On WIN Without Competing! Dr. Arlene will interview 18 year-old Shayna Turk, chosen from 4,300 candidates across the country, as Young Entrepreneur of the Year by The National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation. Along with this honor which she received in Washington, D.C., Turk was awarded a $10,000 educational scholarship from VISA to attend USC.
At age 11, Turk became an entrepreneur. She founded the drama camp, Shayna Turk’s Academy of Rising Stars (STARS), to give kids a chance to star in musicals, which she directs, choreographs and markets. Turk has a natural affinity for the theatre. At age five, she began her acting career and performed in twenty-seven musicals.
Turk has more than 30 campers in STARS who not only learn wonderful theatre skills but also self-confidence. Turk consciously works on teaching both.
Turk is much more than a successful young entrepreneur. She is a humanitarian. From her theatrical productions she raised $15,000, which she donated to the Music for Heart Foundation. This money saved the lives of six children who had surgery for congenital heart defects.
Join Dr. Arlene as she uncovers why Turk made two medical missions to El Salvador to pursue her humanitarian efforts.
RISING STARS—Above, students sing their hearts out in "The Sound of Music," the most recent show produced by Shayna Turk’s Academy of Rising Stars. Proceeds from ticket sales benefitted Music for Heart, a group that funds surgery for impoverished children with congenital heart disease. Below, Shayna, who started the drama camp as an informal summer pastime when she was just 11 years old, introduces the players. Shayna is headed for USC this fall, but says she will continue the Rising Stars drama camp next summer.
New Community Jewish High School 2010 graduate Shayna Turk was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by The National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation, with a scholarship sponsored by VISA.
Turk founded Shayna Turks Academy of Rising Stars (STARS) (dramastars.com/) when she was 11, to give kids a chance to star in musical theater shows, which Turk directs, choreographs and markets. Turk, who has been acting since she was 5, started with eight campers and now has more than 30. More than 100 people usually attend each of the four shows for her productions. She also runs an afterschool program during the year.
All of the proceeds from STARS’ shows — this summer’s “The Sound of Music” is its 10th production — support the Music for Heart Foundation, an organization founded by the family of one of Turk’s campers who had life-saving surgery for a congenital heart defect. The foundation, an affiliate of Gift of Life International, pays for heart surgeries in struggling countries and works on developing sustainable pediatric cardio-thoracic surgical programs. The $10,000 Turk has donated to Music for Heart has saved the lives of six children.
Turk was chosen by the Young Entrepreneur Foundation from 4,300 candidates across the country, and will receive a $10,000 educational scholarship to attend USC.
“Starting and running a business definitely has its challenges, but the rewards make it worth it, especially since I feel that I have been able to have a positive impact on the lives of young people, especially those in need,” Turk said at a June ceremony in Washington, D.C.
For her work in helping to inspire the next generation of actors, Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills has been named the 2010 Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation and Visa Inc.
Shayna was chosen from more than 4,300 nationwide candidates. She was awarded a $10,000 scholarship to help defray the cost of her tuition at USC.
Four additional students were named National Young Entrepreneur Award winners and will each receive a $5,000 educational scholarship. All five winners were honored at a luncheon on June 24 in Washington, D.C.
“This year’s applicants demonstrate that entrepreneurial curiosity is thriving in high schools across America,” said Terry LaPier, chair of the Young Entrepreneur Foundation board of directors. “Our goal is that these scholarships will help young people gain the confidence required to run their own enterprises that create jobs and give back to our communities.”
Shayna is the teenage director and founder of Shayna Turk’s Academy of Rising Stars, a musical theater camp which she started at age 11. The camp gives children, regardless of talent level, a chance to experience stage performing.
Acting since she was 5 years old, her inspiration for the camp grew after seeing younger children in her community get turned down for starring roles in local performances because of their age. Shayna markets, produces, directs, choreographs and stages all of the shows put on by her camp. She has produced nine different musicals in six years.
