the idealist, fall 2015

volume 4issue 1

08 Where We Serve12 Our Starfish22 We WEar the Khakis

WeAreBack.( AND BETTER THAN EVER )

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 l cityyear.org l October 2015 October 2015 l cityyear.org l 3

12 16 18 Success Storiesfrom around CBus

SPOTLIGHT

IMPA

CT

The recipes that fuel our workday

Love, Snickers, and PITWs

22Learn a little about the people behind the vest

8 Profiles and facts from the schools where we serve this year

SchoolHighlights

INSPIRE pG.12

pG.22

pG.8

StarfishStories

Dear,Idealist

CorpsCooking Corner

Corps Member Spotlight

RED JACKET

BALLApril 23, 2016

6-9pm

Hilton Downtown Columbus401 N. High Street

Columbus Ohio, 43215

SAVE THE DATE

Featureing Keynote SpeakerBRYAN STEVENSON

PRESENTING SPONSOR

CREDITS

4 l cityyear.org l October 2015

We bring this magazine to life

OUR MISSION

OUR COMMITTEE Contributors

The IDEALIST exists to cultivate a culture of inspiration by showcasing the talents of our corps members and highlighting our service and impact within our community and our schools.

Zandra Casto

Tommy G. Meade Jr.

Abigayle Lutz

Brooklyn Martinez

Claire Gaglione

Bethlehem Aderajew

Cece Wooldridge

Chinonso Aladi

Malak Miari

Erin Jenkins

Contact us Send a letter to the editor, submit a Starfish Story, or share something your student said.

City Year ColumbusThe Idealist

35 N 4th StreetColumbus, OH 43215

[email protected]

What we believe

We’d love to chat

I’M THE PERSON WHO WEARSTHE BOOTS AND THE JACKET AND SAYS

“I WILL BE HERE FOR YOU. NO MATTER WHAT.”

December 2013 l cityyear.org l 7

IMPACT

The purpose of our service is to help students get on track. There are days when the difference we’re making isn’t easy for us to see. Students

aren’t always appreciative of our presence. Our passion that called us to a year of service isn’t always forefront in our minds, and sometimes the only thought in our heads seems to be: “this is hard...” (PITW, anyone?). But, even if it’s not clear to us every day, we ARE making a difference in our

schools, in our communities, and in the lives of our students. The Impact section serves as a reminder to us all that we are making a difference

every day, and that difference deserves to be recognized and celebrated.

LIVINGSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Livingston Elementary is quickly becoming the pride of the South Side! The Livingston Lions face community-wide concerns of transience,

inconsistent food access, and a high percentage of students that need behavior support, but school staff are meeting those challenges with tenacity and positivity. A host of new and in-development behavior measures aid the community by creating responsibility, driving positive feedback, and encouraging leadership in its students. Stacie

Harris-McCarthy, Livingston’s principal, has played a huge role in that change. As we head into our second year of partnership with Livingston in grades 3-6, we have been delighted to find that teachers are excited to work with us and support us in our work—even with a 50% new staff! Though we definitely still have our work cut out for us, we are so lucky to be working in such a vibrant and loving community.

One of City Year’s newest partners, Trevitt Elementary, is located right in the middle of the neighborhood it serves. City Year serves

in third through fifth grade classrooms alongside teachers helping them implement the Common Core curriculum, and encouraging students to work hard to meet the goals set by our new principal, Mr. Stanley Embry. The school has opportunities for the students to be involved in the through programs like Safety Patrol, the daily morning news team, breakfast and lunch room helpers, and playground monitors. Trevitt also offers after school activities such as the S.T.E.P. Team, Student Council, choir,

band, and the drum line. The City Year corps will also soon have an afterschool tutoring space, leadership lunch clubs, and educational after school events for the whole family.

Trevitt has an enrollment of 195 students, 88% of which are black, 7% are white and 5% are two or more races. City Year works each day to achieve some lofty goals with these students, chief among them 95% attendance, and one year of academic growth based on student’s MAP test scores. We hope to build some pride for our Trevitt Tigers!

