As we celebrate our class of 2023 and the bright futures they prepare to head toward, we also welcome our newest students! Meet Emma, Madison, and Adam, three of our newest SSP students who will embark on this enriching journey with us starting in the next few months!
Emma, Holy Cross
Emma will be joining Holy Cross in the fall of 2023, but she has felt a part of the community long before her official start date. Emma recalled going to the school’s open house. She said, “the teachers were kind and welcoming…the students were helpful with directions.” She felt an immediate connection with the school, she said, partly because her uncle went there, and she looks forward to following in his footsteps.
What stood out about Emma was her positive attitude toward change and her openness to new opportunities. She described what she was most looking forward to in high school as “the environment – it’s totally different from middle school.” Her excitement for maturing and growing does not end with the activities she currently enjoys but actually includes the unknown. Emma said, [in high school] “everyone has an open mind, if your friend likes something they might get you into it."
Emma has dived headfirst into documentaries on Netflix on science. She wants to learn everything she can about biology and criminology. In middle school, she has been learning about DNA and cells, which she described as “cool because you get to understand things in depth.” Other than science, Emma has enjoyed participating in her middle school’s glee club. Though she loves to sing, she said, “if there’s a choice between singing and science, I would choose science.” Fortunately, Holy Cross will provide her with both her passions and more to explore. She acknowledged her unique position of being a part of SSP by saying, “if you were to go to a public school, you wouldn’t have as many opportunities.”
SSP aligns itself with mentorship, its practice and deep-rooted values. Emma shared her experience with mentorship so far and what she is excited for in the future. She currently looks up to her living environment teacher, whom she described as “ very positive and encouraging,” as well as her father. Emma’s dad is always encouraging to do better. “He wouldn’t get mad at a bad test score,” she said. “He is just positive and wants you to do better.” She realizes the importance of encouragement and resilience in mentorship. Emma cannot wait to meet her mentor next year.
Madison, Preston HS
Madison is the second generation in her family to be supported by SSP. Both her mother and aunt went through the program and encouraged her to apply. The three of them were thrilled to receive the news that Madison will be a part of SSP for the next four years at Preston.
Madison says her eagerness to attend Preston comes from her several visits to the school. Each time, the kindness of the students and the range of activities stood out to her. On one of her visits, she was given a student to follow to classes and found the two of them had a great connection as well. Once, on a visit, Madison saw a chalk sketch of a body to aid in a forensics class. Between seeing this unique learning method, researching the history department, and visiting, Madison knew Preston was the school for her. For extracurriculars, she hopes to join the school newspaper as well as the coding club.
Both Madison’s mother and her high school counselor have been mentors to her, especially through the high school process. She said that she’s “excited to learn about tips and tricks for high school” from her mentor as well as hopes they will guide her as she starts to develop her career. Madison has had the example of her aunt, who is still close with her mentor from SSP.
Adam, Mount Saint Michael
Adam has been dreaming for quite some time about Mount Saint Michael, the same school from which his brother Arthur graduated in 2022. Adam recalled that almost every time he visited the school it was in order to celebrate his brother’s achievement. He looks up to his brother, who now attends Mount Saint Vincent. “He always treats me with respect.”
Adam describes his mother as his closest mentor. “She is always there for me and pushes me forward to be greater and strong,” he said. “It’s fun to have a parent as a mentor.” Acknowledging that not all people his age are fortunate enough to feel that way, he feels grateful to add another source of guidance when he meets his mentor through SSP.
Out of the 23 schools SSP is partnered with, Adam’s first choice was Mount Saint Michael. He says that the major pulls for him to attend are the athletic opportunities and the robotics club. “I love building stuff,” Adam said, and he cannot wait to be able to learn more. “I love the community, and the teachers are very respectful,” he added about the school. “Overall, my goal in life is to become a CSI and a baseball player, he said, “when I go to MSM they will prepare me for my career, and I will be able to help with evidence.”
