Creating Superb Students

When you think of junior high, you might think back to years of awkwardness and acne.

And while that may be true for the students who attend OCM’s junior high programs, their junior high experience is about so much more—life lessons on character, academics, and service—all in preparation for the all-important years of high school. Just ask Kenny, a high school sophomore who has attended Warrenville Youth & Family Services’ Quest Program since middle school.

“We’d talk about how to deal with things in daily life,” he says, thinking back a few years. “The teachers prepared us for the real world.” Some of the lessons Kenny learned in junior high were how to make good choices if a group of kids bullied him, how to help a peer through a rough time, and how to read social cues from others. “Early in junior high, I wouldn’t notice people’s expressions so I would annoy them,” says Kenny. “After learning about that through Quest, I started to notice how people were feeling, and that determined whether I would say something to them or leave them alone.” The result? “Now I don’t annoy people as much when I try to say something funny,” he says.

Yadira, a high school senior who attended the junior high Superb Student and Learn 2 Earn Programs at the Outreach Community Center in Carol Stream, learned study skills in junior high that made all the difference in high school. “The OCC teachers got on my case about doing my homework,” she says. “If they hadn’t checked on me every single day, I wouldn’t have done it. I got into the habit of doing my homework every day, which has helped me a lot in high school.”

Teachers at Quest showed Kenny what good study habits looked like, as well. “I almost didn’t graduate middle school, but Quest saved me,” he says. “Mr. Odell (former Quest director) pretty much hounded me. Every day he’d ask, ‘Ya got homework? C’mon, let’s sit down and do it.’ I finally decided to get it over and done with. Then I passed and graduated.”

As a result of these academic lessons, both Yadira and Kenny are currently maintaining B averages in high school.

Yadira’s OCC junior high teacher not only made an academic difference in her life; she made an enduring spiritual impact, as well. “Going into the junior high program, I wasn’t really big on faith, but Chantel (OCC Superb Student teacher) was. I saw how happy it made her.” She continues, “I didn’t go to church because my family didn’t have a car, so Chantel would pick me up and we’d go to church. She’d take me out to eat after church and we would discuss the sermon. She’s the reason I started going back.”

Kenny had his own faith journey that took shape at Quest. “When I was younger, I had this best friend,” Kenny says. “One day he went to sleep and didn’t wake up. He had meningitis and died.” Kenny was completely devastated and blamed God for the tragedy. “I turned my back to him,” Kenny remembers. “When I first started coming to Quest, a youth leader talked to me about it. He helped me realize I have to let go of the bitterness and come back to Christ.”

Yadira and Kenny demonstrate how successful high school students don’t just show up on the first day of high school ready to succeed—they need a solid foundation in middle school. The junior high years are crucial in young people’s lives. Thanks to the Quest Program and the Superb Student Program, Yadira, Kenny, and many other kids are well on their way to success in high school and beyond.

Each year more than 120 students participate in the junior high programs at OCM. Due to the economy and funding setbacks, would you consider donating to make sure these programs continue? Click here to donate now.