Trevitt Elementary School

Population: about 700 studentsDate of Establishment: 1927Fun Fact: Linden’s facilities were recently renovated. The new building has elements from the original building, including exposed brick in the main atrium. Location: LindenTeacher to Student Ratio: 18:1, 75 staff, 43 full-time teachersGrades CY Serves: 7-10Mascot: PanthersNumber of Corps Members Serving: 8 Corps Members, 2 Team LeadersMission Statement: The mission of Linden McKinley STEM Academy is the relentless quest of an academic focus through the integration of real-world applications, and an unyielding commitment to challenge each and every student to discover their own potential and persevere toward personal greatness

Date Established: Early 1970sLocation: 3245 Oak Spring St, Columbus, OH 43219 (Near Easton Mall)Mission: Mifflin High School is a student-oriented community dedicated to academic excellence, pride, leadership, and service.Vision: We value and respect each other while aspiring to reach our full potential as responsible citizens in a global society. Punchers are present and prepared to promote excellence through personal accountability, parental involvement, and positive relationships.School Motto: Begin with the end in mind.Administration: Kimberly Normand (Principal)

Demographics: - Male: 55%, Female: 45%- Black: 81.7%, Hispanic: 8.6%, White: 6.3%, Asian: 1.5%- ESL*: about 25%*Mifflin has diverse ethnic distribution compared to some schools in the district, many of our ESL students are of Somali and Nepali descent.

School Mascot: PunchersSchool Colors: Royal Blue and WhiteStudents Enrolled: About 1170 StudentsGrades CY Serves: 9th and 10thNumber of Corps Members including Team Leader: 8Years that City Year has been at Mifflin: 4

LINDEN McKINLEY STEM ACADEMY

MIFFLIN HIGH SCHOOL

IMPACT


Malak MiariFirst Year AmeriCorps Member

City Year Columbus

Em WhiteFirst Year AmeriCorps Member

City Year Columbus

Bethlehem AderajewSecond Year AmeriCorps Member

City Year Columbus

Abby LutzFirst Year AmeriCorps Member

City Year Columbus

CHAMPION MIDDLE SCHOOL

Champion Middle School is one of the two new school

site partnerships with City Year Columbus! During

this 2015-2016 academic year the founding team

consists of one Impact Manager, one Team Leader, and five

Americorps Members collaborating together to establish a

strong start in this new partnership. Champion Middle School

is on the Southeast Side of Columbus, Ohio. The primary

Champion Middle School, known as Champion Avenue

School, was built in 1909 as the first fireproof school, a historic

school building of Columbus, Ohio. The school’s first building

was built and made into an all-black school because it was

the heart of a growing African American community, and

not because it was legally defined as an all-black school. In

September of 2009 the school relocated only a few blocks

away where it exists today. City Year Columbus is excited of

this new partnership to move forward together in the Near

East community.

At Champion Middle School, every student is given the

opportunity to develop their leadership, and social and

academic skills in order to become a successful member

of society. And in the classroom, students are equipped

with 21st century skills by experiencing rigorous, relevant,

and engaging lessons. Champion offers academic support

programs during and after school to help students help

themselves to solve problems including, Twilight School, a

program that extends the day for targeted students that are

struggling in order to address academic needs, and our

Literacy/School Improvement Coaches, who helps to monitor

student data, and also to identify areas of intervention for

each subject area per month and assists with intervention

strategies. The school mascot at Champion is the Tiger, and

the school’s motto is an incredible way to motivate and get

students on track to success:

Gear up to be College Bound, Success is the only option, I am a Leader, I am a Scholar, I am a Citizen, I am Successful, I am a Champion

Mission: Each student is highly educated, prepared for leadership and service, and empowered for success as a citizen in a

global community.

Vision Statement: We will meet students where they are and move them at least one level on the student achievement

continuum as defined by the Ohio Department of education. This will be accomplished through achieving at least one year’s worth

of growth through one year’s worth of instruction. We will capitalize and maximize on ALL of our student’s potential for growth.

