2009 Empowering Kids at the Holidays Saturday, December 5, 2009    It is imperative that children know that their opinions matter and that they have something positive to offer to others. They must take an active role in their own education. Empowering Kids at the Holidays is designed to challenge third grade students to take a close look at who they are and to visualize how they fit into the world around them. It also empowers them to explore how they could possibly make positive changes for themselves and others around them. A group of economically challenged third graders in Collin County were offered the opportunity to participate in Empowering Kids at the Holidays.  To participate, the students had to write an essay describing how they see themselves in the world and what they plan to do to change the world in the future.  A panel of judges read the essays and selected 10 that best represented these skills: critical thinking, literacy, creativity and self-esteem. All children who turned in an essay earned the right to shop for their immediate families for the holidays.  The top 10 essay writers each receive a $100 savings bond.  Two of the essays have been selected for publishing in North Texas Kids.   America's Attik wants to thank Junior League of Plano, North Texas Kids, Colonial Bank, Take Time to Travel and Tour, Dr Laura Shwaluk of Body and Soul Chiropractic and Plano SuperBowl for  their support of this event.  Many individuals and companies contributed to this event and we want  them all to know how much we appreciate their help. Our goal is to make Empowering Kids at the Holidays an annual event for third grade students and to add new schools and children each year.  We expect to expand this event into Allen, Wylie and Frisco in 2010.