Learning the ropes early

The Baltimore Sun

Woodlawn High School was almost empty on a recent day, except for a group of boys in Room 228.

The rising freshmen, all wearing khaki shorts and matching yellow T-shirts, had spent the morning researching their career goals.

While several of the boys said they wanted to be professional athletes, their classmate Jordan Hall did not. After having spent time in the kitchen with his mother, the 14-year-old, who said that "sports aren't everything," wants to be a chef.

The boys are part of Youth REACH (Resilience, Effort, Awareness, Creativity, Honesty). The summer program, designed to prepare incoming freshmen for their four years at Woodlawn High, is another in a series of efforts by the student organization 100 Strong Male Role Models to give youngsters at the Baltimore County school the tools to succeed.

The three-week program will help 31 boys get used to the layout of the building, make friends and get advice and guidance from upperclassmen.

Through writing exercises, group discussions, field trips and time in the computer lab, the camp focuses on teaching the boys social survival skills and building character.

In the past three years, 100 Strong Male Role Models has grown from about 10 students to almost 150. It organizes activities such as food drives and school beautification projects. The group also works with the Baltimore County school system's Minority Achievement Advisory Group.

Of the 57 members of 100 Strong who graduated last spring, all have continued their education, entered the military or pursued employment, said group adviser Dean Scott, who runs a course on peer counseling at Woodlawn.

The organization has been such a success that a group for girls was started at Woodlawn, and other struggling schools from Connecticut to Kansas are exploring the idea. In March, 14 Woodlawn members went to Chicago to meet with a similar organization at a high school there.

Woodlawn is one of the county's largest high schools, and it has struggled to meet state assessment standards. The dropout rate is above the county average, and in 2006 about 20 percent of students passed the state algebra exam.

This summer, nine members of 100 Strong are spending their time planning and running the summer program for their younger schoolmates. Youth REACH is trying to get a head start on promoting its mission of self-confidence, mutual respect and leadership to the new students.

"If they surround themselves with people who are positive, then they will be positive, too," said Jermaine Isaac, a rising senior and president of 100 Strong Male Role Models.

The free program runs through next week. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided for the students.

The program does not just focus on high school, but also on what happens at the end of those four years. Thursday's discussion of career options was designed to complement a field trip to Goucher College last Wednesday.

The boys, who toured the Goucher campus and dorms, and met with a professor, said they were impressed by the college and everything it had to offer.

"They had horseback riding," said Jordan. "I didn't think college had horseback riding."

Other visits include the Community College of Baltimore County at Catonsville, the Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, the Reginald Lewis Museum and Six Flags America amusement park.

Jacquex Ben, 14, who wants to be an accountant, chef or artist, went to the program to find tips for improving his grades and to get used to the new school.

"They are real to you," he said of the counselors. "They don't try to be like teachers."

jenny.hopkinson@baltsun.com

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