What I’m Doing: World Cup. Wimbledon. Oh yeah… I fly home today.
212:
It’s time to get several disclaimers and notices out of the way. Bear with them.
Blog Numbers: As of June 30th, 2010 I’ve written over 58 pages of material. This is also a combined word count of 30,219 words from only 17 different posts. That’s an average of 1,777 words per post. (Calculated by Microsoft Word)
Note to Reader: This post is well over the previously stated average word count.
Disclaimer #1: All of the writing below is Sam McGuffin’s personal opinion on his experience about City Year and the school he worked at. City Year is a fantastic program and none of what is said below is meant to harm or offend it in any way.
Disclaimer #2: This is a very long post. Feel free to take your time reading it. The post next week won’t be very long, so it is advised to slice this beast into two halves if your reading stamina is low.
Temperature Check: Done. Finished. Proud. Accomplished. About 75 degrees with a cool breeze from the west.
The Pre-City Year
An advertisement at the Snyder stop on the Broad Street Line for City Year.
Now that my year-long journey is over, you’re most-likely curious to know how I started. You’re thinking that I was very informed, that my decision was made after months of calculations and decisions or through countless hours of meticulous research. But really, I knew very little when I hopped on a plane to Philadelphia. If you asked me to name the subway systems in Philly, I couldn’t tell you. Besides the names of sports teams, my mind was a blank slate on the subject of Philadelphia. About City Year? I could’ve quoted this, from their website http://www.cityyear.org.
- City Year unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world. As tutors, mentors and role models, these diverse young leaders help children stay in school and on track, and transform schools and communities across the United States, as well as through international affiliates in Johannesburg, South Africa and London, England. Just as important, during their year of service corps members develop civic leadership skills they can use throughout a lifetime of community service. Major corporations and businesses participate in our mission by serving as strategic partners, team sponsors, and national leadership sponsors. Together we’re building a citizen service movement that is larger than our organization, our lifetime, and ourselves.
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But what does that even mean? Do I now have the skills and opportunities necessary to change the world? Have I been a tutor, a mentor, a role model? Have I helped students stay on track? Have I felt a part of a citizen service movement?
I first heard about City Year late November of my 12th grade year in high school. I was sitting in my AP Government class, and we had a guest speaker. When he entered the room, I was surprised that I recognized him. His name was Zein- he graduated a year ahead of me. He wasn’t wearing casual clothes. He walked into the classroom wearing a bright red jacket and khaki pants. On the jacket there was a patch labeled “City Year.”
Zein talked for nearly an hour about his experience in Philadelphia. He mentioned how City Year was an AmeriCorps program, that he worked in rough middle school in southwest Philly, that it was getting cold in the northeast side of the country. My class asked him how it was to live alone, what it was like paying bills. Someone asked how much he was being paid to do the program. Zein explained how a City Year corps member lives on a stipend… which isn’t much at all. But he put a positive spin on things and emphasized that City Year was a challenge- leveling his words with emotion. It was easy to notice how the program affected him. When the bell rang and Zein was finished, my class applauded his speech. I gathered up my bag and left the room. I was curious- but I wasn’t drawn in. Not yet at least.
As my year in high school progressed, I seriously questioned if I wanted to go to college right away. I had a full scholarship to the University of Arizona and Arizona State University- but certain aspects didn’t feel right about it.
Did I want to follow the same consistent path of everyone else?
No, that wasn’t really my style. I wanted to do something different. I wanted to experience the world and struggle for a year in my life. It took me a while to realize it, but I eventually understood months after Zein’s presentation that City Year could provide me with all of these opportunities. On top of that, I would be able to witness and work in an inner-city school, give back, and live in another side of the country.
When I applied to City Year, I expected to gain and build strong friendships. To learn to tell stories about my adventures, and to construct lasting relationships with my students.
I weighed the pros and cons. I thought about City Year so much that I realized I had already made up my choice. I committed.