Date Established: March 31st, 1924, Renovated in 2009

Population: About 1150 students

Demographics

- Total minority enrollment: 73%

- Asian Enrollment: 1%

- Black Enrollment: 67%

- Hispanic Enrollment: 2%

- Two or more races: 3%

- Male: 55%

- Female: 45%

South High School

Administration:

- Mr. Edmund Baker (HS principal)

- Sherri Edwards (MS principal)

Mascot: Bulldogs

Grades served: 7th-10th

Location: 1160 Ann St. Columbus, OH 43206

Number of Corps Members: 14 (including TL’s)

City year has been serving with South High School

for 4 years.

October 2015 l cityyear.org l 11

IMPACT


INSPIRE

INSPIRE: verb; to provoke a particular feeling in someone; to cause creative activity. The Idealist strives to inspire Corps Members this

month with various articles, including Starfish Stories showcasing Corps Members’ successes with students; a section highlighting one Corps

Member who especially demonstrates and upholds one of City Year’s ten core values; Dear Idealist answers all questions from the Corps; sharing the best practices in each area of our service; and a Health Zone offering

numerous tips on staying healthy throughout our year of service.

OOOOO

Michaela KimAmeriCorps Team Leader

City Year Columbus

Brooklyn MartinezFirst Year AmeriCorps Member

City Year Columbus

Sitting down with a rebellious teenager and speaking about the basic task of coming to school regularly, and on time, is like crawling in a cruel, sun-beat desert. It is more than hard work, and at times, can

seem like an impossible task. But City Year is always ready! We strive to change students’ attitudes about attendance and harp on the importance of being present in the classroom. With diligent efforts as a core and genuine support from our partner teachers, we capitalize on every opportunity to make a difference. At the beginning of the school year, I met SG, an indolent, uncertain sophomore who reeked of southern trimming. “I’m from Alabama,” he says, during our first 1-on-1 conference, “peoples in Alabama are neva on time. They a day late and a dolla short.”Although the conversation was concise and explanatory, SG continued to arrive 30 minutes late to school unprepared and with a lot of excuses:

“My grandpops ran out of gas.”“My brotha made me late.”“Moms was taking too long.”“I was feeling sick.”“You know I come late, it’s a regular thing down south.”The list continues.

Unfortunately, SG embraces the negative side. He points fingers, blames others, and fails to see what his actions are doing to his grades, especially in the first and third block of English Composition. It was a challenge getting him to take school seriously, and you can just forget setting goals. SG was not having any of it. With patience, perseverance, and a lot of prayer on my end, SG finally got on board with the objective: to come to school regularly and on time, prepared for class. He has been more attentive to his attendance, and because of that, he has been able to increase his previous grade one whole letter grade because of the missing assignments that he has been able to turn in. A regular in the breakfast line now, his decisions to come to school shows that he is going through a healthy form of exploration while developing a positive sense of self-awareness.

STARFISHSTORIES

I have a student who I am working with in my behavior group, the Trevitt Troopers. He is usually argumentative and always wants to do the opposite of whatever anyone is saying. While we were doing our check-in on Monday, I gave him the goal to stop

tipping his chair at least two times when asked throughout the week. As usual, he protested and refused to write his goal. After explaining to him why I want him to work towards this goal and show me how he can be a leader in the classroom, he started to write down the goal. As he was writing, I noticed he had written that he would stop tipping in his chair three times during the week. I pointed this out to him and told him that the goal was two times. He looked up at me with the biggest smile and said, “I know, but I’m going to be a leader and do it three times!

C lass has started. “You’re late,” the teacher says as a student walks into class, bringing her boisterous personality with her. She stops in her tracks looks at the teacher and says with a big sigh “ Why you gotta always be on my case?! Dang everyone on my case!” Class proceeds, as

she interrupts the teacher, walking aimlessly around the classroom and scribbling on her paper as if we were in a doddle session instead of math class. This has happened for a good 4 weeks since I have met Sydney. I found that redirecting her took a lot of my time and patience. I knew she would be on one of my focus lists by the end of week 4. However, I did not know that by the end of week 5 I would receive a heartfelt letter written from her.