Starting with eight kids, STARS now has more than 30 campers annually. Each camp puts on four performances of each show, with approximately 100 people in attendance per show. Shayna also offers a one day a week and one weekend day enrichment program during the school year.
All proceeds from her camp’s performances are donated to Music for Heart, a charity founded by the parents of one of her campers born with a congenital heart disease.
Music for Heart raises funds for children who suffer from congenital heart disease, and the funds go toward sponsoring cardio-thoracic medical missions to Third World countries where cardiac care is unavailable.
To date, STARS has raised $10,000 for Music for Heart, which has helped save the lives of six children.
The Young Entrepreneur of the Year award is given annually to the top applicant in the Young Entrepreneur Awards program, sponsored by the Young Entrepreneur Foundation. To earn a scholarship, students were asked to demonstrate their entrepreneurial achievement by answering a questionnaire defining their efforts. Standardized test scores, GPA and class rank were also taken into consideration.
The Young Entrepreneur Foundation is a nonprofit organization promoting the importance of small business and free enterprise to the nation’s youth.
Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills has been named the 2010 “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” by the National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation and Visa Inc.
By Danielle Jacoby | June 25, 2010
For Shayna Turk, drama is everything.
The recent graduate of New Community Jewish High School was named 2010 "Young Entrepreneur of the Year" by the National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation and Visa Inc. at a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. on Thursday for her work in helping to inspire the next generation of stage actors.
"It is such a great feeling," she said, following the event. "One out of 4,300 [nationwide candidates] is great."
Shayna Turk graduated from New Community Jewish High School earlier this month.
Turk, who has been acting since she was 5 years old, is the teenage director and founder of Shayna Turk's Academy of Rising Stars, a musical theater camp which she started at age 11. The camp gives children, regardless of talent level, a chance to experience the thrill and excitement of stage performing.
Turk's inspiration for the camp, she said, came from watching her older sister get turned down for starring roles in local performances because of her age.
"I had an idea to get her and a couple of her friends together to perform a play," she said. "It was such a success, that it expanded, and I decided to keep it going."
Starting with just eight kids, Turk's Academy now has over 30 campers annually. The performances take place at her grandparents' pavilion in Hidden Hills. To date, Turk has produced nine different musicals over a six-year period.
All proceeds from her camp's performances are donated to Music for Heart, a charity founded by the parents of one of her campers born with a congenital heart disease. The camp has raised $10,000 for Music for Heart, which in turn has helped save the lives of six children, Turk said.
"Shayna's dedication to her theater camp and helping others is remarkable," announced Terry LaPier, chair of NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation Board of Directors.
The NFIB/Visa Inc. "Young Entrepreneur of the Year" award is given annually to the top applicant in the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards program.
"Our goal is that these scholarships will help young people gain the confidence required to run their own enterprises that create jobs and give back to our communities," said LaPier.
To earn a scholarship, students were asked to demonstrate their entrepreneurial achievement by answering a short, personal questionnaire defining their efforts. Standardized test scores, GPA and class rank were also taken into consideration.
Turk, who allegedly stumbled across the application online with her mother, was awarded a $10,000 educational scholarship to help defray the cost of tuition at the University of Southern California—where Turk will be attending next fall.
"I am honestly not sure at all," Turk said of her chosen area of studies. She is currently undeclared. "Theatre, business, medicine—who knows."
She may be off to USC in the fall, but for now, camp is everything for Turk.
"I missed two days of camp to get this," she said, waiting for her airplane to take off in D.C. "I am coming home as fast as I can."
WASHINGTON, June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For her work in helping to inspire the next generation of stage actors, Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills, California has been named the 2010 "Young Entrepreneur of the Year" by the National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation and Visa Inc. Ms. Turk was chosen for this top honor from more than 4,300 nationwide candidates. In recognition of her achievements, Ms. Turk has been awarded a $10,000 educational scholarship to help defray the cost of her tuition at the University of Southern California.
Four additional students were named NFIB/Visa Inc. National Young Entrepreneur Award winners and will each receive a $5,000 educational scholarship. All five winners are being honored today at a special luncheon held at NFIB in Washington, D.C.
