Cierra Blair

NJ State Conference of the NAACP Act-So — Humanities – Poetry Written

I am sixteen years old and I am a junior at Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights, NJ. Currently I work at the YMCA in member services and in my extra hours I volunteer at Fountain Baptist church. I take part in all of the events including: protests, fundraisers, and luncheons. In my free time you can find me in my room writing or listening to music. I love lending a helping hand to my community. Achievements: ● First black captain of the Governor Livingston Highlander Fencing team leading the biggest team that we have had in four years with over 50 people. ● Varsity fencer who led the girls Sabre team to ninth in the NJ State Competition. ● 2020 Captain & Dual Weaponist award recipient ● Competed in Act-so a competition hosted by the NAACP. Won Second for Original Essay and Third for Written Poetry, and this was my first year of ever competing. Community Involvement: ● Governor Livingston H.S Student Ambassador ● Competed in Kean University UCCStep. Our ideas for suicide prevention ended up winning and was showcased at Governor Livingston HS Others would describe me as a funny, go-getting, and determined type of person. I have learned from my mother, who is a person I respect and look up to, that if you want something you must work hard for it and I live my life by this motto.

CierraBlair_Obstacles_poem_2020

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The Governor’s Awards in Arts Education began in 1980 to promote awareness and appreciation of the arts, recognizing the creativity, talent and leadership of the award winners. Each year, awards are presented to approximately 20 educators and 80 students. National and statewide organizations select the students for their exemplary work in creative writing, speech, dance, music, theatre and visual arts and the leaders for their exceptional commitment and contribution to arts education. The program also recognizes arts educators and arts education advocates, whose leadership has helped nurture the development of students in the arts across the state.

16 Mount Bethel Road Suite 202, Warren, NJ 07059
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The Governor’s Awards event is a partnership of the Arts Ed NJ, the Department of Education, Art Pride New Jersey Foundation, the Department of State and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Additional support is provided by: the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics; Art Educators of New Jersey; Art Administrators of New Jersey; Dance New Jersey; New Jersey Council of Teachers of English; New Jersey Speech and Debate League; New Jersey Music Educators Association; New Jersey Performing Arts Center; Writer's Theatre of New Jersey; Speech and Theatre Association of New Jersey; New Jersey Thespians and Young Audiences of New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. The cooperating organizations, award sponsors and individual members of the planning council dedicate their time to make sure that excellence in the arts is rewarded, and work tirelessly throughout the year to plan this special event. The Governor's Awards in Arts Education ceremony are a major collaborative effort of the arts, education and state government.