Greetings YC Friends and Family!
We’ve been pushing through our latest cohort, and we’re seeing the warmer weather start to cool off. Growing season is starting to slow down and this morning there is a hint of the coming fall.
We are just past the halfway point in our latest cohort, and the Corpsmembers are now preparing to take the first sections of the HiSet Exam in a few weeks. They have been working hard in the classroom to master their subjects, and are building confidence toward their academic goals.
While they have been working, our Transition Team (TT) members have been working too. Transition Team members are in Stage Two of the NJ Youth Corps experience, getting some additional help on workplace readiness skills, academics, and leadership of the current cohort. We rely heavily on the TT members to set the example for our current members - showing them the ropes, and leading by example. It is a good way to develop leadership skills - and get some needed additional supports from the NJYC staff.
CorpsMember Spotlight - Sanaya H.
One TT member deserves the spotlight this week. Miss Sanaya H. - ‘Naya’ to everyone at the Corps. Naya started with the last cohort and completed the NJYC program successfully, but needed some additional assistance in mathematics - as she did not pass that section on her HSE exam. Admittedly frustrated she was not able to graduate and walk for her diploma in June, Naya picked herself up, and got right back to working on her goals of obtaining her diploma.
““I’m a lot wiser today than I was before I came to NJYC.””
Working with staff, Naya took opportunities when available to brush up on her math, and after a few weeks of studying, took the math section again - only to be disappointed with her effort - she didn’t pass again. Now facing the last of three attempts for the math sub-section, the pressure was really on her. She was not discouraged, but admittedly concerned. Even if she passed the math section with the bare minimum score, she would still need one additional point to meet the overall total score. The pressure was on. Soon, she got right back to work.
Last week Naya nervously walked into the office, feeling a little apprehensive about taking the math section again. After a pep talk from staff and few deep breaths, she sat down at the computer, closed the office door - and gave it one last try. She waited patiently for the online proctor to start the exam and with the ensuing quiet, we knew she had started the test and was underway. We spent the next 90 minutes on pins and needles - until we heard the familiar sound of the creaking office door of the ‘testing center’ opening - out of which Naya would emerge with her tell-tale smile - she had passed - just squeaking it out with the minimum required score - but ever optimistic, Naya was relieved - “At least that’s behind me now!” she said.
Even with this accomplishment, it came with the additional responsibility of obtaining that last extra point she would need to pass overall. So, on Thursday this past week - Naya came in to retake the reading portion of her exam (her strongest subject) - and to no one’s surprise, she emerged with that same smile - happily reporting she passed with a higher score than her previous reading test - going from a 9 to a 10 - and had now earned her HSE diploma!
Sanaya and Crew Leader David Smith, celebrating moments after passing her test!
Sanaya has reflected on her experience at Youth Corps - a brief interview with her conducted by Chris Mugavero (‘Mr. Chris’), our Transitions Coordinator revealed some of her insights:
Mr. Chris: How did you hear about NJYC?
Sanaya: “My older cousins came to YC. When my home burned down, I moved to Phillipsburg, and my aunt told me about NJYC.”
Mr. Chris: How have you grown while at NJYC?
Sanaya: “I’m a lot wiser today than I was before I came to NJYC. I came to the realization that violence isn’t the way to solve problems, also, I can now see a future for myself.”
Mr. Chris: What was the hardest thing about NJYC?
Sanaya: “The hardest thing for me was moving from student to Transition Team member. I had to learn how to adapt to more challenging roles & responsibilities.”
Mr. Chris: What is your favorite NJYC memory?
Sanaya: “It would be my first workday at NJYC at Walter’s Park. I loved working with my fellow Corpsmembers, as well as the NJYC staff. When I went home that day, I knew I was going to enjoy it here.”
Mr. Chris: What are you most proud of?
Sanaya: “The fact that I didn’t give up on myself, or NJYC, and decided to continue to pursue getting my diploma.”
Way back in March when I first met Sanaya at her interview - I could tell she was motivated, serious, and intentional. I’ve interviewed a lot of young men and women over the years but had an especially good feeling about her. Her smile is infectious, her energy is boundless - she is fierce! Hardworking from the jump, she displayed natural leadership when the opportunity arose - We could all tell this young woman was going places. It was hard work to corral her energy on some days, but she was always respectful and appreciative. Sanaya plans on enrolling in college soon, we are confident that she will be successful in whatever she sets her mind to. She is a perfect example that hard work and determination lead to success - even if you hit some roadblocks along the way.
Please join us in congratulating Sanaya on this monumental occasion!
Until next time - be safe, stay well!
Michael