We had the pleasure of catching up with Duane, a sophomore from our New Visions JKL program in NYC.
Duane is an inspiring visual artist who loves to draw people. He also enjoys listening to heavy metal music and constantly challenging himself with different workouts. Duane was once the new kid on the block, but JKL has helped him to develop friendships in a safe and fun environment.
Last semester, Duane enjoyed learning how to ice skate, sharing in the gratitude circle, giving back to his community and learning the importance of incorporating fruits and veggies into his diet. Duane dreams of becoming a professional graphic designer and architect and we are certainly rooting for him to achieve his goals!
Sophomore student, Brianna, from our Longview JKL program is embracing her creative energy and making her mark on campus.
Before joining JKL, Brianna struggled with self-confidence and the ability to be proud of her own art. “Since the start of our JKL program last fall, I have watched Brianna grow into a confident and outgoing young lady who has had perfect attendance” – Ms. Clark.
Brianna is an aspiring young artist who is gaining inspiration from the weekly gratitude circles, CrossFit workouts and peer to peer motivation. The just keep livin program has provided a safe and encouraging space for Brianna to share her passions and be accepted for who she is. Things like volunteering at her church, anime art and love for Korean pop music culture are all embraced.
After high school, Brianna would like to become a veterinarian and travel to Korea! We can’t wait to see Brianna blossom into an amazing person!
First year transfer student, Nykeevia at Carter High School in Dallas, is embracing the JKL program to enhance her overall high school experience.
Upon arrival to Carter HS, Nykeevia felt left out as a new student because she didn’t have the opportunity to establish new friendships. Once JKL instructor, Coach Cross, made Nykeevia aware of the program, all of her anxieties started to go away. “Nykeevia is a very friendly and helpful JKL student.
She still tends to be shy, but once she warms up she fits right in with her JKL peers”- Coach Cross. Nykeevia has found a voice in the JKL program by expressing herself during the Gratitude Circle which has helped her build new friendships. Nykeevia loves the positive environment, healthy nutrition demos, and the motivation her peers provide her during workout activities.
Nykeevia is on a mission to improve her eating habits and incorporate fitness training into her daily life. She is drinking more water and removing chips from her everyday diet. We are so happy to have Nykeevia join the JKL family and can’t wait to see her blossom in the program!
Meet Yomerly, a sophomore student from our new JKL program at the Brooklyn School for Social Justice in New York.
Yomerly, a once shy girl that lacked confidence and friends, has found her safe haven within the JKL program. She is an inspiring poet and avid journaler. Yomerly reports that socializing is a bit easier with the help of the gratitude circle and peer-to-peer support during fitness activities.
“Yomerly is a respectful and highly motivated young woman. She has attended every JKL meeting and represents the result of a student who truly immerses themselves in the JKL program.”- Ms Chu. We are excited to see Yomerly thrive with our JKL program for years to come.
Meet Folasade, a senior at Carver High School in Houston, who is on a mission to spread positivity and encouragement! The Carver JKL program is completing their 1st semester and has been making strides with recruitment and peer to peer mentorship.
We can thank Folasade for taking the lead in setting the tone for the JKL program on the Carver campus. “Folasade thoroughly enjoys helping others and serving our community. She is the first to volunteer to help with community service and help recruit her peers for the program” – Ms Davis Cook.
Before the JKL program came to Carver, Folasade was involved in the Theater program and warriors for Christ clubs after school. She is such a super star that she still finds the time to participate in those clubs and in jkl without missing a session. When asked why she chose to join the jkjl program she replied “I wanted to be part of a community that will help me accomplish my fitness goals and support my passion for community service”.
After high school, Folasade would like to receive a nursing degree from her dream college – John Hopkins University – and become a pediatrician. We are so excited to see where her aspirations take her!
Landry Walker High School student, Taliyah is looking forward to taking full advantage of the jkl program during her senior year!
Over the years, Taliyah has had many first time experiences like canoeing, finding potato chip substitutes, increasing her water intake and being a positive role model. New comers to jkl look up to Taliyah for motivation and accountability. She is excited to be an upper classman who inspires her peers to workout and be healthy. “It has been a joy to witness Taliyah’s growth through the JKL Program. She is always confident in herself no matter what she is doing. She always has that I can do it attitude.” –Mr Donsereaux (jkl Instructor) After high school Taliyah would like attend University of Southern Mississippi to study criminal justice and become a police officer that protects her current neighborhood. We are looking forward to seeing Taliyah thrive this year and wish her the best!
Our Alum Chelsea has come full circle! She started her jkl journey 6 years ago at our jkl program at Hamilton High school in Los Angeles.
