My Communities in Schools StoryJessieka Reaves

Westlake High School9th Grade

Before Communities in SchoolsA very shy and talented young lady. Hard worker and high

achiever. But all isolated to herself. This is my 8th grade year photo three days before our 8th grade promotional services.

About Me0 I am a current ninth grade student at Westlake High School.0 I love sports and my favorite subject is Science. 0 I am one of two students in CIS that is also in WHS Magnet

program.With all of that you would think my life here at WHS was GREAT!

But let me tell you… I thought High School was going to be a piece of cake. Enrolling into WHS from a another school district seemed a bit scary. Not to mention that my family was split up prior to the first day of school. Here I am 5”11 , 14 years old, scared out of my wits, What was I to do? I did not have anyone to talk to. I felt so alone.

CISA “Elite 80I remember the day like it was yesterday when I met Dr. Warren. It was at the beginning of the first semester and I did not want to go in the cafeteria for lunch. I did not know anyone at WHS, especially at B lunch. Dr. Warren, who was on hall duty, asked if I had a hall pass. I said no and asked if I could stand out side with her. We talked about her program which seemed like fun.

I MADE IT!A few days later, she told me that I was selected to be a part of the CISA Elite 80, a program that support students academically and socially. Me being in the position of not knowing anyone this was great. Communities in Schools of Atlanta @ Westlake was just the program that I needed. She contacted my grandparents and they agreed to allow me to participate in the program. I was finally apart of something. That was one of my best days at Westlake!

CIS Field Trips and Programs

AT&T Aspire Mentoring Program

A Job Shadowing trip where we got to explore and learn the history

of AT&T.

On this trip I had the honor of personally meeting and having lunch

with AT&T Georgia President Ms. Sylvia Russell. This was my

favorite part of the trip.

I learn so much and now really understand that it takes Hard Work

and Determination to be Successful, and Successful I will be.

University of Kentucky College Tour

0 I was selected of a very small group of 9th graders to go on a College Tour out of

state with the Jr’s and Seniors to The University of Kentucky in Lexington,

Kentucky.

0 It was a great trip I had never been out of the state before. On the tour we got to

learned so much about the University and Kentucky. I even got to take a picture

with Dr. Warren and her sorority sisters.

0 I can hardly wait to apply my Jr. year.

What CIS Has Done For Me? So much and too many things to mention...0Having a person in the school to talk to about anytime

about anything. 0Not only did I make friends, I feel more comfortable

around other students and socialized more with my classmates.

0They purchased my glove and cleats to play on the JV Soft ball team.

0I was not able to participate fully in the Magnet Program without paying my Magnet fee’s and purchase a T-Shirt. CIS paid my fee’s and purchased my T-shirt.

0They are absolutely the Best!

The Difference CIS has made in my life is…1. I now eat lunch in the cafeteria and stay in there the whole time.2. I have made a ton of friends and even a few who I call my BFF’s. 3. Because of my motivation to come to school. I am on the NBA

(never been absent Hall of Fame Wall)I now have a 3.5 grade point average, won 1st place in the Science Fair and may even win the state competition.

4. Dr. Warren encourage us everyday with positive quotes like, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world” and I am determined to be that change.

5. I have learned through this program to never quit, give up or give in. The mission of CIS is to surround students with a community of support empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. And that is exactly what I going to do Stay in School and Achieve in Life.

After Communities in Schools

Self Confident, Poised and Popular , Still a very talented young lady. Hard worker and high achiever. Not to mention that I placed 1st in the Fulton County School-wide

Science Fair and made the Soccer Team. I am well on my way to being a Sophomore. Class of 2017!

SPECIAL THANKSI would like to thank Dr. Warren for everything she has done for me and the Elite 80. I want to thank CIS for having such a great program that has given me the motivation, courage and most importantly a higher degree of self confidence and esteem. Without Communities in Schools I can not imagine what my freshman year would be like.

The End

Communities in Schools help turn a bad situation into a good one. This program made me HAPPY again.