Brave Young Migrant Students Choosing thier Own Models

Earlier this month, I had the amazing opportunity to meet some truly incredible young men from Toppenish High School. Not only were these migrant high school students kind, well-mannered and very well put-together, but they were also gracious about sharing thier experiences (both possitive and completely gut-wrenching) at Toppenish High.

These boys are participating in a program that was started by Jeane Williamson, Toppenish High's Migrant Graduation Specialist (also a member of the State Advisory Committee for Migrant Education- aren't we lucky!!!). The program is called Hospitality Court, and was created as a way for parents and others to feel comfortable and welcome at the high school. The outcome of this program, as evidenced by the boys' confidence and professionalism, has far exceeded its initial goal.

Jeane is clearly very proud of her boys, and she should be! Each of the young men, in turn, introduced himself to the State Advisory Committee, talked a bit about his experience in Hospitality Court and what his life had been like before he began. From thier stories, a consistent picture was painted of the difficult choice that had been their reality until recently: join a gang, or live in fear. Also consistent in each story was the positive impact made by the single choice to dress up for Hospitality Court. Jeane says that she didn't have the expectation that the boys would have any particular uniform for their work, but that one of the students, on his own, decided to start wearing a suit. Upon feeling the difference in the way that people looked at him and treated him, he continued to do so, and now, slowly, the other young men have joined him.

When asked if they have felt any static from the other kids in the high school over their participation in the Court (they have to greet students and visitors alike with a smile and handshake), or their choice of dress, they said that they hadn't. Somehow, the respect that they are showing others in their role, is mirrored back at them. Many of the boys talked about the possibilities that they now see for their future that just weren't clear to them before this experience. Jeane is taking their act on the road and exposing her stars to as many different professional settings as possible. If you ask, she just might bring them to your program...

This is a perfect illustration of the power of a Migrant Graduation Specialist and a few brave men!