Hats Off to LifeSkills of Akron

It’s amazing how a creative activity can really get students involved in their education.  At LifeSkills of Akron, Alison Stahlheber came up with a hands-on activity that got people talking.  Alison is a science teacher at the school, and for Black History Month, she suggested that the students have a poster and poetry contest involving a famous African-American historical figure.  The contest was completely voluntary, and no class credit was given for participation.

In total, 15 students put together posters or poetry, and the staff voted for their favorites.  The contest did more than just get students working, it got them talking.

“It really generated some discussion with the students and teachers,” said Mick Rogers, the school improvement lead teacher at LifeSkills of Akron. “The students were really proud of their work.  They were happy to hang them up in the hallway for everyone to see.”

Myiosha Bethune and Javontay Hollinshed (pictured left to right), students at LifeSkills of Akron, with their winning Black History Month poster.

First prize went to Javontay Hollinshed and Myiosha Bethune, who worked together on a poster about Madam C.J. Walker, a famous African-American business woman.

“I thought it was important to do the poster because a lot of people didn’t know who she was,” said Myiosha. “I knew a little about her, but I learned so much more doing the project.”

Javontay said that the poster held personal meaning to her.

“I’m inspired by what she did; she led that way for so many people,” said Javontay. “Her legacy is still going on today.”

Myiosha was glad to participate but noted that she did get something out of the contest besides knowledge and pride.

With a chuckle, she added, “We also got free pizza.”

A well deserved perk for participation in such an engaging project.

Hats Off to LifeSkills of Pinellas County Graduates

Chas Williams suffered a tragic setback when his mother died during his senior year of high school, which negatively impacted his academic motivation.

“That was my best friend, so I kind of didn’t want to do much of anything,” Williams told Bay News 9, regarding his mother’s death. “It was like school, family, none of that really mattered, it was just money and music.”

Williams eventually found LifeSkills of Pinellas County and decided to go back to school a year ago. Now he’s proud to be graduating with a high school diploma.

Read more about Williams here and see a video interview here.

Hats Off to LifeSkills of Leon County Graduates

Salutatorian of LifeSkills of Leon County, Sophia Mitchell, was due to have a baby at her graduation ceremony Jan. 14. But, she didn’t let that stop her from attending.

“My daughter is what made me stick with it,” Mitchell told the Tallahassee Democrat. “I am doing this for her.”

Valedictorian Daniel Stribling was homeschooled most of his life, but came to LifeSkills to finish the credits he needed to earn a high school diploma and move on to college. He’s now studying mechanical engineering at Florida State University.

Read more about the graduates of LifeSkills of Leon County here and view a photo gallery from the graduation ceremony here.

Hats Off to LifeSkills of Hamilton County and Cincinnati Graduates

Syllicia Cash and Steve Stephenson, both 19 years old, walked across the stage at Schiff Conference and Banquet Center in Cincinnati Jan. 15. They proudly earned their high school diplomas from LifeSkills of Hamilton County and LifeSkills of Cincinnati, respectively.

“I never thought I would graduate,” Cash told Fox 19 in Cincinnati. “I’ve always seen other graduations, and I always say, ‘well, one day, I want to be like that’.”

Having spent time in foster care and group homes, Cash was determined to finish her education. Stephenson, who dropped out of traditional high school his freshman year, also had a wake-up call.

“They gave me the courage to move on when I thought I couldn’t,” Stephenson told Fox 19, of the staff at LifeSkills. “They did a lot of great things for me.”

Read more about both Cash and Stephenson here, and watch a video of their Jan. 15 graduation ceremony here.

Hats Off to Pontiac LifeSkills’ Graduates

Just a few credits shy of graduating, Regina Williams turned to LifeSkills of Pontiac to complete her high school diploma. With personalized attention and motivation from her teachers, Regina was able finish her high school education and was asked to speak at her graduation ceremony.

One of her teachers said to the Oakland Press, “She came here a very shy young lady and was excited from previous learning experiences,” he said. “Now she goes out of her way to be helpful with the staff and wants to participate and make the school environment a positive one.”

Read more about Regina’s experience at LifeSkills in the Jan. 7 edition of the Oakland Press.

photo credit: carbonnyc

Hats Off to Middletown LifeSkills’ Graduates

Chelsea Manns, Daniel Bray and Steven Carpenter received their high school diplomas Thursday, January 14 with the help of their supportive teachers at LifeSkills Middletown.

With more than 680 students graduating from LifeSkills since the program started in 2002, these students are thankful for this program that worked around their schedules and pushed them to succeed.

Read more about their stories in the Jan. 13 edition of the Middletown Journal.

Hats Off to LifeSkills of Cleveland and Demetrius Treadwell

Demetrius “Tree” Treadwell is now a senior at Euclid High School and a member of the school’s varsity basketball team, averaging an impressive 23.2 points, 16.8 rebounds and 5.8 blocks per game. But just a year ago, Treadwell made the tough decision to leave Euclid as a junior – and give up basketball for a year – to enroll in LifeSkills of Cleveland and get his academic life back on track.

“I needed a whole change of scenery,” Treadwell told the News-Herald in January 2010. “I needed a drastic change to help me get a lot of things back together in my life before I could concentrate on basketball. I feel like now I am on the right track.”

Said Euclid basketball coach, Andy Suttell, “He did a ton of work at Life Skills to get himself back in order off the court to get back playing. He’s come a long way, and it’s a good story.”

