Middle College students overcome challenges, uncertainties and fear to create their future and make history in the state of Maryland
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| Middle College graduates:(l-r) Alex Saviet, Amanada Endres, Dang "Oswald" Truong, and Damari DeLaine |
The number of students on track to graduate from high school over the next few years is at an all-time high, according to U.S. News & World Report, however, the disparities in educational advancement among minority students is holding steady—specifically in the African American community.
The statistics illustrating the high dropout rates, low standardized test scores, and lack of attendance for children representing black households are staggering. Kids from more urbanized areas represent the largest populations, even though suburban and rural families face significant challenges as well. From a political standpoint, it is a nationwide problem that has been a platform talking point for politicians since the 80s. If numbers in a database were the only measuring stick available to gauge the ability, potential, and intelligence of kids that fall under the minority category, this country would be in a very bad state.
Fortunately, a group of Maryland educators and administrators decided to find solutions to this growing epidemic instead of standing still and silent in the problem. The group’s ambitious vision to create an extraordinary learning environment began the process, and their meticulous planning, lobbying, and unrelenting desire to provide a once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity to the children of Prince George’s County would soon pay off.
Fortunately, a group of Maryland educators and administrators decided to find solutions to this growing epidemic instead of standing still and silent in the problem. The group’s ambitious vision to create an extraordinary learning environment began the process, and their meticulous planning, lobbying, and unrelenting desire to provide a once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity to the children of Prince George’s County would soon pay off.
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| Superintendent Hite, Principal Richard-Andrews (AHS) and President Charlene M. Dukes (PGCC) |
In 2011, the Academy of Health Sciences (AHS) at Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) opened the doors to Middle College High School. Located just minutes outside the District of Columbia at PGCC’s Largo, Maryland campus, the progressive high school program each year selects a specific number of boys and girls who are entering the 9th grade. This elite group traverses the program for four years taking accelerated high school courses that quickly transition into a college-level health and sciences curriculum. The result? Upon completion of the program, each student graduates with a high school diploma and an Associate’s degree.
By way of a sophisticated assessment and scoring system, candidates are chosen and those students granted admission to the program enter into an academic experience that one could only compare to Space Mountain in Disney World. The curricula is fast-paced, challenging and even intimidating at times—just like Space Mountain. There are ups and downs, twists and turns, and even a few jolts of surprise along the way—just like Space Mountain. The process is exhilarating, scary, and exciting…it takes your breath away but leaves you with lifelong memories—JUST LIKE SPACE MOUNTAIN! Google Space Mountain if you don’t believe me.
The Academy of Health Sciences Middle College program was designed to enhance the lives of its students by providing an educational environment with superior learning outcomes. Mission accomplished, but if you ask the principal, instructors and staff, they’ll most likely tell you their lives have been changed by these amazing children. Ethnicity, socio-economic status, or most followers on Twitter are of no consequence in the selection process. The student body is extremely diverse and full of nervous kids who aren’t exactly sure what they signed up for that first day…but in an instant, they know there is no place they’d rather be.
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| Prince George's County Executive, Rushern Baker, Prof. Appollo Cordon, and Former MD. Governor O'Malley |
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of hanging out with four of the 92 kids that are now the Senior Class from the Academy of Health Sciences. And in just over a week, they will be THE FIRST graduating class from AHS Middle College High School at PGCC. Kind of a big deal? The BIGGEST! What the administrators, faculty, staff, Principal Dr. Kathy Richard-Andrews, and Dr. Charlene Dukes, president of Prince George’s Community College accomplished in four years is unprecedented. Under their guidance, leadership, planning and structure, 100% of the senior class will graduate with their high school diploma, 100% of the senior class has been accepted to a four-year institution, merit-based scholarships in excess of 6 million dollars have been offered, and 90 out of 92 students will graduate with their Associate’s degree. Maryland history…made!
