Today’s post was written by the Wilkes County GEAR UP team of coordinators: Kathryn Wright, Jody Freeman, Brie Jarvis, and Kyla Kerr. They share with us an incredible event that they helped to organize culminating in a week-long, immersive experience for their high school students…
The bleachers filled with talking students as they slowly filed into the gym anticipating the words of the speaker thrust upon them by their school’s administration. They restlessly waited. As the speaker stepped in front of the bleachers, a hush went through the crowd like a wave across the ocean. Then, the speaker began to illustrate his life story with dramatic spoken words, American Sign Language, and theatrical movements. In the midst of his speech, you could have heard a pin drop in the gymnasium normally riddled with the constant noise of students shifting in their seats.
This scene played out over and over again last week in all of our high schools as the Wilkes County Schools’ GEAR UP team hosted nationally recognized, award-winning teacher, spoken word artist, and Poetry Slam World Champion, Joaquin Zihuatanejo from Cool Speak. Mr. Z, as his former scholars affectionately call him, spent a day in each of our five high schools the week of September 12-16, 2022, with our Class of 2023 Seniors. He spent time working with the seniors in small groups offering an eye-opening workshop on essay-writing with a focus on college application and scholarship essays. He also had a chance to mentor some of our first-generation students as well as students who are struggling to find their path in life. At the end of the school day, Mr. Z shared his talents with the staff of some of our high schools. On Thursday, September 15, 2022, GEAR UP also hosted a family night at The Stone Center, where Mr. Z discussed family engagement with those in attendance.
GEAR UP is a federally-funded program by the Department of Education whose goal is to provide college and career readiness to students in rural districts across the United States. This is the eighth year that Wilkes County Schools has participated in the GEAR UP program. The primary focus of the grant is to serve students in our middle and high schools. WCS GEAR UP program has four coordinators on staff working with our students, staff, and administrators throughout the county. If you would like more information about the GEAR UP program please contact the GEAR UP Coordinator in your district by calling your middle or high school directly.
Wilkes County GEAR UP staff members pose with Cool Speak motivational speaker, Joaquin Zihuatanejo. (L-R: Kathryn Wright, Jody Freeman, Joaquin Zihuatanejo, April Marr, Kyla Kerr, and Brie Jarvis.)
Appalachian GEAR UP staff members pose with Cool Speak motivational speaker, Joaquin Zihuatanejo. (L-R: Dale Carter, Joaquin Zihuatanejo, Corinne Smith, Jody Freeman, and Wes Calbreath.)
Cool Speak motivational speaker, Joaquin Zihuatanejo presents to Wilkes County high school students
Cool Speak motivational speaker, Joaquin Zihuatanejo presents to Wilkes County high school students
Wilkes County high school students participate in activities led by Cool Speak motivational speaker, Joaquin Zihuatanejo.
Wilkes County GEAR UP staff members pose with Cool Speak motivational speaker, Joaquin Zihuatanejo. (L-R: Kathryn Wright, Jody Freeman, Joaquin Zihuatanejo, April Marr, Kyla Kerr, and Brie Jarvis.)
