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Youth Leadership Educators Testimonials

I have known Madonna since 2002. She has always been an absolute professional as a teacher at Bremerton High School. She served as the Fashion Marketing teacher there and did a great job. Her students put on a top-notch fashion show every year that showed how much they learned in her class. Her class led the school in a Dare Not to Swear marketing campaign to help reduce profanity at BHS. It was an effective project that taught the students real world experience. As the DECA advisor I worked with Madonna and her DECA teams. She did an excellent job of preparing her teams to compete at DECA. She led two teams to Nationals. Since retirement she has supported DECA monetarily and as a judge. Madonna has continued to work hard to inspire others to be their best version of themselves.

I have known and worked with Madonna Hanna for nearly 30 years. She has been a valued guest speaker in my business classes…an educator with an innate focus on preparing young people for both the realities and possibilities of adult life.

Madonna was instrumental in guiding my students toward Victory-3rd Place for 1st time participants in the National Health Occupation Students Of America Competition (HOSA), granting them invaluable presentation training, wardrobe advice, and professional insight.

Madonna’s sphere influence spans beyond business and education, having recently spilled into fitness where she inspires other seniors to live well and redefine growing older. Madonna is a one of kind innovator, a trailblazing executive spirit, and an individual that is worthy of my highest recommendation.

I am writing in support of Ms. Madonna Hanna. I worked with Madonna for eight years at Bremerton High School in Bremerton, Washington. Madonna always was very creative in the assignments she gave her students to complete, and was meticulous in holding them responsible for completing each detail of the work they were to finish.
Madonna also was responsible for coordinating The BHS “Dare Not To Swear! SkillsUSA Community Service Projects which was very successful at the National SkillsUSA Conference placed 7th.

The “Dare Not to Swear” project was especially impressive as it attempted to hold students accountable for their language. It ultimately became a part of the school culture and helped improve the environment of BHS.
I am especially grateful for Madonna’s willingness to step in and help when there is a need. I had to be out of school for my second bout with cancer and Madonna stepped in and became the advisor of the SkillsUSA Chapter and even traveled for a week during her summer break with the students to Kansas City Mo. so they could participate at the national level. She was an excellent person to work with.

“Madonna has a lot of energy in presenting her ideas. I learned a lot, even though I’ve years.”

“I was very impressed with Mrs. Hanna’s presentation. Her energy and enthusiasm is contagious. She has a variety of ‘best practices’ that she stressed in her presentation.”

Awesome presentation!” Full of good, practical ideas that will get students involved and committed to the DECA organizations and classes.

“Hanna is an exciting presenter and is passionate about her projects.”

“Most teachers never get to see what the work that their peers do; this changes that reality and opens up new ideas to consider.”

“These are great ideas supported by good material, great enthusiasm and sound advice.”

“Inspirational, helpful, a great idea builder.”

“The best presentation…she made me feel reenergized. Her creative ideas are infectious.”

“A+”

“I don’t have to adopt…information is tailor made for my needs…wish I could sit through again.”

Adminstrator’s Test.
Madonna Hanna is an incredibly positive presenter. She has inspired thousands of students over the years and developed several successful programs that have been adopted by high schools to improve their school culture.

She has been involved in SkillsUSA where she had students medal at a national competition.

Madonna’s personal messages and stories are inspiring about overcoming adversity, building community and her never quit mentality. I highly recommend Madonna Hanna as a Keynote speaker.

When the Corpus Christi Independent School District adopted an initiative to raise the level of civil behavior in our schools, we searched nationwide for resources to support this effort. Madonna Hanna rose to the top of a very short list of acknowledged leaders in work to increase civility, especially with the aspect of reducing profanity. Her enthusiasm for this work is unparalleled. Both survey data and anecdotes from our 60 campuses indicated that our “Delete Profanity: Ur the App for That” Campaign has clearly made a positive difference.

