Monei and Lia are Superstars! – Summer 2015

Note from Richard Martin, Community Schools Program Manager of ABC National:

This summer Monei and Lia acted as Group Leaders for about 200 of our newly accepted A Better Chance Scholars at our East Coast Summer Orientation. If you take a look at the first photo, you’ll see the new Scholars in white shirts and our Group Leaders in blue shirts. In our second photo, a much closer shot, you’ll find Monei and Lia together in the back right.

Our orientation program goes three and a half days, but our Group Leaders arrive a day early to prep for the 200+ 8th graders that will show up the next day. During the orientation program, each young lady (along with 2 other Scholars or recent graduates) lead a group of about 25 new Scholars. In the role of Group Leader they were responsible for getting Scholars up in the morning, teaching curriculum, planning and presenting a 5-7 minute presentation/talent show for our entire group and much more (including an egg toss, vocabulary competition and sack races!). Everything that happens during the weekend is geared towards preparing our new Scholars for life in their new schools and we ask that our Group Leaders show them the way.

Both young ladies left a lasting impression on our staff and new Scholars. They both were standouts amongst their peers, who honestly were all very impressive as well. It was wonderful watching both of them quickly transition into the role of teacher, mentor, and friend to our young Scholars.

I really hope they found the experience enjoyable and I want to thank you for all the work you do with our Scholars. They truly represented your program well and you should be extremely proud.