Pathways to Success engages students
A series of events was held for students in the Pathways to Success educational and mentoring program, and to honor 2018 Delaware Teacher of the Year Virginia Forcucci of Sussex Technical High School. Forcucci received a grant upon receiving the distinction of Teacher of the Year, which she chose to contribute to the Pathways to Success program, a special support curriculum in place at Cape Henlopen, Sussex Tech and Seaford high schools. It focuses on preparing at-risk youth, adults and their families for successful lives.
Pathways to Success is a before- and after-school program that helps mentor and support children in high-risk situations. This program aids in the social, emotional and cultural needs of young adults at the high school level, and continues to be available for them one year after graduation. “We cover topics from A to Z, in an open discussion among mentors and students regarding anything that needs to be addressed around the clock. We want these children to expand their horizons, and realize that they are each unique and successful. Peer interaction is key, and we want our students to carry the conversation in whatever ventures they pursue,” said William Waters, Pathways coordinator at Cape Henlopen High School.
The proceedings March 28 at both Movies at Midway and The Clubhouse at Baywood focused on giving students a voice regarding any issues or problems they face daily, whether at school or in their home lives. The day began with students attending the movie “Black Panther” to gauge the idea of overcoming obstacles and paving their own road to success. After the screening, students from all three high schools boarded a bus on their way to a catered luncheon at The Clubhouse at Baywood.
This event briefly honored Forcucci, who said, “We need to start uplifting the voices of our students, because everyone has a right to be heard. We need to teach students how to self-advocate and grow in a positive manner. Self-awareness leads to communal awareness.” She gave way to the students and engaged in useful activities to relate their lives with the movie. The focus of the first set of exercises was to ask students about the movie and which character they felt they related closest to. Students had many responses to the movie, citing its characters’ overall sense of empowerment, positivity and strength. Many of the students wished to be just like the hero but found obstacles to overcome if they were to be heroes in the lives of others. In the movie, the main character uses the fictional element “Vibranium” to bring strength and power to his land, and help aid him in creating a more positive and safe environment. The students were posed the question by Sussex Tech Pathways Coordinator Jacques Bowe, “How would you use Vibranium if it was available to you?” Responses included: influence others to do good for themselves and the community, present positive influences to others, spread help among those who are in need, grant equal access to all necessary services for all, and create unity.
While students realized this was not the easiest task, and things like Vibranium do not actually exist, it was important for them to allow their positive voices to be heard; this is something strongly advocated by Pathways to Success. Students were then asked, “What challenges do you face in your life?” At first, the room seemed to be silent because of fear of embarrassment or judgement, but then students began to stand up and share their struggles in life with the entire room. Some students were very emotional telling their stories, including such things as not having the luxuries of money, problems at home, lack of parental guidance or presence, making friends, and receiving the encouragement they desperately need and deserve. As students brought up these issues, others listened intently, some even relating to the person with the microphone more than they thought. It was important for these children to know that they are not alone in facing issues in life, and they can lean on someone else to make it through.
“It is time for you to start dreaming again; you should believe in yourself because you have what it takes to succeed. We need to take action – you’ve been suffering for too long,” said Bowe while wrapping up the event. He asked the students to feel for a pulse, and added, “If you found your pulse, you found your purpose.”
“When we look to tackle something global, we forget about the individuals. We need to help fix ourselves to make a difference in the larger scope of things. We focus on these children because they are our future, and I resonate with these children. We are committed to continuing the conversation of empowerment,” said Director and Founder Fay Blake of Pathways to Success.
More information regarding this program is available at https://www.pathways-2-success.org/.
