Margaret hudson june 2013

Thirty students participated in graduation reception ceremonies. Graduation for Broken Arrow campus seniors was held on May 16, and graduation for the Tulsa campus seniors was held on May 23. Both graduations were held at the Mabee Center.

The Margaret Hudson Program is honored to present the class of 2013: Victoria Aliyeva, Alysha Allen, Kendra Bearer, Brittany Bruton, Chi Chang, Adria Davis, Stefani Delaney, Makenzie Dotter, Danielle Dziurda, Araceli Garcia, Ashley Glaze, Tijshanee Howard, Brandy Johnson, Ashley Kennon, Kailey Kite, Teariana Leach, Rikki Mashburn, Katelyn Miller-Cohen, Breonna Moreland, Valerie Ordonez, Sarah Prudy, Melanie Ruskoski, Leslie Santana, Juana Sarabia, Margy Sosa, Meagan Starr, Sonia Tolentino, Aimee Weston, Emily Wilkerson, and Amari Woodberry.

During “Senior Week,” graduates participated in a number of activities. These included a special reception, breakfast, luncheon, and all school picnic where they shared their special experiences

Margaret HudsonPROGRAMConnection

Creating HealtHy Futures For teen Families summer 2013

Class of 2013

Congratulations Class of 2013!

Continued to page 3 Above: Tulsa 2013 graduating class, below: Broken Arrow 2013 graduating class.

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student spotlight

She is a 2013 Margaret Hudson Program (MHP) senior at the Tulsa campus. With increasing pregnancy complications, Juana came to the MHP from Nathan Hale High School after hearing a presentation about the MHP. She felt the MHP would be a better fit for her by being more flexible with her needs and being a less stressful environment. This also meant she could go to a school where she was supported, did not feel judged, and did not have to battle crowded hallways or walk up and down stairs.

Through the MHP, Juana learned that you need willpower and motivation to finish school, which in turn makes

you a better person for yourself and your children. “I didn’t want to be another statistic of a ruined life, and not finish school,” said Juana. The birthing class offered by the MHP registered nurse, Myrtle Watson, was especially helpful to Juana as she prepared to enter parenthood with her husband.

Juana said, “I will miss the support from the staff and teachers the most when I graduate.” After graduation, Juana plans to go to Tulsa Community College for nursing, eventually serving as an obstetrician supporting other teen moms as her doctors did. When asked what advice she would give other students who become pregnant she

shared, “You should finish school because you can go for your dreams even if you are pregnant.”

Meet Juana!

Our annual Student Leadership Conference, held March 27, provided an opportunity for the students to grow through team building activities, and learning about important topics such as managing your finances, the dangers of human trafficking, and how to establish healthy relationships. The day was highlighted through the motivational personal stories shared by our program’s almuni, which strengthened our students’ confidence to succeed.

This year’s keynote speaker was Kim Jackson, Tulsa’s Channel 8 education reporter and Margaret Hudson Program alumni. Michelle Feliciano and Laura McDonald also shared their personal stories of empowerment from their challenges as pregnant Margaret Hudson Program students through their current professional careers.

Students attended breakout sessions focusing on financial planning practices presented by Carla Thomas, Ellie Powers, and Leslie Diaz of F&M Bank; the dangers of human trafficking and importance of cyber safety through social media and online dating led by Kylla Leeburg, Service Learning Coordinator at Broken Arrow Schools; and they learned ways to implement and maintain healthy relationships led by Union Schools Community Organizer Libby Adjei.

Leadership awards were presented to two students who have exemplified outstanding conduct and performance. Senior, Emily Wilkerson of Broken Arrow, and junior Johniesha McGee of Tulsa were celebrated as “Students of the Year.” In addition to the committee considering the candidate’s academic achievement and serving as a positive role model, the recipients were also chosen by their peers based on who displayed leadership qualities at each campus.

Thank you to our sponsors The Zarrow Families Foundation, and T.D. Williamson for helping underwrite this special event.

Student Leadership Conference

Pictured with students, above: Michelle Feliciano, below: Kim Jackson.

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National Volunteer Week took place April 21-27 and was celebrated through a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon held on Wednesday, April 24 at the Broken Arrow Campus. Volunteers from both the Tulsa and Broken Arrow campuses came together and shared their experiences, and were acknowledged for giving generously of their time. A volunteer of the year was selected for each campus, based on volunteer hours, activity participation, and contributions to the overall program. The Broken Arrow recipient was Carol Simmons, who serves as a hugger in the childcare area. The Tulsa Volunteer of the Year was Kathy Jewell who also serves as a hugger.

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

L-R Kathy Jewell and Carol Simmons.

and success found through the program. The Tulsa campus breakfast was

hosted and donated by the Sand Springs United Methodist Church, and the Broken Arrow campus breakfast was hosted by the Margaret Hudson Program Family and Consumer Sciences class. Thank you to Zio’s Italian Kitchen at 81st and Lewis for hosting and donating the Tulsa seniors’ luncheon, as well as Broken Arrow Public Schools for hosting the Broken Arrow senior’s reception in their Grand Ballroom with cake and punch provided by First United Methodist Church of Broken Arrow. These events provided an opportunity for the program’s seniors to

express their future goals, as well as appreciate the memories they had with their graduating classmates.

Commencement speeches were made at the Broken Arrow campus reception by Cheryl Kelley, and at the Tulsa campus reception by Carol Saylor-Hefley, Margaret Hudson Program graduate. Senior expression speeches were given by Brandy Johnson, Araceli Garcia, and Amari Woodberry of the Tulsa campus, and Victoria Aliyeva, Emily Wilkerson, Kendra Bearer, and Melanie Ruskoski of the Broken Arrow Campus. Kendra Bearer said, “I can’t believe that I am finally graduating and I am looking

forward to see where my path takes me. I also wouldn’t be here without the Margaret Hudson Program. Thank you for inspiring me to be the best me possible. I realized that it wasn’t me that I was living for anymore, but for this precious child and I needed to do anything that I could to succeed for him and to give him a good life. Ever since then I have strived to do my best when it came to school and being a mother.”