I am a dean at PEACE Academy in Brooklyn, New York. I have read about your Dare Not To Swear campaign in several publications…

I cannot thank you enough for having the creativity and inspiration to create such an important initiative. My school is currently on New York State’s “persistently dangerous” list, so we need all the help we can get to improve.

Thank you for your feedback, suggestions and inspiration. Our four week long anti-swearing campaign; was a great experiences. It was fun to see classes bond together for a common goal. Our rate of cursing and name-calling definitely decreased…Here’s hoping the bad habit has been broken for most of our students.

I wanted to reach out and let you know that I deeply appreciate the work you are doing for young people. School climate and culture greatly impact academic success…
Best regards,

Madonna Hanna is one of the finest, most inspirational educators with whom I have ever worked. Through opportunities to serve on a Washington State Education Board with her, to following the success and impact she had as a Career and Technical teacher, DECA and SkillsUSA Community Service coordinator at Bremerton High School, to watching her present at conferences, I have seen her passion and indelible commitment to excellence. Her influence on fellow educators and the young people we serve is incredible and immense.

Educator’s Testimonials for stop bullying assemblies

“High energy-relevant-sincere –applicable to teens.”

…I attended the Stop-bullying assembly at West Hills STEM featuring Madonna as the motivational speaker. I just wanted you to know how wonderful it was to watch her reel in those students to hear a fantastic message. It began a little rough as you well know how middle school students can be…but she just has a real gift to reach an audience. By the end of the assembly, several students were sharing their fight against being bullied. Madonna spoke up the bell as the students were so engaged and wanted to share. She had a literal cluster of kids around her after the bell that stayed up to a half hour talking with her. It was awesome and inspiring to watch.

I also want to comment on the teachers who were there. They were so on top of those students moving those who needed to be re-focused on the message and not letting anyone get away with being disrespectful.”

“In my sixth period class I had several students comment on how inspirational Madonna’s stop bullying
speech was. Two boys asked me if they could talk to me privately about bullying situations. And, one boy, asked if he could speak to the class…not about bullying personally…he just wanted to reinforce how much your speech meant to him and he wanted to make sure the others came away inspired. I saw the one girl I hoped would benefit on the way back to class. She was crying about having to go into a sixth.”

“Madonna’s speech was amazing! And I don’t have to ask students because I watched and listened to their response while she was giving it. I’ve been teaching speech too long to not recognize excellence. Anyone who can make a large crowd (of teenagers, no less) quiet and listen… 2-3 min. into Madonna’s story, and everyone was silent and engaged. Her message and delivery were powerful, and in the Ms. Hanna style that is uniquely your own.
I’d say she knocked it out of the park”.

Student testimonials about Madonna’s Stop Bullying Assemblies:

“You honestly have made such an impact on not only me but every girl in our junior high school to think twice before we judge. Your message will always be with me and will always help us remember that all of us are equal no matter our height, weight, or skin color. You also have so much charisma and you are absolutely amazing! Drop Kick The Drama!:)

“…You inspired me to be who I am and who I want to be! Your story was so amazing! I appreciate you as a person… I would love you to come back soon! Thank you so much.”

“…Before coming to Cascade I was at a school where I wasn’t welcomed or ‘Popular’ and was made fun of for my looks and the clothes I wore. And if I had the message you had given to me today It would have saved myself from a lot of hurt. So thank you and I know you have saved a lot of younger girls from hurt and pain.”

“…You are so much of an inspiration! I was a target and was cyber bullied. Hearing you speak was so inspiring. It really motivates me to be more courageous. Thank you for sharing your story.”

“Thank you for coming to talk to us for chapel. I think it is good for us to talk about bullying and how we can help prevent it and how to keep our heads held high.”

“ Thank you…for giving me confidence to stand up when I see bullying and not be afraid to ask for help if I am being bullied.”

The community at large

I have known Madonna Hanna for many years and have had the fortune of being able to take advantage of her wealth of knowledge and skills. She has a skill set that is unique and valuable. I am specifically speaking of her marketing, civility coaching, teaching, public speaking skills and professionalism and insight.

