12th grade scholar Michael came to the Ralph Ellison JKL program to hang out with his friend, but little did he know this would be one of his best decisions as a senior. Community service was a mental switch for Michael, as he thought he was joining to get credit for his senior graduation. However, he enjoyed donating and organizing resources at the book bank, which later inspired Michael to give food to the homeless community on his way home from JKL. Before joining the JKL program, Michael had a good pulse in respecting the food that enters his body. Still, he grasped the importance of having a good balance of fruits and vegetables, which he learned through the program’s monthly nutrition lessons.
“Michael is extremely dedicated to the JKL program. He comes to all JKL meetings and events with a positive attitude, a kind heart, and an open mind for trying new things. Throughout his time in the JKL program, Michael has shown personal and academic growth. It has been our pleasure watching him flourish in the program,” – Ms. Long, JKL Instructor
Michael is glad he decided to check out JKL that one day to hang out with his friend. Now, he has made several new friends and has been exposed to multiple first-time experiences. He is looking to complete his senior year by ensuring everyone around him knows the importance of smiling and being grateful for the small things in life. After graduation, Michael wants to take on the trade world by learning a skill set within the welding career path. We know Michael will positively impact the world and be a proud JKL alum in all he does!
Meet Lendy, a great, warm-hearted student shining bright in the JKL program at Sunset High School. Over the past few years in the program, our fitness component has allowed her to be consistently active with workouts. “If you don’t have access to tools for working out, you have no motivation. In JKL, I can be amongst my peers and be encouraged to work out, so having access to fun workouts has been the best.” There have been many moments of gratitude for the resources Lendy has embraced. The value of giving back to her community and seeing local families happy by helping with food drives has resonated with Lendy. Taking advantage of community service allowed her to attend a Texas Ranger World Series game while making an impact by collecting recyclable items throughout the venue with her JKL peers.
“Lendy Morales is a Senior with a kind heart. She is willing to help fellow students and participates in events that support our community. She serves as a great example to other JKL participants”- JKL Instructor, Major Simpson.
It is our honor to support students like Lendy, who have remained committed to the JKL program since the beginning of her high school career!
The Uvalde High School JKL program is making a powerful impact both on campus and in the community, and one of its shining stars is junior Jaslyn. From the moment she joined, Jaslyn has taken advantage of all JKL offers, and it’s clear she’s thriving. Recently, she and her JKL peers played a key role in building the 9th Kaboom playground for the Uvalde community, an experience that left her feeling proud. “I felt so good giving back to my community and knowing that I had a hand in creating that playground is something I’ll always remember.”
For Jaslyn, the JKL program has transformed her high school journey in ways she never imagined. She thought joining the cheer team would be her most significant achievement and only memory from high school. But now, two and a half years later, as a high school junior, she is experiencing new things like zip lining hundreds of feet in the air, rock climbing, trying new fruits and veggies, and being selected to attend a youth leadership conference.
“Jaslyn is a remarkable person with a heart full of kindness,” says a fellow student. “She’s always ready to listen, lend a hand, or be a friend to anyone in need. Over the past few years, I’ve seen her grow beyond her comfort zone, constantly striving to improve and embracing every part of the program.”
With her eyes set on the future, Jaslyn is determined to become the first in her family to graduate from high school and attend college. She is a testament to hard work, community spirit, and the power of believing in yourself.
Lance, Carver High School
Lance is a 12th-grade student enrolled in the JKL program at our Carver High School. He is currently in his second semester of JKL and has formed a family of both new and old friends. According to MS Caldwell, “Lance is a great student in our JKL program who provides much positive energy for our gratitude circles and his passion for the arts.” Lance is also a visual artist who enjoys creating works for his fellow JKL members. Since joining the program, fitness has become an integral part of his lifestyle, and he finds it fun to engage in weekly exercises with his friends in JKL. After high school, Lance plans to attend college and earn a degree in graphic design. He is excited to showcase his skills and passion for drawing and video editing. When you meet Lance, you’ll immediately notice that he’s a leader with a lot of gratitude and art to offer the world.