Life after the Margaret Hudson Program will include many varied opportunities for our graduates. Fifteen students have plans to begin college in the fall. Good luck to our graduates!

Class of 2013 Continued from page 1

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student spotlight

Meet Melanie and her daughter, Rebecca. She is a 2013 Margaret Hudson Program (MHP) senior at the Broken Arrow campus. After learning about the program from her parents, Melanie and her daughter came to the MHP looking for a supportive educational environment. MHP provided easy access to the resources they both needed free of judgment enabling them to thrive as both teen mother and child.

Melanie shared that one of her favorite activities the MHP provided were the holiday celebrations for the children. “I enjoyed getting to share in the Thanksgiving lunch and Valentine’s Day potluck with my daughter, and will miss her being in daycare at school with me after I graduate,” she said. Rebecca has also benefited from the MHP through the homemade toys her mom learns to make through the Parents As Teachers program. Melanie recommends the MHP to other pregnant and parenting teen mothers who are struggling because of the services the program provides in addition to education such as counseling, assistance with finding living accommodations and children’s supplies and clothing.

Upon graduation, Melanie plans to continue her education at Tulsa Community College where she is already taking classes in order to obtain an early childhood education

degree to teach Kindergarten or first grade after being inspired by the MHP childcare employees. Congratulations to Melanie for being awarded the 2013 Operation Round Up $1,000 scholarship from the East Central Electric Foundation to help her continue her education. Good luck Melanie!

Meet Melanie!

just the facts• AnupdatedanalysisfromTheNationalCampaignto

Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy shows that teen childbearing in Oklahoma cost taxpayers at least $190 million in 2008. Nationally, teen childbearing costs taxpayers at least $10.9 billion each year.

• OfthetotalteenchildbearingcostsinOklahomain2008, 48% were federal costs and 52% were state and local costs.

• Mostofthepublicsectorcostsofteenchildbearingareassociated with negative consequences for the children of teen mothers, during both their childhood and their young adult years. In Oklahoma in 2008, taxpayer costs associated with children born to teen mothers included: $36 million for public health care (Medicaid and CHIP); $27 million for child welfare; and, for children who have reached adolescence or young

adulthood, $29 million for increased rates of incarcer-ation, and $56 million in lost tax revenue due to decreased earnings and spending.

• Between1991and2008therehavebeenapproximately138,324 teen births in Oklahoma, costing taxpayers a total of $3.7 billion over that period.

• TheteenbirthrateinOklahomadeclined15%percentbetween 1991 and 2008. The progress Oklahoma has made in reducing teen childbearing saved taxpayers an estimated $55 million in 2008 alone over the costs it would have in¬curred had the rates not fallen.

Statistical information provided by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

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The 2013 Candy Land themed Prom was held on Friday, April 26 at Camp Loughridge. Thanks to in-kind donations from Tulsa Career Point, who offered their hair styling services, as well as, Becca’s Closet, who provided the students with dresses, and

to all the other in-kind donors that made this year’s prom so special. The Tulsa and Broken Arrow students enjoyed a night together with music, food, a candy bar, and dancing.

Candy Land Prom

Effective financial planning takes time and patience. Everyone desires to do to planning, no matter their season of life, but few ever accomplish the goal. Financial planning enables you to meet your long term needs and goals, while providing for your family.

Through planning you can know that you have provided yourself the best opportunities with the greatest amount of flexibility. What you may not know is the planning process is not just one single document, but a collaboration of several documents that accomplish specific tasks. Below are a few of the tools that are used in the planning process:

Will – simple legal document expressing a person’s desired distribution of their assets

trust – fiduciary relationship in which one person (the trustee) is the holder of the title to property (the trust estate or trust corpus), subject to an equitable obligation to keep or use the property for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

advanced medical directive (living Will) – Legal document expressing an individual’s last wishes regarding life sustaining treatment

powers of attorney – Legal document that authorizes an agent to act on a person’s behalf

payable upon death designation (p.o.d.) – a bank account utilizing a beneficiary designation

transferable upon death (t.o.d.) – an investment account utilizing a beneficiary designation

There is no cost or obligation for using the Margaret Hudson Program planning services provided by The Advancement Group. If you would like to learn more about these tools and how to get your plan completed, please contact the Margaret Hudson Program at 918-833-9890. This complimentary service is our way of strengthening our partnership with you.

Getting Your “Financial” House in Order

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Tulsa Campus: 1136 S. Allegheny Ave., Tulsa OK 74112 • 918-833-9860 • 918-833-9875 Fax Broken Arrow Campus: 751 W. Knoxville St., Broken Arrow, OK 74012 • 918-251-2647 • 918-251-2661 Fax

www.margarethudson.org • www.facebook.com/MargaretHudsonProgram • [email protected]

thank you donors!Aaron’sAnonymousFirst United Methodist ChurchT.D. WilliamsonThe Anne & Henry Zarrow Foundation

thank you in-kind donors!Ann’s BakeryBecca’s Closet Bethany Church of Broken ArrowBroken Arrow Parent Teacher Student AssociationBroken Arrow Public Schools Charlie’s Chicken First United Methodist Church Jimmy John’s Gourmet SandwichesMerritt’s BakeryOlive GardenPanera – Broken ArrowPanera – Cherry StreetSand Springs United Methodist ChurchSpaghetti WarehouseTulsa Career Point Cosmetology StudentsUncle Vinny’sZio’s Italian Kitchen

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