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Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchu Tum Inspires MYCP Youth in Tally

ISLAMORADA (401 words) -- “Who do you want to be in high school or after high school?” asked Jon Gordon at two recent Eighth-Grade Transition Programs or 8TP for short. After the youth brought their goals to mind Gordon, a Challenge Day Associate brought in to host the event, inquired about their barriers. Then Gordon invited a few students to the front to break a piece of white pine with their bare hand.

“I’m going to nail mine on the wall in my room as a reminder to know I can do something,” said Jesse Wallingk who broke a board in front of 200 of his peers. He’s an incoming freshman from Key Largo School who wants to serve in the U.S. Marines.

April 21, Coral Shores High School hosted 8th-Grade students from Key Largo School, Plantation Key School, Treasure Village Montessori, and home education. Another 60 upper classmen served as youth leaders.

In Key West April 20, the Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel graciously hosted the 8TP at no cost for more than 360 incoming freshman and more than 60 Key West High School upper classmen. Students in the class of 2014 are to merge from Mary Immaculate School, Sugarloaf Elementary, and Horace O’Bryant Middle School.

Lauren Parra, a junior at Key West High School who helped facilitate the day, noticed the transition of students from many schools into one future class of freshman. “In the beginning they looked at us like we were crazy but at the end they were ready to dance with us,” she said.

Willingness is the empirical evidence that relationships formed during all the trust-building games and problem solving challenges throughout the day.

As Key Largo School Student Katherine Hamer said about her opportunity to break the board, “At first I didn’t feel like doing it then I decided I could do it.”

The new freshman class was challenged to focus on their goals and drive through the barriers to be the person they want to be and do what they dream of in school and life.

These 8TPs were sponsored by MYCP and have shown to reduce school violence, fighting, and bullying. Monroe Youth Challenge Program is a project of the Monroe County Education Foundation to build Developmental Assets® and create opportunities so every child in Monroe County can feel safe, loved, and celebrated. For more information call MYCP Director Sunny Booker at (305) 293-1400 ext. 53319 or visit http://mycp.keysschools.com/.