She has as well been a business coach for my company and for that we have benefited greatly.

“ I have had the opportunity and privilege of working with Ms. Madonna Hanna on several occasions. She was the guest speaker at Bremerton High School’s 2012 Baccalaureate. Her talk to the students and parents received an ovation from the inspired audience. She was warm, engaging and transparent with her audience.

My second time to hear Ms. Hanna was at the Bremerton High School’s 2012 graduation ceremony. She delivered an amazing and memorable commencement speech. Of the over 75 graduation ceremonies I have attended or participated in from high school to graduate schools and the highest level military graduations, her delivery was a NUMBER ONE performance! The tone, quality and deliver of her message held the audience spellbound; her words were not only motivational but indeed inspirational. Her speech was the conversation of the Bremerton Community for next two weeks.

It is an honor and privilege to both know Hanna and work with her— She is indeed an exceptional and inspiring motivational speaker.
One of the very best!!”

“You did a fantastic job of conveying information that is so needed for our youth today. You did it in a way that your audience could relate to and then leave with meaningful strategies they could incorporate at school, home or in their community. Thank you for encouraging and motivating the youth of Eastside Baptist Church! “

First, thanks for allowing God to use you in that setting! Your delivery was superb, informative and educational. It was evident of your knowledge of the topic,
“Don’t Dumb Down Smarten Up!” Your presentation set the stage for Marcus to present his information, with clarity and understanding. Thanks for the great job! We look forward to working with you in the future and the slogan…
“Don’t Dumb Down Smarten Up” is a topic that Eastside youth will always remember!

Praise God for your faithfulness,

“This is a testimony to all of the many strengths, talents and innumerable volunteer hours that Madonna Hanna she has shared with me over the years. I met Madonna more than twenty years ago. Her grace and generosity are truly admirable and she is always there whenever someone needs her. As a fashion marketing instructor for Bremerton High School, Bremerton, Washington. Madonna produced, directed and emceed a yearly fashion show that paired her class with special education students. This created an amazing learning and bonding experience for all involved. It was an honor for me to be part of these shows and watch firsthand her wonderful skills on full display. Madonna won several awards and media attention for her exciting and inclusive fashion shows.

In 1996, I won the title of Ms. Wheelchair America 1997. Because there was no Washington State Pageant, I agreed to start a program if I entered as an independent delegate. Madonna has gone out of her way to help me make sure the Ms. Wheelchair Washington Pageant was successful by generously donating her time and talents to the program and contestants.

Currently, I work for the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment. Every year we host the Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) which is a weeklong summer camp for high school students with disabilities. In 2019, Madonna again donated her time to teach two workshops for YLF: Dining Etiquette and Dress for Success. The students were immediately engaged in her presentations and gave her very high marks on their evaluations. She makes her workshops fun and interactive.

Most recently, Madonna assisted a generation x woman with her job interview skills. This included how to dress, effectively answer questions, and gain self poise and confidence. She asked me to be part of a mock interview and we worked together as a team to develop questions and help her protégé become the best person for the job. Happily, she got the next job she applied and interviewed for!

Madonna is also an accomplished public speaker and has won many competitions and awards with Toastmasters International. Further, she is an active athlete with the Washington State Senior Games and National Senior Games and a devoted member of her church. Madonna Hanna is unstoppable and my personal hero!”

“Madonna Hanna is a consummate professional in all that she does. I have had the opportunity to work with her via interviews on my daily radio show and also while participating in working environments with young adults. Her communication skills, integrity, sincerity and strong work ethic permeate all she participates in. I would highly recommend Madonna as a working associate and speaker if you or anyone you know would like to have her as part of a team. Her program, ‘Dare to Swear’ is an outstanding success and should be in every school system that wants to create positive change for their students.
If you would like to contact me for further information please feel free to do so.”
Respectfully,

"It is a rare pleasure to hear a true storyteller, Madonna. You are one. I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation, and look forward to hearing how your training for next year’s National Senior Games goes.”