Inspiring the next generation of leaders
Hector Anaya learned that students do have power to influence their peers to make good choices. Kenia Navarette learned to persevere as plans changed and obstacles arose. Maria Guevara learned to accept a ‘no’ as an opportunity to improve an idea.
These valid life lessons were some of the insights shared during the third annual Spirit of Service Scholars Junior Scholar Celebration, held Saturday, April 18 on the Downtown Phoenix Campus. The Spirit of Service Scholars program, sponsored by ASU’s College of Public Service & Community Solutions, prepares the next generation of public service leaders in graduate and undergraduate programs across ASU through mentorship and community-based seminars that combine policy and action.
Through a grant from Helios Education Foundation, Scholars mentored groups of five to seven juniors and seniors (deemed “Junior Scholars”) in creating college-readiness projects that impacted the needs of their schools. This year’s Junior Scholars attended Camelback High School, Cesar Chavez High School and ASU Preparatory Academy.
Through weekly or bi-weekly meetings, ASU Scholars guided the Junior Scholars through various stages of solution-building. Junior Scholars hypothesized needs they saw in their school communities and created school-wide surveys to make data-driven decisions. They spent the year implementing the projects, networking with community allies such as the Be A Leader Foundation, reflecting and planning for project sustainability, and preparing presentations to educate the larger Spirit of Service Scholars group on outcomes and lessons learned.
At the celebration event, all 18 Juniors Scholars, joined by family members, school personnel and their Scholar mentors, presented high-quality presentations that not only demonstrated the impact they created in their schools, but showed the personal growth they experienced from the mentorship process.
“The Junior Scholars program is evidence that young people see the value of service and have the power to make an impact now, as well as in the future,” said Jessica Eldridge, Manager of Public Service Initiatives. “The level of excitement around impact and the confidence that these students built with their mentors is inspiring and promising for our future.”
The mentorship also left a lasting impression on current ASU Scholars.
“The mentorship was the most impactful part of my Scholar experience,” stated Katherine Richard, a senior economics major. “Meeting with these students, exploring their individual approaches towards college as well as the needs of their schools, brought the Spirit of Service Scholars mission to life. We got to see our impact every week as our Junior Scholars built confidence in their abilities to lead change.”
Projects:
Process of Discovery, ASU Preparatory Academy
Idea: Create a mentorship pipeline to college readiness, where college freshmen mentor juniors and seniors, who, in turn, mentor incoming high school freshmen.
Junior Scholars: Caelyn Burns, Collin Brewer, William Atkin, Sarah McClue, Stephanie Rodriguez, Jayline Martin, Maria Guevara
ASU Scholars: Courtney Carter, Devin Oakes, Katie Curiel, Emily Fritcke, Steve Elliott
Site Advisor: Philip Robertson, ASU Prep College Going Advisor
If I were a Freshman…, Cesar Chavez High School
Idea: Film high school seniors’ advice on what they wish they had known as freshmen to be prepared for college, including financial aid, community and school involvement and academic performance.
Junior Scholars: Hector Anaya, Ashley Sandoval, Serena Brackeen, Yesenia Castillo, Oscar Popoca, Shayla Gary
ASU Scholars: John Gallagher, Lauren Bacon, Katherine Richard, Anika Larson, Cory Tyszka
Site Advisor: Alesa Patterson, Librarian and AVID Coordinator
Camelback Career Chats, Camelback High School
Idea: Link juniors with professionals in meaningful, small-group exploration and discussion to explore academic and experience pathways to fields and careers of interest.
Junior Scholars: Samantha Dubell, Katie Noble, Kenia Navarette, Jayleen Espinoza, Yanairi Guillen
ASU Scholars: Lauren Twigg, Leah Fiacco, German Cadenas, Jeffrey Ong, Imelda Ojeda
Site Advisor: Cynthia Adams, Counselor