Everyone was unsure about my choice, which is understandable. City Year contained an ocean of unknowns, and my parents and friends hadn’t heard of it. A number of my friends couldn’t comprehend why I would take a job that paid below minimum wage or why I wanted to get into the grit and challenge myself by working with and helping underprivileged students.
Luckily, my parents and grandparents hold me in a high esteem. Otherwise, I doubt they would’ve allowed me to do City Year. They trusted me in my decision and knew that I had made up my mind- recognizing there was little they could do to alter my decision. Because of that, my family buckled down and supported me full-heartedly throughout my endeavor.
The sources of clarity throughout my decision process were my teachers and my counselor. I would go to them with silly questions; asking how it was to live in a city or what to expect from students. More often than not, they laughed me off as the ambitious teenager I was, pointing me in the right direction with a smile.
Like anyone moving across country, I had my fair share of thoughts and worries.
I wondered what Philadelphia looked like. How was the weather there? What age group of students would I work with? Would I rather be in a high school or a middle school?
I worried that I didn’t know what I was getting into. Would I make my flight on time? Would I find the furniture I needed for the right price? I was nervous to meet my roommates. I worried about packing. I worried about the unknowns and the invisible qualms.
Where was this year heading, and how was I going to get there?
The Journey
My Mom was gracious enough to pack my three duffle bags for me. I stuffed my guitar in its case. As the bags sat waiting beside my home’s front door, I realized. That’s my life, converted into luggage.
I’d been on several airplanes before, but I never had travelled as far as Philadelphia. My Dad decided to accompany me on my way over so he could hang out for a final hurrah and help me settle in. We left the house before the sun woke up and arrived at the Phoenix airport shortly after. The sliding doors to the air-maze split open, and my dad and I entered, lugging three fifty-pound bags of life. We I cleared the checking and security sections and sooner than later we were sitting on a jet. I sat dazed, still waking up. Still waiting for the shock to hit me as the plane lifted off, and my head was thrown back into my seat. Chewing on gum, trying to relax- instead of making an ever-growing to-do list inside of my head.
We arrived midday in Philadelphia. A red Ford Explored pulling a hefty black trailer waited in front of the airport. My roommate Joel was at the wheel, and he quickly jumped out to help us with our bags. Somehow, we managed to jam everything inside his packed car.
I still remember looking at Joel that first day and making a mental note off his appearance. I couldn’t help but think that by the looks of Joel, this was going to be a wild year in Philadelphia.
I can’t begin to tell you how right I was.
From the airport, we entered a spastic errand spree. First to sign the lease and pay some rent, then to unpack Joel’s trailer and our baggage, then to the jungle of IKEA.
The jungle of IKEA threw us off schedule, as we became lost in the endless tree-trunks of furniture displays. We waded through fields of couches and lamps, consciously avoiding the wild shopping carts lurking in the corners. Luckily, we were able to grab some machetes and cut away several bushes to escape.
From IKEA we went back to the new place and began using our carpentry and critical thinking skills to build the furniture that would last the entire year.
That first night we were up late; chatting, constructing, and messing with the alarm system. The cops came… twice. Fire alarms whined, claiming their fresh batteries just weren’t good enough. But we silenced them soon enough, by ripping them from the ceiling. With heavy hearts and hanging brows, we passed out in our mangled beds.
I loved my house. It was a sanctuary, not just from the humidity. It was a nice, caring home to retreat to when worries clogged the mind.
The next few days were spent exploring Philadelphia. What was this city?
I let my head fall back as I gazed in awe up at huge buildings; I let my nose take in the scents of urine in the subways and gasoline from the sides of the streets. Whenever there wasn’t a building in sight, there was green. There was fresh, green grass and happy trees. Gone were the brown and pink colored squares we call gravel, replaced by the bright wondrous plants. If there was this much green in the city, I couldn’t help but dream about the country side. I quickly realized I wasn’t a city boy, but nevertheless, I enjoyed the sights and architecture of Philadelphia.
