Model Citizens and Patriotism.

I pledge...

Today’s tweens and teens identify with only those who are smart enough to speak their language.  How did God come into this…  ?

Let me begin by saying that Model Citizens are hard to come by, let’s look at our record and a bit of history… we’ve had the hippies (60s) who revolted… Disco dancing queens (70s) who did a lot of dancing… The me, me, me, all about me (80s) who ended up in a lot of rehabs…  Then came the dot-comers’ quick-money-boomers (90s) who sunk shortly afterward…. And now, here comes our current millennial’s or maybe you know them as the, “Hipsters”…  They are citizens, they are the ones who care about fashion and literature and serve you coffee; yes fashion is important, I love fashion.  Literature important, absolutely, read, read, read.

Freedom!

The way I see it: A model citizen takes action and participates in life, engaging in activities to create a better, a more stable world.  Today’s older millennials, I’m not quite sure about… do they engage and live in a solution, look to help others, or are they waiting to be handed that solution without working for it?  I just don’t know…

The Model Citizen workshop that was held this past weekend was amazing.  Our discussion opened with the topic of American Freedom, This was the first question:  “What liberties as an American Citizen do you hold that other kids in other countries may not have?”

Quickly a student’s hand shot up, she blurted out, “I have the freedom to wear what I want!”

(Simple enough answer, she is apart of today’s blossoming society of consumerism and she is totally involved with today’s culture.)  “Great answer.  What else?”  I asked.

“We have the freedom to believe in God.”

Choices!

Whoa, here again the magical moment that hits me in every session.  The wealth of knowledge and experience I gain from these youngsters amazes me each week.   My next question, “Do you all believe in the same God?”  All hands bolted up with smiles, unanimously, “Yes.”
“Do you all have the same God?”
Grumbles from all of them, as they looked to each other for the right answer but all blubbering their own.  “Maybe”.  “No”.  “I think so.”  “I don’t know?”

“Would you like to be forced to believe in the same God as someone in another country?  Or what about believing in your neighbor’s God?  Or what about believing in your best friend’s parents’ God?”

In unison, “NO.”

I continued, “As Model Citizens in America you have the choice, options, and a voice to believe in your own God, would you say that this is a good thing for you and others in America?”

“Yes.”  Unanimous answer again.  I love it.

“Living in America as a model citizen we have the right to a democratic society, what does that mean to you?”

“I don’t have to walk behind everyone”, “I can have an opinion”, “I have the right to tell you what I am thinking”.  “Oh and I know Ms. Lane, I know, I will have the right to Vote!”

Apple Pie Americana.

These are Model Citizens: it these kids who are in training to be More.  This wonderful generation of kids who were born between the years of 1990-present have a delightful attitude and an opportunity to do more and outgrow the current “hipsters” (those born between1980-1990 who debate over fashion and read the paper waiting for a job to drop out of the sky.)  This younger Millennial group of teens today in this workshop, are wanting more.  They want to be involved, they want answers they want a community.

As a kid coach and parent advisor I am constantly facing the challenges of creating more opportunities for these free spirited, “screen” driven individuals.  The workshops through More Than A Model, allows kids, tweens, and teens to grow effectively in today’s society while having fun!

This conversation about a God, was totally unexpected but seemingly necessary while creating a deeper understanding of our Personal Freedoms as American Citizens.  These kids understood by the end of our workshop how incredibly lucky they are as unique individuals here in the United States.  It’s these kids I hold faith in, they will create the difference in today’s world for a more productive, and happy tomorrow!

Be More, Be more than a mode… Become a Model Citizen!

Here are some model shots as a result of our Model Citizen Session!  These kids are True Model Citizens~

Freedom Flag!

Model Citizen!

I want YOU!

model citizen prep

More Than A Model and Lane Kennedy lend a hand with Teens for Safe Cosmetics

WOW, I have the opportunity to work with an awesome TEEN organization, “Teens for Safe Cosmetics” this weekend at Alice Summer Concert in Golden Gate Park.  One of the reasons I am so excited is that Erin Schrode, the founder of TFSC is only 17 years old and she is out there making a difference! Love that.

Working in the commercial, modeling, fashion industry will most likely bring you to many moments where you have to wear makeup.  The industry does not have a standard makeup company that they all work with.  The industry is full of makeup artist whom chose to work with products that they like for one reason or another, it could be the coverage, the color, maybe the texture of a product, it could even be price, it’s on sale…  Who knows, only the make up artist can explain his/her reasoning.  I have so often left a shoot with what seemed like a good product on my face only to have my face break out soon after the days work.  Yuck!

I started using better products on my face about five years ago, and lucky for me I don’t have to wear a lot of makeup, but I do use ALBA lip balms every day all day. (not on the clean list of Teen Safe cosmetics… BUT almost clean) I LOVE it.  Check them out.  Some people may shake their head and say well better products cost a lot more…  well yes they may but in the long run I want my skin to look young and fresh.  I save my money, I sacrifice that extra frozen yogurt once a week.
I’m worth it!

The Essential Face workshop that More Than A Model holds on a monthly basis covers all of kinds of information, while working with licensed skin care professionals.  Kids and teens learn about whole foods, nutrition, and skin care; the best thing is that we are on set while looking at all the ingredients…
Teens For Safe Cosmetics does a fabulous makeover session for teens which I am looking forward to being a part of this weekend.

As models, kids, teens, PEOPLE we don’t need to place chemicals or junk on our faces, we only have one face… WHO wants to have plastic surgery?  I mean really…  not only is it overly expensive, but what if there is a mistake… this is your face we are talking about…

enjoy your skin, take care of it.

Become MORE.  More Than A Model
Become a Model Citizen today.