After working through 5 problems with me Sydney was burnt out. I told her “if you’re not going to do more math problems as of now, do something productive like write a letter to someone you want to get to know better or a teacher you could ask for extra help.” As it turns out, she wrote me a letter. Her act of kindness took me aback and by the time I read it I knew she was my first starfish student. This letter was the opposite of what I’ve encountered in the classroom the last 5 weeks. This student who wrote me the letter showed self awareness, growth mindset. The letter writer was a student who wanted the best for herself and her education, but just needed a little extra guidance. This letter from my starfish student taught me one of the most important lessons I will learn in this program: we can learn as much from students as they can learn from us.


INSPIRE


Brooklyn MartinezFirst Year AmeriCorps Member

City Year Columbus

Tiara BostockFirst Year AmeriCorps Member

City Year Columbus

Amyleigh AppleFirst Year AmeriCorps Member

City Year Columbus

As a second year corps member, I’ve had the privilege to continue supporting some

of the same students I worked with last school year. I’m very fortunate to continue working with one student in particular: my starfish. As a freshman, he had quite a reputation follow him from the growing number of suspensions and expulsions compiled from previous schools. Little did I know the impact this young man would have on me. I worked closely with him in all of his classes. I was invested in his success but his behavior prevented him from reaching his fullest potential. Half way through the school year, he ended up in legal trouble and it became even more essential for him to get his act together. He felt everyone was against him and I refused to be yet another adult pointing out all the things he was doing wrong. We ended off the school year on a strong note, but I feared that progress

would be lost over summer break.Three months later, we were reunited on the first day of school. I was slightly nervous about his regression but my nerves were quickly calmed. Something about him seemed different; he had a change of heart

and it was reflected by his positive attitude towards himself, his peers and teachers. He’s transforming into the young leader I always knew he had the potential to be. At one point he couldn’t even recall the last time he had a passing grade in a math class. Well, he currently has a B in math and is excelling in all his other subjects. He’s on his way to making honor roll!

A week ago he excitedly approached me

to inform me that his charges were dropped. Things are starting to turn around for my starfish and although I tell him on a constant basis, I have no words to truly express how proud I am. I’m so fortunate to continue this journey with him in his sophomore year.

he had a change of

heart and it was

reflected by his

positive attitude

towards himself, his

peers and teachers.

He’s transforming

into the young leader

I always knew he had

the potential to be.

““

Last year, I worked with a student who was held back and was very angry and sad. She really struggled

academically and exhibited her frustration with behavioral challenges. She refused to do work, picked on other students, wouldn’t talk to adults, and got into fights almost daily. When tested on our behavior rating scale she scored in the high-needs category and she was selected for my behavior focus list.

We had lunch together at least once a week and worked on proper responses to tough situations. She was given monthly behavior goals and by the spring she was meeting them with ease. She was doing so well that she was invited to speak at our Red Jacket Ball and told the crowd that City Year taught her not to give up and to make sure she always talked through her problems.

In the spring, she began the SAIL process, which means we started implementing reading interventions to see if she was in need of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). We read together every day and she made great strides with her fluency. As a held back third grader she was reading an average of 47 words per minute, the equivalent of a first grade reading level. At the beginning of this year as a fourth grader she is up to 60 words per a minute. At the end of the year when she was tested on our behavior rating scale and scored in the typical range and labeled as “significant improvement.” She is slowly progressing and taking great pride in her education.

From what we get, we can make a living,” Arthur Ashe, one of the greatest tennis players in history, said on the things some of us want to have in life.

But life is not just about getting, it is more so, it seems to me, about what we give to others that matters most—something Arthur Ashe observed in his time, “…what we give, however, makes a life,” he continued. Giving back, Muhammed Ali says, means doing service to a cause greater than self because that is “the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

This year, I have the amazing opportunity to dedicate my time and effort to the students at Champion Middle School, and also the school’s surrounding community—a cause much bigger and greater than me. City Year is the vehicle that gives me the opportunity to build relationships with students from different backgrounds. And several students has already made an impact on the way that I look at life, and what it means to be a children and youth advocate.

One of my students in particular, who is now one of my personal favorites, has grown on me in only a short period of time, and has rapidly improved on his behavior and the quality of work turned in so far under my mentorship. He is my starfish story.

And I’m happy that I can be the mentor he can count on every day at school.

