Year 4 of the ABC Wilton Life Skills Program kicks off – 26 September 2016

At A Better Chance of Wilton (ABC), the mission is to teach our Wilton Scholars to succeed in today’s complex world by acquiring a better education and the work ethic to support it. A few years ago, we set out a plan to augment the amazing education the scholars get at Wilton High school by teaching common sense topics and capabilities we teach our children at home. We incorporated the Life Skills Program into the scholar curriculum so when students graduate they are better prepared for the college experience and life’s adult challenges. Each Life Skills topic is organized into an interactive workshop setting and delivered by subject matter experts. Topics may be considered “dry” but thanks to the creativity of our volunteers, the energy and effort in which the topics were delivered made all the difference in engaging the ABC students.

As we embark on the 2016-2017 ABC program, we would like to pause, and formally recognize each workshop’s leader from last year’s Life Skills program and provide a huge “Thank You” for the thoughtfulness and energy each brought to the sessions. We are grateful for some very special members of our Wilton community and a few from New York for sharing their special talents with our scholars. The influence of these leaders on the development of our scholars outside the classroom is simply tremendous.

Other contributors to our unique Life Skills Program include: CT Coffee – Jim Shilleh, Joy Ride Wilton, Bowlmor NY – Brett Parker, The Wilton Deli , Wilton Pizza, Marley’s – Mike LeBeau, Bolton Landscaping – Jeff Lapnow, Bow Tie Theatres – Robin Fields, The Wilton Historical Society, The Wilton Library, and the Wilton Congregational Church.

Footnote: For the second straight year, we have held a year-long cooking contest between the Boy Scholars and the Girl Scholars. After each Life Skill Session, either the girls or boys prepare, cook, serve and provide hospitality for the other house scholars. This is another critical Life Skill our program teaches each ABC Scholar. Each event is scored based on the quality, manners, and hospitality of each house and totaled for the year. The SchoolHouse Champion for the school year 2015-2016 – The Girl Scholars. The award is presented to the scholars each year by Tim LeBlant.