The night after my Dad left, I was completely alone in my room.
It was late, and I felt like I could hear the molecules in the air buzzing around my ears.
Oxygen wouldn’t stop blabbering to Nitrogen about the local gossip between Argon and Helium.
The darkness was soaking into my flesh, and I could feel the metal spine of my futon jabbing through my unsettlingly thin mattress pad. I rolled over, taking a left hook from the frame, and gazed at the barren white walls that surrounded me.
Where they canvas to paint a picture, or the four confining sides of solitary confinement? What was I doing? Where was the certainty in my life?
I had no schedule, no clue at what the year had in store for me, or what my life was going to look like. I was indecisive, and had left all my friends, belongings, and family over 2,000 miles across the country. That first night alone was one of the few times I struggled to sleep. One of the few times I have realistically doubted myself.
After five nights in Philly, all of my roommates had arrived. We took the subway down to City Hall, and from there caught a trolley to 22nd street. After a brief walk we stood face to face with the City Year Philadelphia HQ. Registration day. Basic paperwork, assignment of direct deposit, establishing fingerprints.
The usual for a new job, a new position.
It was our initial day at City Year. The start…
The Beginning
Broad Street Line subway sign showing the southbound side of the tracks. Shout-out to Clint and Joel.
In City Year, you’re thrown into this unique culture. It’s a mix of 225 people; men and women, ages 17 to 24. They’ve grown up in the city, the suburbs, or the most rural shred of land you could find. Some people were raised in inner-city schools like the students we work with and others have been to private schools their entire lives. Some are rich, others are poor. But City Year is meant to be that way, meant to be diverse. Just in the population alone there are so many differences and so many gaps to be filled.
There are so many rare similarities to uncover.
City Year as a whole also has many personal traits and characteristics. If the organization was a person, it would always be grinning with a goofy smile. It almost feels necessary to be upbeat, happy, and energetic as a group. Even on my down days, a part of me felt like I needed to be excited and ecstatic- to raise my level to that of City Year. The level named by the organization as, “Fired Up.”
I’ve stated before in previous posts, but City Year has many quirks. It has founding stories (such as the Starfish Story, Moccasins, Joys, Ripples), callbacks, spirit breaks- and we even do PT (Physical Training). There were many times this year when I felt like an overenthusiastic cheerleader, but I stuck with it. The attitude and atmosphere of City Year quickly forced me from my shy shell and I came to realize that by being open with others, I could make a great first impression.
Before every corps member was placed on a permanent team and thrust into a school, they had to go through Basic Training Academy (BTA). BTA was a flustered proving ground- one that pointed out the strengths, weaknesses, and patience of everyone in the corps. It meant to educate the incoming corps on the simplest principals of working with students.
In BTA, everyone was separated into “Crazy Teams,” or not-yet-permanent teams. I believe that people were put into Crazy Teams to see how they worked under a team dynamic, but Crazy Teams had other purposes as well. My first Crazy Team, Artificial Intelligence, allowed me to meet new people very quickly and become comfortable with my place in City Year. My second Crazy Team, Lighthouse, allowed me to become adept at knowing when to wield my pride and how to work with a wide range of personalities.
I learned every day from my fellow corps members that served on my Crazy Teams.
During the beginning we also did a good deal of service activities. We weeded local gardens, fixed up recreation centers, and painted murals across the city. Some of the service involved heavy amounts of yard work- and I couldn’t help but think back to the times my Dad would have me help plant a tree or mow the lawn.
BTA seemed to last an eternity, but like most things; it came to an abrupt stop as it ended. We said goodbye to our Crazy Teams as were placed on our final, permanent teams. We were told our team sponsor, as well as which school we would be working in for the rest of the year.
I was placed on the David’s Bridal Team serving at Overbrook High School. I would be working on a team of 12 people.
