirt to wear so I could spread the word about it. I didn’t know much about it, but when I joined the tennis team in tenth grade Coach came to speak to our team about respecting others on and off the courts.
How has the Act With Respect Alway mission effected you personally?
I’m very active in the tennis program at the high school and Tim O’Brien, the head coach of Varsity tennis at the high school, is my faculty advisor for Generation Outreach. I’m around Act With Respect Always around the school and in the classroom, even signs around the neighborhood and my community. I make it a priority to always respect others; my teachers, my friends, my parents, my boss, my peers, everyone.
Please share with us how you have or will, in the future, “Pay it Forward”
I created a club at the high school called Generation Outreach. The club helps senior citizens that have Dementia or Alzheimer’s receive music therapy in nursing homes around the community. It features the Music and Memory Program which puts music, the resident likes and is familiar with, on an iPod. The resident will listen to the music and respond to it either by tapping their foot or even singing along with the songs. This method of music therapy has been proven to have tremendous results. Generation Outreach raised about $1,500 to go towards buying iPods and other necessities for the Music and Memory Program. We also introduced the program to Wesley Nursing Home in Saratoga and now the program has started in Wesley. We’re looking forward to reaching out to another nursing home soon. I’m so proud of what we have accomplished so far and I am sure we’ll achieve much more over the summer and into the next school year!
How would you describe the Act With Respect Always mission to others?
The Act With Respect Always Mission reminds everyone from toddlers to grandparents that respect is a big part of our lives. We not only need to respect others, but respect ourselves all the time, no matter where we are. It reminds us that we have our own responsibilities to be a role model to the younger kids that look up to us every day.
Would you recommend Rich to speak about Respect to others?
I would definitely recommend Rich to speak about respect to others. He should spread the word not only in schools, but in workplaces and maybe even nursing homes!