Last week, my student completed and turned in all of his homework with little help from me. This week, he says, he doesn’t really need my help. But he wants to help himself solve difficult challenges instead.

But I’m still there to annoy and help him when needed. In addition, he still keeps the little posted note I had made for him stating, “Thanks for completing all of your homework this week!” on his school homework binder. That lets me know that it’s not about me, but rather about the cause that matters here.

“


INSPIRE


Bethlehem AderajewSecond Year AmeriCorps Member

City Year Columbus

Jaimee FliggAmeriCorpsTeam Leader

City Year Columbus

Tommy G. Meade Jr.First Year AmeriCorps Member

City Year Columbus

I feel like I keep making a lot of mistakes when it comes to my intervention plans. I say or do one wrong thing and the students loses all respect for me. Any tips on how can I turn a mishap into a brilliant lesson plan? -- BUNGLER IN COLUMBUS

DEAR IDEALIST,

DEAR BUNGLER,We all mistakes, and that’s okay. It’s all a matter of how you use those mistakes for your advantage the next time you interact with that student. If you try to be kind by giving a student a Snickers bar, but they’re allergic to peanuts, it’s not the end of the world. Sure, they went to the hospital, but then you can use that in your next intervention. Consider a math problem like: “Last Wednesday, it took the ambulance 9 minutes to get from the school to the hospital. Assuming the ambulance was driving at 35mph, how far away is the hospital from the school?” You want to always make your lesson plans relatable to the students, and your mistakes are something fun everyone can enjoy! All mistakes can fall under the “lesson prep” category. Good luck!

These early mornings and long days seem to really keep my romance time down. My love life has touched the ground, been brought back up, and broken down again. I’m stretched too thin for a relationship. Please help.-- DOWNHEARTED IN COLUMBUS

DEAR IDEALIST,

D E A R

I D E A L I S T

Let’s start with PITW #8: “City Year-Ize” Everything. Don’t stretch yourself, just bring City Year with you to your love life. Now, I am not saying to start dating another CM at South High. YOU KNOW you can save that for your LACY plan. To edit the PITW just a little, I say Lesson Plan Everything. You wouldn’t go into a pull out without a lesson plan, so why go into a date without one? Share with your date your key points and objectives, so they know exactly what you want at the end. Already got a significant other, but still struggling to balance? Lesson planning can be your romance time. Light a candle, put on your favorite khakis, and write practice arithmetic problems together. I wish my Sig. O would do that with me.

My alarm clock broke, and I’m worried I won’t get to school on time. Any advice?-- STILL SLEEPING IN COLUMBUS

DEAR IDEALIST,

DEAR DOWNHEARTED,

DEAR STILL SLEEPING,Wow, great question. There are many wonderful solutions, I’d just like to name a few. You can get a new alarm clock for $15. If you have a smartphone (and I’m sure you do), you can use the clock app to wake yourself up. You can change your laptop setting so your computer never falls asleep and use an internet timer to wake you up. Is this Mr. Horan? I feel like this is Mr. Horan asking this question. Just go to school in your van and sleep. Have someone wake you up when they get to school. Don’t sleep: if you don’t sleep you don’t need an alarm clock. Sleep in the kitchen and set your stove timer to go off by 5:00am. Send yourself mail by pigeon and ask the pigeon not to deliver it until it’s time for you to wake up. I suggest the note says “just set an alarm on your phone!” Good luck!

INSPIRE


CORPSCOOKINGCORNERBacon Cheese BreadCece Wooldridge, Mifflin High School Team

First Year Americorps Member

“This is good for an appetizer or for a party. I also

sometimes eat it for dinner!”

Ingredients:

1 round sourdough loaf

1/2 pound of bacon, cooked and chopped

3 tablespoons of butter, melted

1 1/2 cups of desired cheese, shredded (I use a

combination of mozzarella and cheddar)

Optional: Chopped green onions

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut bread both ways

all the way across (like a chess board) leaving

about a quarter inch from bottom. Stuff crevices

evenly with bacon, cheese and onions. Drizzle

butter on top. Wrap bottom and edges with foil,

place on baking sheet and bake in oven for 15-20

minutes, or until cheese is melty and bread toasty.

