A nationally recognized baker, a social media expert and a psychotherapist who trains blind horses were just a few of the emerging South Shore leaders selected as recipients of Stars’ 2013 40 Under 40 Awards, the non-profit child and youth development program announced.
First launched in 2010 to mark Stars’ 40th anniversary, the 40 Under 40 Awards recognize 40 emerging South Shore leaders under the age of 40 for their professional accomplishments, civic engagement and demonstrated leadership potential. This year’s recipients included such varied recipients as co-owners of a cheerleading training center, an entrepreneurial owner of an errand-running service, and a journalist.
“Once again, we were amazed to see the many ways that our 40 Under 40 Award recipients are succeeding professionally and making a difference in their communities,” Stars Executive Director Sheri Adlin said. “They are true role models and an inspiration for the South Shore children and youth served by our Stars’ programs.”
This year’s awards were presented at a gala tented reception held on September 27 at Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy. FOX25 Anchor Sorboni Banerjee, a Quincy resident, served as emcee for the award festivities. Stars provides comprehensive early education and youth programs that help children across the South Shore reach their full developmental potential. From Early Head Start and preschool to K-12 and summer camp programs, Stars works collaboratively with families to foster positive youth development.
Past Speaking Engagements Include:
Collaboratory 4.0
Creative Artists Agency
Harvard Dental School
Harvard Medical School
Junior Hollywood Radio & Television Society
Kenyatta International Conference Centre
Little People of America
Massachusetts Teachers Association Summer Conference
Providence College
Toastmasters
Weymouth Rotary Club
Writers Guild of America West
Bring Becky Curran to Speak at Your Next Event
Topics Include:
Anti-Bullying
Creating Possibilities
Disability Education
Dwarfism Awareness
Diversity
Inclusive Environments
Overcoming Obstacles
Vulnerability
"With the topic of bullying being such a prominent issue in our society, I feel that my story helps teach children to treat everyone with respect and teaches them an important lesson in accepting others with physical differences."
Becky Curran was named a 2013 Stars 40 Under 40.
Weymouth woman finds career helping others
HELPING OTHERS: Becky Curran of Weymouth knows what it’s like to be different. Standing 4 feet 1 inch, she’s faced many challenges, all of which have given her a purpose in life.
“My goal is to change people’s perceptions of what physically challenged people are capable of, while motivating everyone to set exceptional goals,” she said.
Born to average-size parents as an achondroplastic dwarf, Curran has been a motivational speaker since November 2012, coming home from California, where she worked for five years at Creative Artists Agency, and another year in the casting department of CBS. She returned home to pursue the goal of helping people who feel different feel good about themselves and find satisfaction and success.
For her efforts, she received a 2013 Stars 40 Under 40 Award from the Weymouth-based early education and youth development organization South Shore Stars for her work in helping others realize their potential. Her work as a motivational speaker has taken her the world over. In early December, she returned from Kenya, where she addressed an association of little people.