"This year's applicants demonstrate that entrepreneurial curiosity is thriving in high schools across America," said Terry LaPier, chair, NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation Board of Directors. "Shayna's dedication to her theater camp and helping others is remarkable. We are pleased to congratulate Shayna and all of this year's outstanding young entrepreneurs. Our goal is that these scholarships will help young people gain the confidence required to run their own enterprises that create jobs and give back to our communities. We wish all of this year's winners the best of luck as they continue on their paths towards successful futures."
Shayna is the teenage director and founder of Shayna Turk's Academy of Rising Stars (STARS)
(www.dramastars.com), a musical theater camp which she started at age 11. The camp gives children, regardless of talent level, a chance to experience the thrill and excitement of stage performing. Acting since she was five years old, her inspiration for the camp grew after seeing younger children in her community get turned down for starring roles in local performances because of their age. Ms. Turk markets, produces, directs, choreographs and stages all of the shows put on by her camp. To date, she has produced nine different musicals over a six year period. Starting with just eight kids, STARS now has over 30 campers annually. Each camp puts on four performances of each show with approximately 100 people in attendance per show. Shayna also offers a one day a week and one weekend day enrichment program on a limited basis during the school year.
In addition to helping aspiring stage performers, STARS is also helping children in another way. All proceeds from her camp's performances are donated to Music for Heart, a charity founded by the parents of one of her campers born with a congenital heart disease. Music for Heart raises funds for children who suffer from congenital heart disease, and the funds go toward sponsoring cardio-thoracic medical missions to third world countries where cardiac care is unavailable.
To date, STARS has raised $10,000 for Music for Heart, which in turn has helped save the lives of six children.
"Small business owners are the backbone of our economy and Shayna and all of this year's National Young Entrepreneur Award winners should be proud, not only for their entrepreneurial achievements, but for the important contributions they are making to the economy," said Raghav Lal, Head of Global Small Business Products, Visa Inc. "We are proud of our longstanding and continued partnership with NFIB, a partnership that is helping to give both entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs the tools, resources and encouragement necessary to succeed."
Visa's sponsorship of the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards program is part of its comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility program, which focuses on bringing more people into the formal financial system through Visa's payments expertise, historic commitment to financial literacy and focused philanthropic efforts. As part of these efforts, Visa supports the important role that entrepreneurs play in creating opportunities for others while helping communities achieve greater prosperity and self-sufficiency.
"Starting and running a business definitely has its challenges, but the rewards make it worth it, especially since I feel that I have been able to have a positive impact on the lives of young people, especially those in need," said Ms. Turk. "I want to thank both NFIB and Visa for recognizing my achievements. It is truly an honor," Turk added.
The NFIB/Visa Inc. "Young Entrepreneur of the Year" award is given annually to the top applicant in the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards program, sponsored by NFIB's Young Entrepreneur Foundation. To earn a scholarship, students were asked to demonstrate their entrepreneurial achievement by answering a short, personal questionnaire defining their efforts. Standardized test scores, GPA and class rank were also taken into consideration.
SHOOBY DO WOP—Children ages 5 to 12 perform in the summer production of "Grease," produced by 17-year-old Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills. The show benefited Music For Heart, funding surgeries for children with heart disease living in impoverished countries.
Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills recently directed 27 children in the musical "Grease," which closed July 19 at the Hidden Hills home theater of Shayna's grandparents, Jerry and Erica Miller. The teenager raised enough money to save a child with congenital heart disease.
Shayna, 17, has been producing musicals since she was 10 years old. For the past three years she has donated the proceeds from ticket sales to Music For Heart, a nonprofit foundation formed by Brenda and Craig Small of Agoura Hills that helps children with congenital heart disease in impoverished countries receive proper medical treatment and lifesaving surgeries.
Shayna's past efforts raised enough money to save three children, and this year's ticket sales generated $2,600, $100 more than is needed to pay for heart surgery in El Salvador.
