IDRA Youth Leadership Now Tutors Share Stories of the Program’s Impact on Their Lives
“Before the program, I didn’t have a lot of potential. I now have confidence and a clear vision for my future.” – Bridgett Aguilar, Fabens Middle School
Six students received prizes in a competition among participants in the IDRA Youth Leadership Now program, an asset-based leadership development program serving eighth-grade students who are deemed at risk of dropping out.
In a reflection contest for YLN students in multiple school districts in Texas, the tutors wrote about how the program helped them do better in school and how they had helped their tutees to do better.
IDRA encouraged students to submit their choice of essay, poetry, artwork or video. Winners from each competition are being awarded $200 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place along with commemorative certificates and trophies.
Get the award booklet with the full winning essays (pdf)
First Place – Enoch Pérez
8th Grade, Robert C. Zamora Middle School, South San Antonio ISD
“Before this program, my grades were low, and I often struggled to stay focused in class. Now, thanks to the program, my grades are excellent, I am more engaged in class, and I have even found myself helping people in public and at my church… Youth Leadership Now has transformed me into a better person and a better student. This experience has inspired me to continue growing, to keep helping others, and to strive for leadership in the future.”
Second Place – Kaylee Tellez
8th Grade, Fabens Middle School, Fabens ISD
“When I walk into my class, I am greeted with the kids’ faces lit up, excited to see me. When I walk in, I feel so appreciated with the kids running up, hugging me… It makes me feel special, like I’m special to them, like I mean something, as if they look up to me… The way that this program made me feel like I should keep pushing myself to do better is because they see me as someone to look up to and someone better than I am.”
Third Place – Abbey
8th Grade, Horizon Middle School, Clint ISD
“My tutees taught me patience; they taught me that being persistent does lead to great results, which is now reflected in my own work at my school. I went from procrastinating in classes that I struggled with to being able to finish projects during the time I was given without needing extra time or turning it in late. They are my motivation to continue to go to school because I want to be there to push them to be the best they can.”
Honorable Mentions
- Camila González, 8th Grade, Dwight Middle School, South San Antonio ISD
- Violet Moralez, 8th Grade, Alan B. Shepard Middle School, South San Antonio ISD
- Darcy Chavez, 8th Grade, Fabens Middle School, Fabens ISD
- Kimberly Vasquez Gonzalez, 8th Grade, Hot Wells Middle School, San Antonio ISD