Enjoy!

Pasta and MeatballsChinonso Aladi, Mifflin High School Team

First Year Americorps Member

“I love pasta, and this recipe is easy and simple to

make!”

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

1 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 small green bell pepper, diced

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

2 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons dried basil

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

Combine ground beef, onion, garlic, and green

pepper in a large saucepan. Cook and stir until

meat is brown and vegetables are tender. Drain

grease and set aside. Stir diced tomatoes, tomato

sauce, and tomato paste into the pan. Season with

oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer spaghetti

sauce for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Once

spaghetti is properly cooked, mix it with cooked

tomatoes and cooked beef. Cook for 3 minutes and

it’s all set.

Root Beer FloatTommy G. Meade Jr, Champion Middle School Team, First Year Americorps Member

“The summer is over. But it’s always a great time for root beer floats! You can easily whip up this quick recipe in

under five minutes.”

Ingredients:

Vanilla ice cream

Root beer

Directions:

Place a few scoops of vanilla ice cream into 2 tall float glasses. Pour the root beer over the ice cream and top with a

dollop of whipped cream. (Recipe courtesy of Bobby Flay)

Friendly Breakfast Sandwiches Bethlehem Aderajew, Mifflin High School Team, First Year Americorps Member

“Here’s a recipe that’d be great for corps members since we’re so short on time in the mornings!”

Ingredients:

10 large eggs

1 cup whole milk

1 teaspoon kosher salt

6 slices bacon (optional)

Directions:

Heat the oven to 375°F: Place one rack in the lower third and another rack in the upper third of the oven. Make the

eggs: Whisk the eggs together with the milk and salt in a large mixing bowl. Film a 9x13 baking pan with cooking

spray, and pour the eggs into the pan. Place on the lower rack in the oven. Bake until the eggs are puffed around

the edges with golden spots, and a paring knife inserted in the middle comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool

completely. Make the bacon (optional): Line a baking sheet with foil. Lay the bacon on the baking sheet in a single

layer with no pieces overlapping. Turn up the edges of the foil to catch the grease. Place the bacon on the upper

rack in the oven and bake until the bacon is crispy, 15 to 20 minutes. When finished, transfer the bacon to a plate

lined with paper towels to drain. When cool, break each piece in half to make them easier to fit on the sandwiches.

Slice the cheese: If you haven’t already done so, slice 6 pieces of cheese. Toast the English muffins: When the eggs

and the bacon are both finished, place the English muffins cut-side-up on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for

just a few minutes, until the edges are toasted. If desired, you can brush the muffins with butter before toasting.

Cut out the egg rounds: Use a spatula to lift the eggs out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Using a large biscuit

cutter or drinking glass (roughly the same size as your English muffins), cut 6 rounds out of the eggs. (The scraps

can be used to make more sandwiches if you have extra English muffins, or they can go in salads, stir-fries, or other

quick meals during the week.) Assemble the sandwiches: Lay the bottom halves of the English muffins in a row on

your counter. Top each one with an egg round, a slice of cheese, and 2 pieces of bacon (if using). Finish by adding

the muffin tops.

6 slices cheese, like cheddar,

Monterey jack, or Swiss

6 English muffins

Whipped cream


INSPIRE



SPOTLIGHT

Here at the IDEALIST, we use our Spotlight section to showcase our unique and individual personalities. Yes, we are here for service, and we serve everyday to fight the dropout crisis - but each of us has our own unique story: where we come from, why we serve, what issues we’re

passionate about. We’re all different, and we all bring something differ-ent to the table. So in this section, expect to see a little bit about who we are, not just as Corps Members, but as individuals, and hopefully you’ll begin to understand, as we do, just how impressive our Corps

really is.

MallorIE MoodyBorn August 31st

From Columbus, OhioWorks at Mifflin HS in 10th grade ELA

I couldn’t live without Cinnabon cinnamon rolls. I threw a fit when I thought the Easton location closed for good. I was ready to contact the corporate office.

The best gift I ever recieved was an airline ticket so that I could attend the Grammy awards. Best gift ever and didn’t come out of pocket.