Shayna Turk
"This is the third year in a row that Shayna has donated ticket proceeds to Music for Heart," Brenda Small said. "She actually is going to come with us on a mission in September to El Salvador. After this show four lives will have been saved."
The six-week drama camp gives children ages 5 to 12 the opportunity to perform. They sing, dance and deliver their lines with gusto due to Shayna's connection with the kids.
Zack Barrett, a 12-year-old who will attend Medea Creek Middle School next year and has participated in three of Turk's seven summer musicals, played Kenickie in two of the four performances of "Grease."
"I liked doing all the dances and singing and all the games that we play," Zack said. "We play acting games to help learn our lines. Shayna just makes . . . it fun."
The camp, which Shayna runs from her Agoura Hills home, culminates in four shows.
On opening night, the show abruptly ended when a cable broke, causing a power outage and threatening to set the house on fire. Workers toiled through the night to fix the cable, and the show was back on for the remaining weekend performances.
"With the biggest group we've had, it was the biggest success," Shayna said. "Each night got better as it progressed."
Shayna is already planning next year's productions. She plans on staging two shows instead of one to raise more money for the charity. At the end of this year's production of "Grease," she announced that next year's musicals will be "Mama Mia" and "Bye Bye Birdie."
For more information, visit www.dramastars.com or e-mail dramastars@gmail.com.
“I have a perfectly healthy heart,” says 16-year-old Shayna Turk. In
fact, some would say her heart’s in better shape than most.
Shayna was in fifth grade when a family friend, Brenda
Small, had a daughter born with congenital heart disease. Shayna
spent time helping out at the family’s home after the little girl’s
corrective open-heart surgery. And when Small founded the
nonprofit organization Music for Heart (www.musicforheart.org)
to fund children’s heart surgeries around the world, Turk wanted
to get involved.
A stage lover who’s been in more than two-dozen plays, Shayna
was 10 years old when she launched a theatrical summer camp
out of her Agoura Hills home. For six years, she’s been directing
neighborhood kids in musical productions—with ticket proceeds
going straight to Music for Heart.
“I start from square one and teach them their lines and practice
dance steps and teach them how to sing,” says the founder of
Shayna Turk’s Academy of Rising Stars. “We have rehearsals with
costumes and lights and we put on a show for the parents.”
The four-week camp has grown every year. Last summer there
were 33 campers and their play raised $3,300. “Over the years, I’ve
saved three kids’ lives,” Shayna says. “Knowing I did that makes
me feel really good about myself.”
She got to meet two of the children who benefited. “They
don’t speak English,” she says, “but the smiles on their faces—it’s
so thankful.”
Shayna is thankful, too. “Being associated with this organization
[has] made me see what a great life I’ve been blessed with,” she
says. “If I was born with congenital heart disease, I would want
the same, and I’m just glad I can help other people.” For more
information visit www.dramastars.com.
RAISING STARS—Far left, Shayna Turk, 16, has made an early career of training and inspiring young performers through her Rising Stars summer camp. Here the Agoura Hills teen takes a bow with the cast of "Hairspray" earlier this summer.
Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills has produced and directed seven musicals, performed in 23 shows and raised enough money to save the lives of several children suffering from congenital heart disease.
Shayna is 16 years old.
The teenager, who recently inspired 18 youngsters ages 5 to 12 to sing, dance and act in the musical "Hairspray," launched her first summer drama camp at the age of 10 with "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." What started out as a way to spend time with neighborhood children became a fullfledged passion that has grown with each summer production.
The musical "Hairspray," Shayna said, has been the "most fun" production so far. "Being with these certain kids, people helping me—everything about it was really good," she said.
The six week "camp," called "Shayna Turk's Academy of Rising Stars," is conducted at Shayna's parents' home in Agoura Hills, but the four performances are staged at her grandparents' home in Hidden Hills. Jerry and Erica Miller have a separate theater attached to their home, complete with a curtained stage, lighting and sound equipment, and theater seating. So far, Shayna has produced, directed and choreographed such shows as "The Wizard of Oz," "Annie," Grease" and "Little Shop of Horrors."
