Next Steps, Leaps, and Bounds

                This last Friday I was able to return to Circle Urban to participate in Trinity’s final visit for the semester. We began with introductions again and played a few ice breakers. I was intrigued that most students had picked the high school they hoped to attend. In my hometown there is only one public high school and one private high school, the former offering more opportunities for leadership and the arts. With the poor condition on many Chicago Public Schools, though, it was important that the eighth graders have an idea of the institution that would give them the greatest advantage.

The first “get to know you” game divided the students, both Trinity and middle schoolers, into two groups. One made an inner circle facing out, while the outer ring faced inward like Velcro or the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane. Now each student was facing another in a pair. The outer members’ instruction was to ask as many questions as possible in thirty seconds before the signal was given to rotate one to the right. As an entity of the inner circle, I was impressed with the creativity with which the questions were asked. I had to chuckle and appreciate the opportunity to be an example when one boy asked if I went out every week. After receiving my answer, his follow up was to ask if I partied. Again I said, “No,” and he shrugged and continued. I hope and pray that these students will be able to continue the patterns they currently employ of using after school time to be constructive and productive toward a bright future. I know I could and would not be at Trinity or any college, or it would be a terrible struggle if I habitually made poor choices with my free time. 

The next game was mostly fun.  Everyone was given an animal. When the game began everyone was asked to close their eyes and make the sound of their animal while finding others making that same sound. At the end, my group of three was still lacking two members, but it was good practice using unusual senses and growing in understanding of the necessity of verbal language for communication.

We had some time before the students were to split up into groups by grade and used it to mingle a little bit. At this time they were told that this would be the last visit from Trinity and they were disappointed. Although I had been there only one other time several gave me hugs and words of well-wishing. I understand that we were there to serve them but was genuinely touched by their hospitality throughout both visits.  

I joined the seventh graders in their classroom to help work on their research projects. One of their objectives was to find pictures online of their hopeful college and career. It was such a blessing to see future doctors, lawyers, and athletes consider the road to success. In fact, the students were asked to write an autobiography including their basic information as well as their personal description of success. I was so impressed that such young students were answering the call to ask and consider big questions about life early on to get a head start and a running leap at their dreams. Although my job was mostly to remind students to stay on task, I had the privilege to see some of what they were writing.  They had given sincere thought to the possibilities and opportunities that await them in the future.  It is programs like the Circle Urban College Readiness that are making a difference in the lives of these students and I have been blessed to be even a small part of it.