This week will be our third week of YESS, and so far things are going fantastic. Week by week our numbers are increasing with students who are eager to get the help. We have a great number of students who are returning from last year showing the new kids what we expect from them once they enter the cafeteria.

You have read Jazmin and Noelia’s story. Now, here is a short summary on how things are going for Randi Slife this year. A mentee from last year who has now transitioned to a mentor this year.

 

 

   Hi, my Name is Randi Slife. Last year I was a mentee and it helped me out a lot. This year I have decided to be a mentor. Today I have met my mentee Marlen. I am looking forward to working with her and giving her the support she needs. My experience so far is great! I am getting to learn about her as well as telling her about myself. I’m making sure she understands that I’m here for her not only for help in academics but in life as well. I want her to have an amazing experience like I did and I can’t wait to continue this journey with her.

 

I’m Noelia Guillen, I’m a JUNIOR and i am part of YESS, I was put in YESS because of my

attendance, grades, and maybe even attitude. I was a student who was about to be kicked out

of school, a student who wouldn't care about grades, going to class or being respectful. I was a

mess. Everyone tried to help but i never wanted help i always thought it wasn't worth it. When i

saw i really needed help it felt like everyone had given up on me. That's when Medina called me

down, on my way down I already knew who he was, I already had an idea of him and what he

was going to do. There was always bad comments about him around school, students saying

“Medina got Angel kicked out” “That dude never helps” I heard all kind of bad comments never

good ones. Once i got in his office i automatically hated him, he told me to sit down and started

to show me my middle school record, my grades, my attendance, and my behavior referrals

EVERYTHING. I was bothered because i knew who i was and what kind of student i was i knew

i was the best, so i got mad and started to give attitude, that's when he said ‘’go to class’’ and

called home, while i was going to class my mom called, she wasn't happy, she started to

scream at me saying “ when are you going to change, when is the day i wont get a call from

school telling me you're not in class or that you're failing all classes that you might not graduate

on time?” Hearing that from my mom hurt me hearing those words felt like she had given up on

me too. Later that day i got home and got in a argument with my mom, that's when she told me

we have a meeting at school next week. The week passed and it was the day of the meeting i

remember everyone was there, The principal, my advisement teacher, the athletic director, my

counselor and of course Medina. They all started to tell my mom how i was doing in school, they

showed her ALL kinds of papers i felt like they were all just trying to put my mom against me,

Medina told my mom there was a program here in school that could help, but it was going to be

based on me if i fixed my things or not they said if i didnt i was out this school, they told my mom

to sign a paper where she agrees to the contract. I didn't want to go or her to sign that paper,

but she did. The next week YESS started, i got put with Jaz, at first i didn't really like her i

thought she wasn't going to be able to help me. The weeks passed and became months my

grades were getting better, my attendance, and my attitude. I even started to try to help others

my friendship with Jaz was the best and still is, she wasn't just my mentor she was a close

friend. Jaz wouldn't just talk to me after school during YESS when she would see me in the hall

she would always ask “how are you doing?” “Did you already turn in what we did.” “Make sure to

bring down work.” She was always and still is supportive! Around February i started to do bad

again, my grades went down Medina called me down, i already knew why. I knew everything

was starting to be bad. He asked what was going on. I didn't know i just felt like i needed a

break, that day Jaz was upset. I sat down and she stared at me and all she said was, “Why?” i

didn't know what to do or say to her. I had done her dirty. She had done so much for me, i was

mad and sad with myself. I walked out and punched the wall, Jaz didn't stop me. She followed

me and just watched me then she said, “Are you done ?” i said i didn't know and that i needed a

break. I felt like it was to much i wanted to give up. She sat down on the floor with me and

started to bring up my future, she asked about my goals, sports, everything. I told her i wanted

to graduate to become a psychologist. I told her i wanted to be o the soccer team again and be

able to be on varsity again and actually be able to play. She looked at me and said, “I believe in

you and a lot of people do. Medina does and that's why he put you down here. I know you can

be capable of everything you want to do.” i cried and looked at her and promised to change to

do better and not give up. Now i'm a JUNIOR AND I'M BACK ON TRACK. My friendship with

Jaz is still one of the best, i am close to Medina and i'm a better person thanks to Medina, Jaz

and specially YESS. This is my story, my story to tell.