Brian Gallop, 11, who played the part of Edna Turnblad, mother of "Hairspray's" lead character Tracy Turnblad, said he's participated in the camp for three years and plans on performing again in next year's production of "Grease."
"It's, like, super awesome," Brian said of the camp.
Three sisters have been loyal drama campers for several years. Jaime Small, 12, portrayed Tracy Turnblad, her third time as the lead in a Rising Star production, she said.
"It was really fun," Jaime said. "(Shayna) is just an amazing person."
Kylie Small, 9, said her part as Amber Von Tussle has been her favorite character so far. Delaney Small, 6, played several roles, including Little Inez, Brenda, a "Dynamite" girl and Tammy.
Delaney was Shayna's inspiration to tie ticket sales to a charity. Craig and Brenda Small of Agoura Hills formed the Music for Heart foundation after Delaney was diagnosed with congenital heart disease as an infant. Delaney's heart was repaired with surgery when she was eight months old; at that time Brenda Small launched the charity to help defray the cost of corrective heart surgery for children living in countries where surgery was either not available or unaffordable.
"(Shayna) is truly a remarkable teenager, and she has touched my heart with her kindness and generosity," said Brenda Small.
This year Shayna raised more than $3,200 for the Music for Heart Foundation, nearly double the amount raised last summer, Small said.
Small said Shayna was upset that she hadn't met her fundraising goals of $5,000. "I very quickly reassured her that what she had accomplished was, indeed, remarkable," Small said. "Rotary International matches donations to Music For Heart, so not only did Shayna meet her goal, but exceeded it," she said.
Shayna said her early performing experiences played a part in her decision to run a kids' drama camp. "When I was younger I would never get as good a part as the older kids," she said. She was particularly bothered by the fact that exceptionally talented children would be passed over not because of a lack of talent but because of their youth.
Shayna's "rising stars" all get a chance at lead roles. Many children learned several parts and portrayed different characters on different nights, she said.
Although Shayna has performed with the Class Act Musical Theatre in Woodland Hills, she isn't sure whether life on Broadway will be her professional calling.
"I still like medical stuff," Shayna said. "I kind of want to be a doctor."
But running summer shows may be hard for Shayna to give up. "It's become such a big part of my life," she said. "It's what I look forward to—meeting the kids, getting them out of their shell and getting them on stage."
For information on next year's camp and production of "Grease," e-mail dramastars@gmail.com or visit www.dramastars.com.
DANNY FISCHER /Special to The Acorn ON STAGE- Agoura Hills teen Shayna Turk, far right, leads her cast in a number from a theater production of the hit Disney film "High School Musical." The Agoura Hills 15yearold directed the allyouth cast in the show to raise funds for Music for Heart, an Agoura Hills nonprofit that helps children with congenital heart disease.
Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills used her hobby to raise more than $1,700 for children with congenital heart disease. The 15-year-old, who enjoys acting and directing, led 24 local kids ages 5 to 11 in a theater production of Disney's hit film "High School Musical." Instead of selling tickets to the performances, held on August 2 and 3, Shayna asked audience members for $5 donations. Family and friends responded with a lot more.
"We were happy to support Shayna," said Lara Barrett of Oak Park, whose 10-year-old son Zach was in the show. "We were impressed that a kid would go out of her way to help make a difference."
Proceeds are going to Music for Heart, a local nonprofit organization that raises funds through an annual benefit concert. Money raised helps disadvantaged children with congenital heart disease in other countries obtain surgery.
The organization has personal meaning for Shayna.
The nonprofit was established by Shayna's longtime friends, the Small family of Agoura Hills.
The Smalls, including dad Craig, mom Brenda, and sisters Jaime, Kylie and Delaney, formed Music for Heart after Delaney was diagnosed with congenital heart disease as an infant. Now 5, Delaney had heart surgery at eight months old.