The Castle on the Hill
I almost spent more time here than at my home.
My school had this nickname: The Castle on the Hill. It’s obvious really. My school looks exactly like an intimidating castle. And it’s on the top of a hill. Need I say more?
Notable Alumni: Wilt Chamberlain. Will Smith.
When I first entered Overbrook I had many farfetched expectations. I thought that my team and I would be accepted with open arms and beautiful smiles from the staff. I thought that the teachers would be happy for us to be there, excited to work with us throughout the year. I expected fresh water from the water fountains. I expected a classroom-sized office. I expected to be working hands-on with students from day one.
I was a little optimistic.
When we entered Overbrook for the first time, we weren’t exactly met with open arms. Our entrance had no bang, no boom, and no pop. Instead, we more-so resembled apparitions floating in the air. We had to jump through hoops and dance through fire-and that was just to get our office.
Imagine a skinny hallway. Now cut that in half. That was our office. It was cramped, but cozy. It resided on the fourth floor of the school, and I cherished the stairs every day. I envisioned them as my daily workout, and sprinted up to the office every day at 7:30 in the morning.
Finding teachers that would partner with us was more difficult than it sounded. My teammates and I wormed our way from classroom to classroom between periods, before and after school, catching up with teachers. We handed them surveys and asked if they would like a City Year corps member in their room. Many had no idea who or what we were, so we mounted a lax information campaign. It was a struggle and a hassle.
Eventually I was able to observe with several different teachers, and was able to see what a classroom at Overbrook was like first hand.
But I wanted more, I wanted to establish a partnership with a teacher and make vast improvements with students. I was greedy with want and will to create change and work for the good of my students.
I was anxious to begin.
With our surveys back, my Team Leader (TL) Nadirah and Program Manager (PM) Jess were able to create schedules for me and my teammates- displaying which classrooms we would be at throughout the day. It took a while, but we quickly found rhythm.
Initially, I had several open periods in my schedule. But after some happenstance meetings with teachers, I was able to pick up enough classes to fully occupy myself. It wasn’t long before I was used to shifting from class to class, and that my work with students became another natural movement in my life cycle.
Most of my team during the beginning of the year. Me, Eugene, Victoria, Cassie, Siobhan, Law
I loved, and still love my team.
We began the year with 12 people, but we quickly lost a corps member named Shana within the first two weeks of working at Overbrook. What followed over the year was a fantastic collaboration of minds as we worked and united our efforts together to achieve any and every goal.
My first impression of them was incredibly high. My Program Manager, Jess, was light-hearted and very easy to talk to. My Team Leader, Nadirah, connected us instantly with her overflowing confidence and great sense of humor. The rest of my team; Joshua, Victoria, Law, Eugene, Misty, Cassie, Samantha, Siobhan- were outstanding. Everything for us seemed to fall in place as we became a large, happy family over the year. Our jokes were outrageous, our work was impeccable. I was excited when I first found out who was on my team. Right now, I am ecstatic because I was able to work with such fantastic people.
Eugene, one of my teammates, during a service project in Germantown.
First half of the year (September 2009 – December 2009) accomplishments.
- Finding and getting into classrooms proved a much more difficult task than I expected, but eventually we pulled it off. I met one of my teachers in a resource area for students called the Success Center, where I helped out during one of my open periods. Ms. Chernova entered the room behind two students, chatting with them as casual as if she was a student. She was active and very enthusiastic, and she sat down next to me- beginning to talk about City Year. We talked for a good thirty-forty minutes- about me, her, City Year, teaching. Before I left to my next class, I asked if she would let me work in one of her classes. She agreed- and I picked up an 8th period Physics class. Ms. Chernova proved to be a great partner to work with, and her class was an oasis on difficult days.
- My team at Overbrook held a college fair as one of our main events. It was one my team’s major successes at the school. We reached over 577 students and brought 37 college representatives into our school. We even obtained enough food donations from local companies to provide meals for all 37 representatives and several staff members. The event ran smoothly and was a blast to put on. As our first major initiative in the school, it also gave my team a fluid and dynamic reputation with the staff- setting us up for success during the second half of the year.