Chelsea recently graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in criminal justice. She is currently applying to Law schools around the country and is ready to lead the way for the jkl program at HOLA (Heart of Los Angeles) were she is the After School Programs coordinator. Chelsea is looking forward to bringing creative fitness activities, helping with self-esteem and encouraging the students to achieve their goals! While in college, Chelsea developed a passion for youth rights and wants to be a child advocate lawyer. She explained, “I want to bring equal and fair rights to the courtroom and be a voice for the youth.” We are so proud of Chelsea’s and excited to see her in action with the HOLA jkl program.
Meet Maggie, our Animo Inglewood JKL Alum who is on her way to Harvard University in the Fall!
We are so proud to announce that Maggie was amongst the 4% of students accepted to Harvard this year! We are so happy for Maggie and all that she has achieved! Despite having hardships in her home life, Maggie prevailed with excellence through her school work and the JKL sessions for all four years during high school.
Maggie went from being a shy freshmen student looking for meaningful high school experiences to developing a passion for yoga, running 5k races and volunteering. Maggie is a natural leader and a great example of utilizing the JKL program to her benefit! This Fall, Maggie will be focusing on her general ed with an interest in obtaining an Engineering Degree from Harvard University.
Meet Jacquelyn, our lovely, energetic Senior at Chavez H.S in Houston, who has a passion for the arts and helping people! Before joining the jkl program, Jacquelyn struggled with having a short temper, and as a result, had a hard time maintaining friendships. During the jkl gratitude circles, Jacquelyn had the opportunity to listen to her peers share their personal stories, struggles and celebrations! This eventually helped Jacquelyn with her friendships as she began to open up and share more, which also led to her being more grateful. Since her first semester in the jkl program, Jacquelyn consistently has a smile on her face, lost 25 pounds, and has developed new friendships and through her jkl family.
“Having Instructors like Ms. Giles and Ms. Salvador who tell me to never give up and share my gifts, has been extremely helpful”. Jacquelyn is a passionate graphic designer, make-up artist and painter, who just sold her first painting for $2,000 earlier this year! She volunteers her time to provide make-up sessions for the Gay Straight Alliance Club on campus. Jacquelyn is a bubbly, creative student and we are so proud of her! We wish her luck in pursuing a graphic design and engineering degree after high school!
11th Grade Student Roshawnda from Roosevelt High School has found her tribe within the jkl program. In the past, Roshawda was a shy individual who struggled with low self-esteem due to being picked on at school but now she is more vibrant than ever. New friendships, Community service trips to local nursing homes, opening up during the gratitude circle and hearing guest speakers from Action in Africa and Howard speak are a few highlights that have had huge impacts on her.
“Roshawnda, is the epitome of student excellence, she is what most students inspire to be as both student and scholar. She constantly reminds me of why we do the work we do”- Mr Moore. Roshawnda’s level of dedication is unmatched as she is actively playing school sports each semester and stills finds time to embrace the jkl program. She frequently brings new students to join also.
After her high school chapter is done, Roshawnda is looking forward to studying business management and hope to opening up her own hair salon in her community. We know Roshawnda will be an amazing adult and we look forward to witnessing her growth.
“Upbeat,” “curious” and “motivational” are just a few words that describe Niya, a Senior at John Adams High School in Cleveland, OH who is blossoming in the JKL program!
During her sophomore and junior year, she heard about the JKL program but never had the time to stay after school. For her senior year, though, she made it a goal to be more intentional and decided to finally join the JKL program despite the fact she works 4 days a week and has a packed schedule.
This past Fall semester has exposed Niya to so many first time experiences: the Breast Cancer 5k, Cavaliers games, yoga lessons and exploring the sights outside of her neighborhood. She now regularly implements and shares with her mother the many tips and recipes she gets from the JKL monthly nutrition component.
“Niya is hardworking and has a tremendous amount of integrity. She is one of our JKL leaders and has truly begun to shape the program here at John Adams,” said JKL instructor, Ms. Ware Rembert.
After high school, Niya would like to study the field of criminal justice and become a homicide detective. We wish nothing but greatest for Niya for this spring semester and for whatever the future holds!
Tony is an 11th grade student from our JKL program at Lanier High School in Austin, TX and he is finding his voice! With only a few months under his belt, Tony has strived to become one of the most active students in the JKL program.
After being exposed to Zumba, Hip-Hop Dance, and proper stretching techniques, Tony has found a new passion. Sharing dance moves with his family members is becoming a weekly ritual. He is focused on eliminating junk food and eating more veggies. He is becoming a role model and really sees it as a way of life now. Despite being busy with his fire academy obligations and chemistry hobby, Tony always makes the time to enjoy JKL fitness sessions.
Tony is full of energy and wants to share the love he has found in movement with his peers. Says Tony’s JKL teacher, Ms. Willis, “While last year he only watched, this year Tony has become very active in JKL. He has been very engaged in our community service activities and takes pride in helping others. As Tony has learning disabilities and has been teased in the past for being different, he has dedicated his time now to doing as much as he can to make others feel included and cared about.”
