Samantha, JKL Student
Fairfax HS, Los Angeles
Samantha, who refers to herself as a “former” anti-social student, has finally found her tribe during her junior year at Fairfax High school.
After joining the softball team and being introduced to the JKL program, Samantha started spending more time exploring fitness, nutrition, and teamwork which has elevated her high school experience lately. “I have learned a lot about my body and have been challenged physically and have not allowed myself to be lazy since joining the program”.
Samantha is already displaying leadership qualities in the JKL Fairfax program, and especially when the Rocky theme song is playing! After high school, Samantha plans to fulfill her lifelong dream by studying to become a veterinarian. We love to hear about our student’s goals and dreams. You got this Samantha!
DeAnthony, JKL Student
Glenville HS, Cleveland OH
Glenville High school JKL student, DeAnthony is looking forward to closing out his last year in high school with a bang.
Since joining the JKL program in the 10th grade, DeAnthony has become more consistent and vocal about sharing his ideas for community service events. “One of my favorite community service events was going out and feeding the homelessness. It was a real wakeup call and made me realize how grateful I am for what I have,” explained DeAnthony.
Although community service is high on his list for favorite activities in JKL, nutrition takes the number one spot. Learning to shop on a budget at his local market and cooking with more vegetables has been a major highlight for DeAnthony. After high school, DeAnthony is looking forward to attending college and studying to become a neurologist. We always tell our JKL students to dream big and we will always have their backs! We will be cheering for DeAnthony as he wraps up his senior year and pursues his dreams!
Sandy, JKL Student
Chavez High School, Houston, TX
JKL student and senior, Sandy from Chavez High School is what we like to call a dedicated ambassador! Since joining the program earlier this Fall, Sandy hasn’t missed any JKL sessions.
Community service projects and the gratitude circle have helped her get through high school with a positive mindset. Before joining JKL, Sandy spent many days stressed out over school and life in general.
Sandy recently got student of the month for the program due to her consistency, positive energy and leadership skills. “The JKL program made me realize that doing things for your community can be fun and often help someone have a better day.”
We love when new students take advantage of the program whether in their freshman year or senior year, our JKL program is always open!
Zarriah, JKL Student
John Adams High School, Cleveland OH
Zarriah is a JKL student at John Adams in Cleveland who has been shining bright for the last 3 years in the program and is on her way to finishing up her senior year!
Currently, she takes college courses, plays for the school’s basketball and tennis team and still makes time for JKL every week. Throughout her years in the program, Zarriah has had a blast riding a horse for the first time, going to Cavs games on a regular basis and really embracing what it means to be grateful.
“I have learned a lot in JKL and I really loved taking part in the gratitude circle, attending community service events and not taking the small things for granted”. She plans to pursue a computer science degree with a focus in cyber security. We have no doubt that Zarriah is going to help change the world with her positive energy and leadership!
Janaya & Jada
Venice H.S., Los Angeles
Twin sisters, Janaya and Jada have been faithful JKL students at Venice H.S. since freshman year.
Both have been very active in pursuing their unique goals through the JKL online programming this year. Janaya was able to develop her cooking skills, incorporate new ingredients and create recipes from scratch. Jada found support for her weight loss journey by joining our world calisthenics and strong nation workouts.
Despite the positive experiences they both had with online JKL programming, attending school via zoom had its challenges. Luckily, the JKL monthly Mental Health Monday sessions helped these sisters navigate the semester.
As they approach their last year of high school, they are focused on their academics as they are both hoping to attend a Historical Black College University. “Jada and Janaya are superb and exemplary JKL students who work hard in their academic growth and endeavors. Their leadership and dedication is a pleasure to watch” – Joy (JKL instructor).
Hanna, JKL Student
Freshman JKL student, Hanna, like many other students across the country, started her high school experience entirely virtual. When she realized the COVID-19 pandemic was staying longer than anticipated and online learning would be her new norm, Hanna decided to join the New Visions JKL afterschool program.
She had the benefit of hearing many positive reviews from her cousin, a JKL alumni. It was the JKL program that helped launch Hanna into a fun weight loss journey! Since joining the program Hanna has lost 21 pounds through fun, high-energy dance classes and sweaty HIIT workouts.
Mental Health Mondays have been a highlight for Hanna getting through stressful school days and coping with being an only child at home. Hanna expressed, “Mental Health Mondays have encouraged me to keep my head up during the times I felt alone and provided me with calming breathing techniques for when I start overthinking.” After Hanna completes high school, she would like to obtain an engineering degree focused on coding while also pursuing an acting career. ”
Hanna is a student who is full of wisdom and energy… No matter what is going on, she sees the positive and brings light to everything she is involved in. Hanna has been such a great asset to our JKL program,” says Ms. Byers. We look forward to seeing Hanna and the New Visions JKL program continue to thrive!
Jordan Moore: Manual Arts JKL Program, Los Angeles
Like many programs, due to COVID, JKL has had to pivot and offer our weekly programming online in a creative way! For some students zoom fatigue has become a reality while others are making it a priority to utilize online resources. Jordan from Manual Arts High School is one of the JKL student’s taking advantage of our weekly resources and online programming. Jordan explains, “The JKL program has helped me become more confident in dealing with situations that I struggled with. Mental Health Mondays has really allowed me to use the tools that our taught to deal with my stress”.