When I reached the classroom assigned to me for the interviews, I was nervous. All of sudden it was 1990 and I was back at Neshaminy High School. The energy pulsating through the halls was electrifying and the spirit of the school hit me like a brick. The vibe was upbeat, kids were chatting and darting in and out of rooms, and their sense of urgency to be “somewhere” was evident. The vibe screamed, “Yeah…we rock!”, but it was totally unspoken. I knew though.
So I finally sat down at a huge table with Amanda Endres, Alex Saviet, Dang “Oswald” Truong, and Damari DeLaine. All of sudden I felt the need to sound smart. After all, I’m supposed to be a professional, the grown-up lady there to ask them all the questions and calm their nerves. Well, I had no real plan of how the interview was to go, but I did know that playing the role of "reporter" wasn’t going to work. These kids are too cool and keen for that. So I decided to just talk to them—transparently and sincerely. I haven’t been the same since.
Amanda, 18, can be really quiet, but that’s only because she’s constantly taking everything in—reflecting and focusing. It’s still a little difficult for me to write this article with her in mind because she has overcome the most, physically speaking. She is what you call the epitome of strength because in spite of being diagnosed with Leukemia and having a bone marrow transplant in February 2014, Amanda took summer classes, studied in her hospital bed, and utilized every fiber of her being to stay on track, academically, while fighting a life-threatening disease. She will be walking, proudly, with her peers on May 21, with dreams of being a nurse. I asked her why nursing (as if I didn’t know the answer) and she responded in a way that only she could, “I want to help people the same way my nurses took care of me,” she said. “Their kindness and encouragement contributed to my healing, and I want to be just like them.”
Amanda is from Laurel, MD, likes soccer and country music—especially Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan--and plans to attend Stephenson College in the fall.
I ended up sitting next to Alex, 18, during our talk and I immediately felt his larger-than-life presence. By the end of our conversation, he was hugging me as I tried desperately to pull my emotional self together. These kids have that kind of effect on you.
The EMT trainee, super-athlete and soccer coach from Cheverly is a true adrenaline junky. Perhaps that’s why he plans to return to PGCC after graduation to obtain his Paramedic license. But there’s much more to Alex than his tall, slim frame and kind eyes. He’s a kid who has an inherent compassion for people and a sincere desire to help others; his way of deflecting the hurt and disappointments he has felt by being in foster care for a large part of his life. Alex is thoughtful in how he speaks, but is not shy when sharing his story of living in multiple homes and almost sent to another state.
“Things were really hard at the home I was living in, and they were preparing to send me away,” said Alex. “I called Dr. Andrews and told her what was happening because I knew I was supposed to be here. She made a phone call and told me that I was staying. She’s more than a principal…she’s always there when we need her in life,” he said.
Alex has connected to his Latin roots and has a relationship with his biological sister in Puerto Rico, where he proudly embraces his culture and its music.
Sometimes fear can appear so real and intimidating that it stunts our growth—emotionally and mentally. Oswald understands those feelings better than most and for a while he felt really bad about himself. Thankfully, this super-smart guy realized that overcoming adversity means facing it…head on. That’s exactly what he did and this soon-to-be-doctor is shining brighter than ever.
Oswald, 18, emigrated just six short years ago from Vietnam with his family. Imagine being a kid, in a new country, at a brand new school…and…you don’t speak English. Oswald recalls it being extremely difficult just trying to understand basic conversations among classmates and the teacher. His confidence was deflated and he “felt stupid”. When he was home in the comfort of his family, things weren’t much better. He shared that many times he would sit around with his father and brother and they would excitedly talk about technology, current events, news—important things. Oswald never felt smart enough to contribute to the conversations so he just sat back and never spoke up.
The fighter in him would never allow him to give up. Oswald learned English in six years and was accepted to the AHS Middle College program. The new environment and experience seemed overwhelming at first, but his persevering spirit attracted many students to him and he immersed himself in his classes. Biological Science has proven to be Oswald’s passion and strong suit, and he, too, will graduate on May 21 with a diploma and Associate’s degree. And so will his dad, but Radiology is his calling. Both Truong men with receive their Associate’s degrees at the same ceremony in front of their very proud family.