- After school I worked hard to maintain several different clubs. I started a writing program with one of the teachers my team worked with, Mr. Zeller. I worked with Law on a Hip-Hop/Rap program called Project P.E.A.C.E.- where we focused on getting students into a studio to record music. On top of all this, I assisted in after-school tutoring when time would allow.
By December 31st, 2009 I was in a mixed state of emotions. I felt that I had accomplished many tasks and established solid footing inside of Overbrook, yet I wasn’t completely happy with my performance.
At this time I was under several levels of stress as well. I was wrapping up my applications to twelve different colleges, and I was under the pressure of communicating with many different people over a long distance. Thankfully, I was able to fly back home for the holidays and take in a breath of fresh Arizona air. I visited good friends again, and those brief reunions were nothing short of wonderful.
When I returned to Philadelphia, I felt like I had a pit in my stomach of distaste and disgust. Snow covered the ground and I had a paranoia that the world was out to get me. Every action I took and every step I made seemed to backlash like Karma was out for my head.
But I managed to regain my composure, and vault my way out of that semi-depression. I forced myself to re-focus and adapt myself to the winter environment as I trekked down the path of the second half in my City Year.
Snowmageddon
A snowy Philadelphia.
The winter of 2009 to 2010 caused the greatest amount of snowfall every recorded in Philadelphia history. The combined amount of snowfall was over 80 inches. Coming from a part of the country and never sees snow, this astounded me. There were times when we had upwards of three feet of snow. It was incredible.
My personal favorites were the days when the city shut down due to ridiculous amounts of snow. My roommate Joel and I would climb out of bed in the morning, and explore a seemingly abandoned city. I loved how a snowstorm could completely immobilize a modern city with such severity that nothing could be seen besides pristine white snowflakes and the eyes and ears of row-homes.
My team’s office inside Overbrook High School.
When the Snowpacolypse finally subsided, I was stoked to return to Overbrook. In between snow days and rainy days, it was hard to notice the impact I was making in the school. Overall attendance was at a low, and the few kids that were in class refused to do work due to the cold. But when the seasons began to change, I started to realize my place in the school. Students missed me and begged their teachers to work with me. I saw grades rise and test scores increase. I felt important and useful. In many ways, I felt like a weed thriving in a harsh environment. I was excited that everything was running smoothly as the year progressed.
As spring began to rear its flowery head, we were thrown into a three-day training entitled Advanced Training Academy (ATA). ATA ran much cleaner than BTA, mainly because of the intellectual level of the workshops. The workshops covered more in-depth topics focused on our schools, as well as methods for several subjects. I was most impressed by a workshop that detailed twelve different ways to teach students to read. The workshop was especially important to me because many of my students couldn’t read a paragraph in a text-book.
Martin Luther King Day, detailed above. We did service in several sites over Philadelphia. This is a mural painted in the gym of Olney High School.
Second half of the year (January 2010 – June 2010) accomplishments.
- My team and I were able to find our niche at Overbrook. We solidified connections with students and truly began to understand the system. At times I became ecstatic because of the progress my students made and maintained. But with those highs, I had lows- especially when my students did something to set them back after making such great steps forward.
- Victoria spearheaded a Parent Night for the school. We organized an after-school event in which 20+ parents (which is a ton) came and learned about on-going programs and ways their students could improve their grades.
- Because my team was sponsored by David’s Bridal, we were required to put on a fashion show. Dresses would be donated to models, and our goal was to raise money for charity foundations from ticket sales. Nadirah and Misty recruited and trained male and female students from our school into top-notch models. They showed them how to walk, swerve, and show their dresses and tuxedos. It was produced later in the year to target sales for the prom, and contained various scenes filled with both simple and complex dresses. We had over 250 people attend, raising over $500 off ticket sales. It ended up as my teams biggest hit. Almost every day after it was completed, a student or teacher asked for an encore performance.
