During the 2018-2019 school year, I had the opportunity to be the site director for 12PLUS At Kensington Health Sciences Academy. 12PLUS is a non-profit focusing on linking high school students in underserved schools with college and career options for after graduation. Throughout the years that 12PLUS has partnered with KHSA, we have pivoted our student and school needs by expanding our programming and embedding ourselves into the school’s culture.
This past school year, we supported our ninth graders in collaboration with our ninth-grade success team through 12PLUS’s RAISE programming. Emphasizing the importance of attendance, hard work, and goal setting as well as the understanding of credits and GPA, RAISE helps freshmen get acclimated to high school. At the end of the program, students wrote letters to incoming freshman, which can be found throughout my photo essay below.
Our 12PLUS team hosted two culture events throughout the past year — College Week and Career Day. College Week was full of informational sessions from colleges and trade schools, college-related games created by our staff, post-secondary pathways research, and alumni panel sessions. Our Career Day hosted ten professionals from various occupations who students were able to engage with to ask questions about their professions and educational pathways while discussing their own career goals and aspirations.
Our KHSA team also supported the classes of 2019 and 2020 by hosting college and trade school informational sessions from schools such as Holy Family University, Indiana University of PA, Kutztown University, La Salle University, Community College of Philadelphia, Job Corps, and more. Additionally, we hosted over 20 workshops focusing on post-secondary and college fit research, financial aid and scholarships, college campus resources, and resume building.
While a lot of our work is centered around creating programs and events, listening and embracing our students is a huge and necessary component of our work. This looks different for each student. Sometimes, it involves taking a walk down the block with a student and allowing them to vent while listening to their stories. Other times, it may look like chaperoning trips to celebrating the end of senior year, college acceptances, and starting a new chapter in life.
Though we identify as a post-secondary non-profit, the friendships and bonds we create are greater than that. Throughout this photo essay, I wanted to capture the hope and joy that prevails within our students. Each of them has so much potential and pushes through the negative stereotypes and stigmas associated with them to ensure they receive their education. It has been amazing to witness our students blossom throughout the years and accomplish goals many did not think were achievable.
What did you think about this story? Send a note to editors@kensingtonvoice.com, and we’ll consider publishing it in our Voices section. You can also tell us what you think in person at our neighborhood events.
Editor: Siani Colón / Story Designer: Jillian Bauer-Reese / Translator: Kristine Aponte