“My grandfather died of lung cancer, and ever since then I have been interested in pursuing medicine as a career. I want to find a cure for this disease and impact lives,” eloquently expressed Oswald. He said that after only a year in Middle College, his confidence was building and although his classes were challenging, they fueled his passion for biological science even more.
Oswald is a music connoisseur and listens to practically everything, but he feels most connected to acoustic guitar artists like Ed Sheeran. He’s cool with the Classical genre too—which he gets from his parents. He plans to attend Johns Hopkins University in the fall. His advice to other kids, “When you start, believe in yourself and make every day count. The tough times don’t last forever.” Well said, Oswald!
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| Academy of Health Sciences Middle College program instructor (PGCC) |
Bleak House by Charles Dickens is one of the latest novels Damari DeLaine is wrapped up in. Along with his peers, he is an avid reader of books that run the gamut of topics—despite how much homework, exams, and required reading is assigned. The 17-year-old Hyattsville native who lives with his grandmother and had a history of getting into trouble at his former schools is one of the most unique personalities I had the honor of engaging at Middle College. From a very young age, Damari could absorb complex information like a sponge and not only retain it, but recall every aspect of what he learned. This level of aptitude was threatening to some of his teachers and instead of nurturing his gifts, they deemed him a troublemaker. “I would get into trouble because I was bored,” said Damari, “I wanted to be in an environment that challenged me, encouraged my unique way of thinking, and could help me channel my mental energy in a positive way,” he said.
He attended an orientation for the Academy of Health Sciences Middle College and was struck by Dr. Kathy Andrews’ level of enthusiasm. Shortly after the event, he made the life-changing decision to attend. A decision that made his mother very proud.
The extremely tall and extroverted teen who enjoys reading books while walking down the street has many layers—all of which have their own unique Damari story to tell. One layer would speak on how he’s preparing to attend Howard University under the Legacy Scholarship where he’ll major in Pre-Law. Another layer would express his affinity for music and eccentric artists like Earl Sweatshirt, MF Doom, and Black Moth Super Rainbow (I know…crickets), while another layer would speak loudly about his professional dreams of obtaining his J.D. and MBA at the same time, becoming a lobbyist for the small business community, leading the way in Corporate and Regulatory Law, and creating an organization for kids. While all of this is impressive, in Damari land he’s just being himself. And THAT is a pretty cool accomplishment.
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| Inaugural AHS Middle College Class at PGCC (2011) |
The statistics from U.S. News and World Report and the scores of unsubstantiated labels conjured up by people who think that a Damari DeLaine or an Alex Saviet are anomalies, should probably go back to the drawing board. All of the standardized testing, traditional teaching, structure and stringent guidelines can’t begin to adequately measure the potential, desire, or courage a boy or girl has unless you know the backstory. Oswald, Amanda, Damari or Alex could have given up Middle College, perhaps justifiably, and became another statistic in the report. That option wasn’t in Dr. Andrews’ plan and her students knew it.
She had a vision back then and four years later, the Academy of Health Sciences Middle College program has exceeded every expectation. Thanks to support from leaders like Dr. Charlene Dukes, Dr. Kevin Maxwell, and a first-rate instructional staff, the coursework given to the students is extremely challenging and taught at a rigorous pace, they are learning Anatomy, Microbiology, and Statistics Math and other advanced subjects at 17 years-old, and these kids are setting a new standard in academia that will be the blueprint for other states.
The real, bottom line, net-net of it all, however, boils down to something that can’t be taught, trained, or placed in a syllabus. The love, respect, and feeling of camaraderie among the Middle College students is resounding. They support each other on every level and when one of their own is struggling, they rally around and shower each other with encouragement. They know when a friend is having trouble at home, and they don’t put anyone down who can’t afford food or snacks. It’s a kind of utopian society that we as adults could only hope to experience. These kids are on deck to be world-changers, and after hanging out with several of their representatives, I feel better living in the world knowing they’ll soon take over.
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| Excited students at their brand new school. AHS Middle College High School, PGCC (2011) |
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