Shayna, who's known Delaney since the little girl's birth, babysat for her and her sisters. For her bat mitzvah project two years ago, Shayna raised $800 by selling rubber band bracelets imprinted with inspirational words.
Shayna and Delaney formed a bond early on, according to Brenda Small. Shayna's decision to make the show a fundraiser to support Delaney impressed the Smalls.
"For a 15yearold to do something like that is quite remarkable," Brenda Small said. "We were really touched."
As the youngest member of the "High School Musical" cast, Delaney, who was ill the first night of the show, did appear the second night in the role of Cyndra. Her sisters Jaime, 11, and Kylie, 8, were in the performances in various roles.
Shayna's siblings also participated in the all-kid production. Her sister Talia starred as Gabriella the first night; brother Andrew served as general manager, handling lighting and seating.
"Shayna's a great role model for other children," Brenda Small said.
Based on her own experience in the theater, Shayna decided to direct a show for young kids.
"When I was younger I always wanted to get a main part in shows, but they were always given to the older kids," Shayna said.
Acting since sixth grade and appearing in 18 shows, many with a theater company in the San Fernando Valley, Shayna said she loves theater because "you don't have to really be yourself."
"I like being onstage and being a different person. No one expects what you give them," Shayna said.
The money Shayna raised will help Music for Heart cover its expenses, including the $5,000 per patient fee paid to hospitals and doctors who volunteer their services for the program, travel expenses for patients and training for medical professionals in El Salvador to perform lifesaving corrective heart surgery on children in their own country.
So far, Music for Heart has helped save the lives of 11 children from various countries.
Music for Heart's latest patient is Joselyne, a three-year-old from El Salvador with severe congenital heart disease who is expected to return to the United States for a second heart surgery.
Shayna hopes to continue to support a cause like Music for Heart. "It felt so good to make a difference in this girl's life," Shayna said. "I would like to do this again."
LOCAL TEEN HELPS SAVE THE LIFE OF A CHILD WITH CHD
Remarkable teen says,
“It feels so good to
know that I made a
difference in this little
girl’s life”.
This past August, 15 year-old
Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills
combined her acting and directing
talents to lead a cast of local 5-11
year olds in an all kid production of
Disney’s big hit “High School
Musical”. Having been the Small’s
baby sitter, Shayna was well aware of
Delaney’s medical history and the
Small family’s commitment to
helping other children with
congenital heart disease. Admiring
their commitment, she decided to
make a difference as well and turn
the performances of her show into a
fundraiser for the Delaney Kate
Honorary Heart Fund. Instead of
having set ticket prices for admission
to the shows, Shayna made a plea to
her audience for donations.
The results? She raised more
than $1700 in two nights!!
After hearing the story of a little
girl the foundation was currently
helping, Shayna requested that her
funds be designated to help bring 3
year old Joselyne Hidalgo back to the
USA from El Salvador for her second
surgery in 2008. During this time,
Shayna, an incredible teenage role
model, will have the opportunity to
meet the child whose life she helped
save.
Thank-you, Shayna, for helping us save the life of this precious child. Your generous act of selflessness is exemplary and greatly appreciated.
For her work in helping to inspire the next generation of actors, Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills has been named the 2010 Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation and Visa Inc.
“I have a perfectly healthy heart,” says 16-year-old Shayna Turk. In
fact, some would say her heart’s in better shape than most.
This past August, 15 year-old
Shayna Turk of Agoura Hills
combined her acting and directing
talents to lead a cast of local 5-11
year olds in an all kid production of
Disney’s big hit “High School
Musical”. Having been the Small’s
baby sitter, Shayna was well aware of
Delaney’s medical history and the
Small family’s commitment to
helping other children with
congenital heart disease. Admiring
their commitment, she decided to
make a difference as well and turn
the performances of her show into a
fundraiser for the Delaney Kate
Honorary Heart Fund. Instead of
having set ticket prices for admission
to the shows, Shayna made a plea to
her audience for donations.
The results? She raised more
than $1700 in two nights!!
