This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Actress Shanaya Fastje to be Honored at Book Awards

TOLUCA LAKE, Calif. – Teenage actress/author and local resident Shanaya Fastje, known for her best-selling book "Bully in the Mirror," will be honored at the Latino Book Awards in Las Vegas on June 28.
 
“I’m very honored and thrilled to participate in this wonderful event,” Shanaya stated, “Every day, hundreds of kids in this country are bullied and mistreated by other kids and I hope that by raising awareness, we can help end bullying and its impact on children and their families.”

The 15-year-old actress, who is known for her work in such TV series as “Hit Me Up!” “The Jeff  Probst Show," and others, is also an award-winning author with a number of books, including the highly acclaimed “Bully in the Mirror” which offers teens, teachers, parents and schools a comprehensive program aimed at effectively combating bullying.

“It’s been very gratifying to be honored for my book and be able to reach out to so many kids and teach that they too have the power overcome bullying.”

With her impassioned public speaking against bullying, Shanaya often deals with issues of low self esteem and the problems that can come with it for teens. Despite her youth, she has become a highly-sought public speaker and won many awards and much acclaim for her efforts.

The International Latino Book Awards, is presented by Latino Literacy Now in partnership with Las Comadres Para Las Americas and REFORMA as well as the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos. Already an accomplished actress and author, Shanaya is also taking the music world by storm with the release of four new songs this year, including the recently-released hit “Few Years,” on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/shanaya-fastje/id544196409).
 
A gifted singer and songwriter, Shanaya has teamed with top music industry producers and musicians to create her own brand of music that mixes pop, rock, rhythm, folk and country into a sound that is uniquely her own. Her new songs include “Toxic,” “Fight Who Stays,” and “Dreaming Lucidly,” available now on iTunes.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from North Hollywood-Toluca Lake