Salyna Rae Anza and Laura Reales.  Salyna from the town of Northborough in Massachusetts and Laura from the country of Columbia in South America.  Two successful students enrolled in Suffolk University’s Entrepreneurial Studies program came to Hope High today to

share their stories of ‘change’, ‘risk’, and ‘entrepreneurship’

and

the ‘perseverance’ and ‘hard work’ each requires.

Jennifer (top left) and Aileen (bottom left) introduce themselves to today’s guests from Suffolk University, Laura (top right) and Salyna prior to today’s Life Skills class.

Our Life Skills class hosts were Jennifer Quenes and Aileen Rodriguez Jimenez.

Aileen and Jennifer escort Laura and Salyna into the Life Skills class for their introduction to the rest of the class.

Jennifer and Aileen introduce Laura and Salyna to their fellow Hope High School Life Skills classmates.

Laura begins sharing her story while Salyna (right of Salyna), Jennifer (left of Laura) and the rest of the class listen.

Laura began today’s conversation. “My transition to Boston from Columbia wasn’t easy.  It was cold!  And, I didn’t know anyone.  Initially, the people in Boston seemed distant.  I really had to push myself out of my comfort zone to meet new people…..Now, Salyna and I are best friends……And

I work very hard to get good grades;

I only got two hours of sleep last night……“.

Salyna’s story was slightly different. “My path to Suffolk was longer.  I didn’t do well in high school.  I decided to go to community college to focus on my studies after high school.  I then worked hard to achieve my academic goals.   My grades were so good that Suffolk University gave me a full scholarship.  Like Laura, I am in the Entrepreneurship program.  I continue to studying long hours as well as having a job.  College is a great experience.  I’m glad I chose Suffolk”.

Laura and Salyna continued their stories about their families and the fact both women are the first to go to college from their families.  Our conversation also turned to respect and the

importance of being ‘on time‘.

“We left this morning at 4:30am to come to Hope High.  We got here early, around 6:30am, so we had breakfast at the Wayland Diner before coming to Hope…… I hate being late.  It’s a sign of disrespect.  Whenever you’re late, it essentially says to the person you’re meeting ‘your time is not important’.  Being late doesn’t help your brand and certainly doesn’t help you get or keep the job you want” Salyna concluded.

Today’s class concluded with our usual networking session at the end of class and the hope of reconnecting with both Salyna and Laura in the near future.

Salyna exchanges business cards with Fernando Perez and Gisabel Salcedo while Salyna’s shares more of her story.

Isabel Romero, Aileen and Laura share a laugh during the Life Skills networking session.

Salyna exchanges business cards with Jessica Dough while Hafzat Akanni (back left in yellow blouse) wait to exchange her business cards and speak with Salyna.

Today’s guest was Junior Jabbe, the Executive Manager of Business Development and Customer Relationships at Banneker Industries in North Smithfield, Rhode Island.   Our ‘Life Skills’ host was Fernando Perez who welcomed Junior to Hope and our ‘Life Skills’ class.

Junior’s story was about ‘change’.

Fernando (left in photo) and ‘Life Skills’ class guest, Junior Jabbe (right)

“I was a ‘knucklehead’. My high school experience started poorly. Bad grades and trouble with the principal.   But then, I found something I became passionate (my ‘Element‘) about.  Or, maybe it found me.  Football.  I enjoyed it;  it made me feel good.   As a result, I worked hard to keep playing.  I became an honor roll student and stayed out of trouble.  I also worked hard in the weight room so I could excel on the field.”

Fernando and the rest of the class listening to Junior’s story about his bright, red socks!

Sydney Flanagan is a singer, songwriter, musician and performing artist.   She is presently a sophomore at Dighton Rehoboth Regional High School.   Sydney visited our ‘Life Skills’ class yesterday to share her story.  Gisabel Salcedo was our class host, welcoming Sydney and her father, Matthew, to Hope and introducing them to her ‘Life Skills’ classmates.

Sydney Flanagan (right).  Matthew Flanagan (center) and our host, Gisabel Salcedo, listen as Sydney began her story.

Sydney’s story is about a person finding their “Element“;

as creativity expert, Sir Ken Robinson, has told the world, a person finds their ‘Element’ when they’re doing things they like to do and they do it well! Robinson contends the “Element” experience enables people to be themselves, to be excited about what they’re doing and, in the process, achieve the highest level of personal satisfaction.  Sydney told the class “I found music.  It’s always been a part of our home.  My Dad’s a musician…. I enrolled in the School of Rock and met a lot of new people who also have a passion for music…. I felt a little nervous in the beginning….  Because we all love music, I made friends quickly…….We practice together, collaborate to write songs and perform in different clubs in the area……  music has helped me push myself out of my comfort zone to do things I once questioned I could….. I feel good when I’m playing, singing and composing with my friends.“

Sydney performing one of her songs for the class. She explained she composed this particular song in 90 minutes, just in time to play it for her father as his gift on Father’s Day.