Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Youths asked what 'compassion' means

Governor announces opportunities for young Idahoans to join Dalai Lama


By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

Gov. Dirk Kempthorne announced Monday two opportunities to recognize the compassionate hearts of young Idahoans.

Either through essays they've written or through nominations by adults, Idahoans ages 11 through 18 can earn an opportunity to join His Holiness the Dalai Lama on stage Monday, Sept. 12, when the spiritual leader delivers an address to Idaho youths in Hailey.

In addition, a children's choir from Opera Idaho will sing prior to the address, followed by a documentary on compassion made by Boise State University students.

The governor has invited young Idahoans ages 11 to 18 to tell the world what "compassion" means to them through a 500- to 700-word essay. Selected essay writers may be asked to share their essay before His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama will also bestow a special blessing on the youth during his Sept. 12 address at Wood River High School, called "Laying the Foundation of the Future: A Special Address to the Children of Idaho."

The address to youths from Idaho will follow a special address to 10,000 people on Sept. 11, the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. That event—restricted to people holding free tickets allocated in July—will also be at the high school.

Inspiration for the essay should be uncommon examples of compassion and caring, and demonstrations of why unselfish contributions to society deserve attention and recognition, Kempthorne said.

Separately, adults are invited to nominate young Idahoans they know ages 11 to 18 who exemplify compassion and caring, and whose unselfish contributions to society deserve recognition. A documentary highlighting selected nominees will be produced by Boise State University Filmmakers and shown during the Sept. 12 event.

"Tell us about a young person who best personifies compassion, integrity, and caring, and who is a worthy role model for others," Kempthorne said.

For more information about essay requirements or the nomination process, go to www.gccfc.idaho.gov.

Tickets for the address by the Dalai Lama, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Wood River High School stadium on Monday, Sept. 12, will be available to all Idaho youths in grades six to 12 on Aug. 27. The tickets are for transportation via bus and a box dinner for the return trip. Travel voucher tickets purchased at Select-a-Seat will be exchanged for a ticket to the event at the embarkation stations in Twin Falls, Pocatello, Idaho Falls and Boise.

In order to minimize the traffic issues in and around Hailey and on state Highway 75, a bus-in and bus-out system is being implemented through these travel vouchers.

Tickets for Blaine County youth to the event are being distributed through local means involving public and private schools in the county.

Information about the travel vouchers can be found at www.gccfc.idaho.gov. Information about His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to Sun Valley can be found at www.hhdlvisitssv.com.




 Local Weather 
Search archives:


Copyright © 2024 Express Publishing Inc.   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy
All Rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Express Publishing Inc. is prohibited. 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.