- During the beginning of the year, my team and I established an after-school tutoring program. It was later replaced by Homework Zone (HZ). At first, I was upset with the idea of HZ- thinking it would ruin our casual format and break up our connections with students. However, HZ turned out to be amazing- providing us with materials and games that made our basic tutoring program even better. We had a constant turnout of over 20 kids, and some days we had more than 50 kids. Chess became a huge hit, and our students loved hanging out with my team and I.
It’s nice to end the year with a bang.
During the last day of our tutoring program, we threw a huge bash in honor of our students. We had loads of pizza, chips and snacks- and most importantly, a huge audience of students. Hugs were dished out, farewells were said. Students stood up and gave brief toasts on our behalf, and it was an emotional event.
One of the students I worked with, Savoy.
On my team’s final day at Overbrook, we were called down by the staff to the main office. They surprised us with gift-packages and t-shirts, coffee mugs and other presents. They wished us a touching goodbye.
The City Year team of 2010-2011 will have monstrous boots to fill at ‘Brook.
On June 8th, 2010, my team left the school for the final time.
The end of the year was a sad euphoria. It felt like I was on the clouds- so happy and proud of the relationships I built with my students and the different ways that my students had progressed and grown. But at the same time, I was sad to leave my kids and curious to know how they would fare without my help. But I knew the end would come eventually. My stay at OHS was only temporary.
On June 18th, 2010, I graduated City Year.
I am proud of my year of service. I am ready for the next chapter in my life.
The Unknowns
If you don’t have a good Team Leader of Program Manager, your City Year experience can be ruined. In contrast, if you have a fantastic Team Leader and Program Manager (like me), then you will have a better chance for a great experience.
As the year progresses, your home-life and weekend time are as valuable as gold coins. Spend time with friends wisely- you may not see them again for a long, long time.
Sometimes it isn’t about getting a student to do his homework. Rather, it may be better to talk and chat- to build a relationship and understanding instead.
Aggressive actions aren’t all bad. It is great to take initiative- especially when entering the school you serve in.
Find outlets, make clubs, and meet with people to put together sports teams. Play a sport or getting involved in physical activity at least once a month makes a huge difference. 10-12 hour days (sometimes six days a week), combined with high levels of stress really wear down the body.
City Year isn’t just a year. It is ten years of experiences jam-packed into one.
Slang Dictionary
Unsurprisingly, many of these words can be found in the Urban Dictionary. If you want a proper definition for any of these words, look there!
Bull: A young man.
Example: That bull be good at math.
Dick’ead: Idiot. A common insult.
Example: Yo, dick’ead, quit messing with my hair!
Dickeatin’: Making a mistake, doing something wrong, being stupid.
Example: Percy be dickeatin’, he took my pencil.
Drawlin’: Synonym for “Dickeatin’.” Acting out of place, causing a problem.
Example: Mr. Sam be drawlin’ ‘cuz he not lettin’ us out early!
Hype: High energy, hyper.
Example: That party was hype!
Jawn: A word that may replace any noun or attached to any noun.
Example: Yo, pass me that jawn. No, not that jawn- give me the pencil-jawn.
Joe: Synonym for “Hype.” Energetic, excited. Derived from “a cup of joe.” (Coffee)
Example: Johnell be so joe right now, running around the classroom like a weirdo.
Old Head: Someone of an older age. Can be used as a term of disrespect. Can be used to honor someone.
Example: Yeah, I was in trouble the other night, so I went over to my old head and got some advice.
Poppin’: Adjective to describe excitement.
Example: That jawn be poppin’ yo!
Saudy: Upset, mad over a certain issue.
Example: Kareem be saudy ‘cuz he failed his math test.
Stole: Hit or punched.
Example: Mr. Johnson just stole Jamil!