Between tea and coffee I’d choose tea. Better health benefits.

Would I eat a bowl of crickets for $50,000? You could never pay me enough.

My life motto is: “Live your dreams.” I also have it tattooed.

AlvianWilliams

Born September 29thFrom Toledo, OHWorks at LMSA in 7th grade math

I could never pick one place to live forever because I am a nomad and I want to experience as many cultures as I can. I would make the world my home!

The last thing I bought was a 6oz sirloin steak with vegetables and a Caesar salad from Texas Roadhouse, it made my

stomach and soul rejoice.

If I was a poptart flavor I would by my favorite: cherry-frosted!

It always brightens my mood whenever I get to talk to my nieces and nephews! Since I’m not home often, seeing pictures of them is always great because it helps me to feel like I’m still around to witness them

growing up.

My definition of success is someone achieving whatever goals and aspirations they have in the time frame that they CHOOSE. It means deriving a sense of fulfillment when they conquer their goals. One of my favorite quotes about success is by Albert Schweitzer. “Success is not the key to happiness,” he said. “Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

SPOTLIGHT


Alex PassafiumeBorn March 25th From Fairport Harbor, OHWorks at Trevitt ES in 4th grade ELA/Math

The first thing I’d do if I won the lottery is buy something nice for my mom.

The most daring thing I’ve ever done is ask a girl on a date.

The strongest of my 5 senses is my sight, I see everything and my students hate it…lol.

Working at McDonalds was my first job. I worked there for two months when I was 16 and was close to being fired before I quit. I have improved my work habits since then.

Three things I’d take on a desert island? 1) My dad because he knows a lot about survival. 2) A raft to float on because I love chilling in the ocean. 3) A drill so I could drill coconuts and drink out them with ease.

JonathanHuang

Born August 12th From Chiang Mai, Thailand or Milwaukee, WI

Works at Livingston ES in 3rd grade ELA/Math

I would love to be stuck in an elevator with Alex Passafiume because I feel like he will

freak out and then I can just watch and make fun of him. We would probably talk about how

we’re going to be stuck forever, and how we’re going to ration the Snickers bar in my pocket.

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because I love Thanksgiving food, pies, and friendship.

The worst gift I’ve ever recieved was cat litter one time for a Christmas white elephant gift.

I would never give up on my notebooks and

journals, even for a million dollars.

Morning Routine: I wake up, turn off my alarm on my iPhone, turn on my lamp, put on my

slippers, slink to the bathroom, brush my teeth, tame my hair, put on my clothes

while boiling water on the stove, make oatmeal, make my bed, eat oatmeal, put on my shoes,

and walk out of the door.

SPOTLIGHT


Mol

lyHe

inm

ille

r

Born March 15From Gahanna, OHWorks at South HS in 8th grade English

When it’s snowing I like sledding, eating grilled cheese, and not driving.

The strangest thing I have eaten was escargot. I did not like the texture, but the taste was not bad at all.

I have three favorite desserts: apple crisp with ice cream, strawberry shortcake, and anything s’mores flavored. If I could have a little sample of each, that would make the perfect dessert for me.

I would like to live in the Mediterranean region. I would travel all around the area while living there, specifically to Greece, Italy, and Morocco.


SPOTLIGHT


more than just a hashtag

“You guys came from all parts of the country to help regular kids like me, and for that I say thank you”

#MAKEBETTERHAPPEN

ONE OF MY STUDENTS INCREASED HER SRI READING SCORE BY 1 WHOLE GRADE LEVEL AND HER ATTENDANCE HAS DRASTICALLY IMPROVED! #MAKEBETTERHAPPEN

MY STARFISH STUDENT:“I TOLD YOU I WOULDN’T FORGET YOU.. .WHEN I TRIED TO GIVE UP, YOU MOTIVATED ME.” INSPIRED. #MAKEBETTERHAPPENREAL STORIES.

REAL SUCCESS.IN REAL TIME.

City Year Columbus

35 N. 4th St. Lower Level Columbus, Ohio 43215

phone: (614) 586-4520 web: cityyear.org/columbusfacebook: CityYearCbus twitter: @CityYearCbus

the idealist, fall 2015

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