My name is Erik Aguirre and I am a 16 year old sophomore at Thomas Jefferson High school. When I started high school I started acting up and not caring about my future. At the beginning of the program they took us to the mountains where we were going to I was paired up with my mentor Scott Beach I feel that thanks to the program and my mentor, my life has been better. I set three goals for myself that I wanted to achieve. My GPA went from a 1.2 to a 3.1 and I made honor roll for their first time ever. I wanted to have a better relationship with my parents. And I want to finish college and get my name called out from that podium. I look back in the past and see that I have improved thanks to Steps Ahead.

2009-04-19T10:41:11-06:00

1 Erik Aguirre CYAR Thanks to the program and my mentor, my life has been better.

2009-04-19T10:41:11-06:00

Coming to South High School, I felt so alone. A guy named Patrick came to South and started talking to us about this mentoring program, Steps Ahead. Never in a million years did I think that joining this program would impact my life so much. Today, I don't take anything for granted - I feel confident enough to say that I AM going to college and I CAN make a difference.

2009-04-19T10:42:00-06:00

2 Fatima Kiass CYAR I feel confident enough to say that I AM going to college and I CAN make a difference.

2009-04-19T10:42:00-06:00

I saw this big orange sign that said "Do you want a mentor?" I thought sure, why not? Little did I know that I was signing up for something that would change my life. It changed my views of people, and other people's views of me. I made new friendships and was amazed by how much I changed, and in a good way. Now I know that I don't have to face all that I had been through, alone.

2009-04-19T10:42:52-06:00

3 Kennisha Ayers CYAR Little did I know that I was signing up for something that would change my life.

2009-04-19T10:42:52-06:00

Hi my name is Roxana Acosta and I am 18 years old. Before I joined Steps Ahead my life was scary. After school, I would go home and do drugs, to slowly kill myself. My friends saw me as adventurous and "cool". I saw no point in anything. Through Steps Ahead, I was taught tools to help me deal with myself problems. I was paired with a Mentor who helped to save my life and my future. I just graduated and I am starting college in the fall at the University of Tampa. I owe them my life.

2009-04-19T10:43:50-06:00

4 Roxana Acosta CYAR I just graduated and I am starting college in the fall at the University of Tampa. I owe them my life.

2009-04-19T10:43:50-06:00

The Byrne Urban Scholars has been so much help to me. They show me that they care about my education and that they want me to succeed. And seeing this makes me want to do better in all my classes. I also know that because of Byrne Urban Scholars I have a better chance to have a great and successful career!

2009-04-24T07:45:00-06:00

5 Neli R. Byrne Urban Scholars The Byrne Urban Scholars has been so much help to me. They show me that they care about my education and that they want me to succeed.

2009-04-24T07:46:49-06:00

My mentor Sherry is simply brilliant. She has grown to become close with my family and I. Our relationship is everlasting and even when I leave for college, Sherry will always be my mentor and close friend. I honestly couldn’t fathom my life without her…I have an unbelievable support system. The Urban Scholars, the help of Sherry, and my loving family have played a vital role in my success and hard work throughout the years of my high school experience. The Byrne Urban Scholars have greatly impacted me in so many ways. Most importantly they kept me intact with the greater good, the bigger picture with its beautiful frame, which is ultimately to graduate, and attend college.

2009-04-24T07:50:31-06:00

6 Meron F. Byrne Urban Scholars The Byrne Urban Scholars, the help of Sherry my mentor, and my loving family have played a vital role in my success and hard work throughout the years of my high school experience.

2009-04-24T07:50:31-06:00

My family is very proud because I am in Arrupe. They’re especially thankful because without Byrne Urban Scholars, I would not go to Arrupe. This is a great experience because my parents never got the opportunity I have here with Byrne. I will be the second one in my family to graduate high school.

2009-04-24T07:53:30-06:00

7 Rodolfo G. Byrne Urban Scholars My family is...thankful because without Byrne Urban Scholars, I would not go to Arrupe.

2009-04-24T07:53:30-06:00

My life has changed because of being a part of Byrne Urban Scholars. My mentor, Christine, is the greatest because she has always been there when I needed someone to talk to, get advice from or share ideas. She is the one person I know is always there for me and who doesn’t judge me. She has always provided me help. I know we’ll be friends forever.

2009-04-24T07:54:52-06:00

8 Chearelle D. Byrne Urban Scholars My mentor, Christine, is the greatest because she has always been there when I needed someone to talk to...

2009-04-24T07:54:52-06:00

I’m proud of myself because I have a lot of problems, but I have been able to overcome them and do well at school because they’ve given me strength. I’m also happy that I’m graduating in May and plan to go to college…I know that this will make my mom happy because I’m going to be the first generation in my family to finish high school and go to college. I’m not only doing this for me, but also for my mom and my little brothers that look up to me. I’m the one that’s setting the example to them because my dad never did.

2009-04-24T07:59:14-06:00

9 Heriberto J. Byrne Urban Scholars I know that this will make my mom happy because I’m going to be the first generation in my family to finish high school and go to college.

2009-04-24T07:59:14-06:00

The best experience I have had as a mentor came about as the result of difficult circumstances. Because of some issues at Ivan’s school, Ivan was required to change schools at mid-year during his freshman year. In light of the difficult circumstances, Ivan could have become bitter and given up. Instead, he showed maturity beyond his years, worked incredibly hard and made the change a positive one. He wound up with great grades the second half of the year following the move and has taken on a leadership role in his new surroundings. It is inspiring to see somebody work that hard, turn turmoil into triumph and succeed when it would have been easy to give up.

2009-04-24T08:02:30-06:00

10 Lyle W., Mentor Byrne Urban Scholars It is inspiring to see somebody work that hard, turn turmoil into triumph and succeed when it would have been easy to give up.

2009-04-24T08:02:30-06:00