Weirdo: Gay, stupid, dumb. Someone who is different or wears awkward clothing.
Example: You a weirdo, why you wear those clothes?
Yo: An exclamation of agitation. A common hello.
Example: Yo, what’s up?
Example 2: Yoooooooooooooooooooooooooo why’d you do that mister?
Retention
View from the Comcast building in Philadelphia, just above the 40th floor.
Throughout City Year, I picked up many different skills. Here are just several listed below.
Writing Checks, Paying Rent: Before I came to Philadelphia I didn’t know how to write a check. I had never had to write a check- I lived with my parents. When my first month’s rent was due though I had to ask one of my roommates what to do. Now, I’m nearly turning professional at well… check writing.
Living in a City, living with roommates: City living is roughly 100% different than living in Gilbert, Arizona. No car. Public transport (a.k.a. SEPTA) and my feet took me nearly everywhere. This makes getting groceries, shopping, and commuting entirely different. A backpack was my constant companion and I’ve learned how to fit almost anything inside of it.
Complete Independence: This was the first time I lived apart from my parents, siblings, and dogs. I was been solo and it was a strange but great first year. Before I lived in Philly I considered myself very independent. I loved to do things by myself and many times refused help from others. However, I’m now used to doing everything by myself. From haircuts to grocery shopping, I have it covered.
Social Skills: My social skills were my weakness pre-August 2009. Now I’ve turned them into one of my strengths. City Year has taught (or made) me to have no fear of another person in conversation. And why should one have fear talking to another, when they may make your life easier? I used to be the guy that would rather spend hours searching for an item in a store rather than go up to an employee and ask for help. Now I realize the foolishness and naivety of what I used to do. One of the best ways to make advancements in life and succeed is to be incredibly social. Everyone loves a friendly person- and that can open doors and gates to places a silent, shy man/women normally couldn’t get to.
Working with Students: Working with students taught me a new level of patience. I thought I had patience down before… but wow, I was I wrong. Being a teacher, a mentor, a tutor takes infinite truckloads of the universal matter called “patience.” With a lot of students, the last thing they want to do is homework or a classroom assignment. Maneuvering through the minefields of getting students to work and become successful has transformed my definition of patience.
Working with Teachers: Working with teachers piggy-backs on the improvement on my social skills. In order to be effective with my students I required a noble and fluid relationship with my teachers. To do that, I had to be talkative and come out of my shell. But it wasn’t long until I learned to enjoy and love the conversations I had with my teachers.
Leadership: I came into City Year as a brash, me-over-you leader. It wasn’t purposeful, but I was aggressive to get my opinions heard and oftentimes my voice would mute that of another. I didn’t necessarily realize the strength of my own opinions and I didn’t wisely share them with a group using a proper manner of intellect. However, I have learned timing- when to voice my opinions and when to counter those of others. I have learned to lead a wide variety of personalities, and in return I have learned to follow a wide variety of leaders.
I am continuously asked, was City Year worth it? If I had the knowledge I now have about the program, would I have still joined?
Yes. City Year was worth it in so many ways. I would choose to do it again in a heartbeat, knowing all I do from my experience in Philly. It was a different experience by itself going into the program knowing very little- and that is something I now cherish about it.
Infinity and Beyond
Post-it note with a student’s goals on it. Completed for Eugene’s Art Aware project.
So, what’s next for Sam McGuffin?
In the fall I am planning to attend the University of Arizona for a dual degree program with a B.S in Biochemistry and a B.A in Latin American Studies. I’m aiming to do medical/scientific research as an undergraduate, and I wish to travel and study abroad as much as I can over the course of these next few years.
My main goal is to provide education and health care to those in need.
As for this blog, it will be continued for a much longer time. This will be the final post relating to City Year. In the future, it will continue to pertain to my day-to-day, week-to-week experiences.
Thanks for reading, and best wishes to you all.
-TWO-12