During the pandemic, Jordan has acquired some newly found cooking skills and has decided to eat more vegetables while removing soda and candy from his diet. We are so proud of Jordan and we love watching him achieve his goals. Jordan is Senior and may not get to experience another in-person JKL session, but he is forever grateful for the nutrition knowledge, community service events and guest speakers that have given him such great perspectives on life.
“Jordan is a young man who will be successful in the future because of the confidence he has and his ability to always think in a positive way” says Mr. Simpson, JKL instructor. Next Fall, Jordan will be enrolled in a California based college studying graphic design!
Freshman JKL student, Riley Branum is a jocular and fearless leader who exudes positive energy and dedication.
Riley was fortunate enough to attend 1 of 2 high school campuses that offered JKL programming in hybrid format last fall! Once Riley learned about the elements of the JKL program, especially community service and gratitude, she was all in! Riley explained, “It’s nice to know we give back to our community, it is something I have been doing for long time and it’s very important to me”.
Upon entering high school, Riley had a lot of issues with anxiety and self-doubt. Riley has found a safe haven in the JKL program where she can share her creative passions and become a peer leader. “Riley loves deeply and cares for everyone. She is a great friend to others and is always there when needed. I am very proud of the young lady she is becoming”, said Ms. Hester.
The East Laurens JKL program just completed its first semester and has already made some successful strides. There was strong student engagement during a campus beautification project and a great mentoring collaboration with their local elementary school. First year programs with awesome students is a recipe for success!
We look forward to seeing Riley and the East Laurens JKL program thrive this semester.
Perla
Fremont High School
Perla graduated from Fremont High School in 2017. In addition to being a member of just keep livin program, Perla also was a letterwinner in soccer, volleyball and track.
Currently she is attending University of Nebraska at Kearney. (UNK) where she is a Junior majoring in Sociology and playing soccer. Prior to transferring to UNK, Perla attended East Los Angeles College for two years where she helped the Huskies win eight games and tie 11 others over the 2018-2019 season for soccer.
Perla was twice named All-South Coast Conference North Division and the the SCC North Division in goals (18) in 2018.
Mya Hickman
New Vision Humanities High School, New York
A once timid, shy and reserved freshman, Mya from New Vision Humanities in New York, took the advice from her counselor and joined the JKL program.
Mya is now a thriving, outspoken sophomore student who remembers that day vividly. She explains, “I had such a shell and was very shy and there were so many people in the cafeteria for the JKL meeting, but I decided to get out of my comfort zone and I haven’t turned back!” Now with the JKL program being 100% virtual, Mya is still taking advantage of each session and hasn’t missed one yet.
Getting a chance to hear from WWE Super Star R-Truth and have weekly Zumba classes have been the highlight of her semester so far. Although she is still uncertain about when school will be back in-person, Mya is not complaining.
Since Covid, she has become more focused with school work and keep remaindering herself to “not be afraid to try new things.” JKL Instructor, Ms. Byers states, “Mya is a student who overcame academic obstacles and fitness challenges. Mya is a model JKL student who fits in just perfectly in our JKL program.”
Ballou H.S | Washington D.C.
Remote learning has created a barrier for student participation in many classrooms and programs around the world. Luckily, we have been able to pivot and reach some resilient students who are eager to log back on to the computer after countless school day zoom meetings. Kamari, from our Ballou JKL program, is one of those students!
Since we have launched online programming this Fall, Kamari has had 100% participation. Sessions with Officer Ryan Tillman, Vote.org, Monthly Calisthenics workouts and a high energy interview with WWE superstar R-Truth were some of his favorite JKL sessions so far. During Covid, Kamari has missed being in person for JKL programming and band practice, but that didn’t stop him from getting creative.
Kamari started cooking healthier meals, participating in weekly drum pad practice sessions with friends via zoom and recently got inspired to start jogging with his mother after hearing about our JKL Fall Virtual 5k. Kamari is dedicated to keeping up his school work and JKL sessions for the year and is looking forward to laughing and having fun with friends soon! Once things settle, Kamari would like to take a trip to North Carolina to see his family. We appreciate Kamari’s engagement level and dedication to the JKL program and look forward to seeing him in person in the near future.
Madahi,
Venice High School, Los Angeles
JKL Graduate 2020
Recent JKL Venice High School Alum, Madahi wasn’t able to cross the stage for graduation this year like so many of our other JKL seniors across the country. She still stands tall and full of positive energy with summer coming to end and college on the horizon!
Since the pandemic, Madahi has been able to focus on her newly discovered vegan diet and zero waste lifestyle, which she credits to what she learned in the JKL program. She explains, “when I was in the Venice JKL program it definitely opened eyes to trying new foods, being healthy in my choices and always giving back to the community. My best friend and I have been on a vegan journey and we are loving it!”
Although JKL meetings didn’t take place in person during the late spring semester, Madahi was still committed to giving back to the community. She has been collecting donations to send protective gear and school supplies for farmers and their children in the San Jose area. A once shy and non-motivated student, Madahi is now ready to take on the world and reach her full potential. This Fall, Madahi will start college with a dream to one day have a place in forensics sciences. We wish nothing but positive energy and support for Madahi aspirations.
