Bittersweet Goodbyes, Fond Memories, and Exciting Futures

Our last session of the year was tinged with a unique mix of nostalgia, accomplishment, and a keen sense of anticipation for what the future holds. We came together as a community – students, coaches, and mentors alike – to not only reflect on the year gone by but to also discuss and shape the contours of the exciting path ahead.

 As we explored plans for the upcoming year, we unveiled a new program we’re adding to our repertoire, eliciting eager curiosity and enthusiasm from our students. The session was punctuated by earnest discussions about their expectations for the new program, their dreams, and their desires for the type of opportunities they wished to encounter in the coming year. This collaborative dialogue not only ensured our programming was student-centered but also reiterated our commitment to fostering an environment of shared decision-making.

One of the hallmarks of our community is the dedication to continuous improvement, a trait prominently displayed during our reflective discourse on enhancing our coaching methods. What stood out was the maturity and introspection shown by the students who readily shared areas where they could enhance their performance and participation.

Reflecting on the past year, we invited the students to revisit those sessions which had a profound impact on them. One student’s recollection stood out, transporting us back to a formative session focused on the exploration of self-identity, “I am” statements, core values, and motivation. I recently discovered William Hollis’ inspiring video “”I AM” A Powerful Motivational Video For Success!”  and shared this with them after today’s session. (If you haven’t watched this, you really should.) It’s truly rewarding to learn that our sessions have left such profound and lasting marks on their personal development paths.

As the conversation shifted towards the upcoming summer break, it was equally exciting to hear about the diverse plans our students had in store. From visiting potential colleges in Texas to family gatherings, and immersive summer camp experiences in New York, their summers promised a wealth of unique experiences. We urged them to step beyond familiar grounds, rekindle shelved dreams, and seize these opportunities. One student was already a step ahead, reigniting her ambition to visit a soon-to-close museum exhibit in New York.

While we reiterated our presence over the summer and availability for any assistance on Discord, bidding goodbye, albeit temporarily, was an emotional moment. We look forward to the quick passage of a fruitful summer and to welcoming back our vibrant learners to continue this enriching journey.

Reflecting on the year, we are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be part of these young learners’ lives. As we move towards the future, we are excited about the growth, learning, and success that await us all. As they say, the end of one journey marks the beginning of another, and we can’t wait to embark on this new phase together.

--------------------------

Join the discussion about this and other high school education topics in our Facebook Group "Alternatives to High School". The goal of the group is to give parents a place to discuss options to public/private school and standardized curriculum as well as share resources for educating teens.