Read more about Treadwell’s story and his plans for the future in the Jan. 9 issue of the News-Herald.

photo credit: tcp909

Hats Off to LifeSkills Detroit

The past year and a half has been good to the debate team at LifeSkills Detroit. Not only have the students picked up local honors, but they’ve been invited to attend the prestigious National High School Debate Tournament at Harvard University in February. The team’s performance continues to surprise and delight English teacher and debate advisor, Raven Jones.

“It doesn’t matter to me that they win. I just want them to be better speakers,” Jones told the Detroit Free Press in December 2009. “It makes me smile and cry.”

Read more about the team’s success in the Dec. 19 issue of the Detroit Free Press.

photo credit: hiddedevries

Hats Off to Jose Sales

LifeSkills Miami-Dade
“LIFE, two, three, four,
SKILLS, two, three, four…”

Jose Salas knew some day he would march to the cadence of an Army drill because he decided early in life to serve his nation by joining the United States Army. It turned out to be a tough journey for Jose, but one that prepared him well for his military career. A series of unfortunate events resulted in Jose’s emancipation from his parents at age 16. Living alone, Jose had to work full time in order to support himself. Although a gifted student at Miami Senior High School, Jose was unable to attend his afternoon classes due to his work schedule and fell behind in school.

Undaunted and determined to graduate on time so that he could enter Basic Training as scheduled, Jose decided to attend the Miami-Dade LifeSkills. He credits the program at LifeSkills with providing exactly what he needed. As so many other gifted students experience, he felt held back by the pace in his traditional school. At LifeSkills, he was provided with a graduation plan that enabled him to excel. It offered the flexibility he needed to complete his education at his own pace and at times he was able to attend. Jose dedicated himself to graduation and often attended both academic sessions on his days off.

Jose graduated on time in June of 2008. He credits the teachers and staffs at the Miami-Dade LifeSkills for helping him achieve his desire to serve our Nation. Jose currently serves in the United States Army as an Imagery Analyst assigned to the Military Intelligence Corps. Jose routinely works with Army Interrogators and Intelligence Analysts to prepare combatants for missions and helps to keep the United States free and strong. Jose will be leaving for Iraq in February 2010. We know he will continue to march to the cadence he loves for some time to come.

photo credit: The U.S. Army

Hats Off to Katie Lynn Degg

Katie Lynn Degg exemplifies the “IdidUcan” mantra of LifeSkills.  Katie Lynn, along with her eight brothers and sisters, grew up in the Michigan foster care system.  As the oldest, Katie Lynn shouldered the additional burden of keeping track of her siblings as they were moved from one foster home to another and did her best to keep her now fragmented family together.  Her deepest desire remained to reunite her family, but she did not have much hope.  Refusing to back down, Katie Lynn decided to complete her high school diploma and began attending LifeSkills in Pontiac, Michigan in September of 2005.  Katie Lynn graduated on June 14, 2006.

Because of her experience at LifeSkills, Katie Lynn encouraged her sister, Olivia, to also pursue her high school diploma at LifeSkills.  Olivia enrolled in December of 2008 and, in spite of the many challenges she also faced, graduated in June of 2009 as the Valedictorian.  Olivia was awarded a scholarship from Baker College and is now studying Social Work.

As great as this story is, it gets better.  Katie Lynn, still pursuing her desire to reunite her family, has recently been given custody of her youngest brother, Steven.  Steven is currently enrolled at LifeSkills Pontiac where he is determined to follow in his sisters’ footsteps. Katie Lynn and her husband are happy and remain grateful for the opportunity Katie Lynn had to achieve an education, gain a renewed confidence in bringing her family together, and lead a better life.  Katie Lynn credits the LifeSkills Pontiac staff for motivating her to overcome her desperate situation and to never quit until she realized her dream.

LifeSkills Pontiac
“She did; so did her sister; and her brother will soon!”

Katie Lynn Degg exemplifies the “IdidUcan” mantra of LifeSkills.  Katie Lynn, along with her eight brothers and sisters, grew up in the Michigan foster care system.  As the oldest, Katie Lynn shouldered the additional burden of keeping track of her siblings as they were moved from one foster home to another and did her best to keep her now fragmented family together.  Her deepest desire remained to reunite her family, but she did not have much hope.  Refusing to back down, Katie Lynn decided to complete her high school diploma and began attending LifeSkills in Pontiac, Michigan in September of 2005.  Katie Lynn graduated on June 14, 2006.

Because of her experience at LifeSkills, Katie Lynn encouraged her sister, Olivia, to also pursue her high school diploma at LifeSkills.  Olivia enrolled in December of 2008 and, in spite of the many challenges she also faced, graduated in June of 2009 as the Valedictorian.  Olivia was awarded a scholarship from Baker College and is now studying Social Work.

As great as this story is, it gets better.  Katie Lynn, still pursuing her desire to reunite her family, has recently been given custody of her youngest brother, Steven.  Steven is currently enrolled at LifeSkills Pontiac where he is determined to follow in his sisters’ footsteps. Katie Lynn and her husband are happy and remain grateful for the opportunity Katie Lynn had to achieve an education, gain a renewed confidence in bringing her family together, and lead a better life.  Katie Lynn credits the LifeSkills Pontiac staff for motivating her to overcome her desperate situation and to never quit until she realized her dream.