Tymarion, CIS Alumni
Luella High School Graduate
Tymarion is from the small, Southern town of Vidalia, Georgia, where he was born and raised by his mother and grandmother along with three younger brothers.
When the family relocated, Tymarion began his high school journey at Luella High School and was consistently an Honor Roll student in spite of feeling out of place. Music was his passion and his escape. He loved singing and could be seen striding through the halls listening to his ear pods.
But, his smarts weren’t enough to carry him to graduation and his talents were in danger of going unnoticed.
In class, instead of showing off through his mastery of the subject, Tymarion was often hostile to his peers and involved in frequent conflicts that threatened his education.
Senior year he was connected to a Communities In Schools site coordinator to learn peer-to-peer interaction and conflict resolution skills.
Now, Tymarion calls his CIS site coordinator, Ms. Gray, Auntie Gray because of their bond. Ms. Gray worked with him in small expression groups weekly where students share their thoughts and feelings freely and practice respectful and healthy conversations.
He graduated this year and is launching an event planning business with his mom!
I’m really proud of the interpersonal skills I gained through Communities In Schools ability to avoid hostile encounters. —TYMARION
Jamari, Sophomore, CIS Student
Stockbridge High School
When Jamari was in middle school he was expelled frequently and singled out by teachers as a kid with a bad attitude. All the missed classes were having a detrimental effect on his work, and it didn’t seem like he would make it to the next grade, never mind high school graduation.
Then, he was referred to Communities In Schools. Quickly, his CIS site coordinator became a mentor
She is there for me, someone I have in school. It’s been great to have someone in my corner. To help me and encourage me to be a better person and a better student. —JAMARI
Jamari’s behavior changed. He learned to be a role model and a leader. He even came out of his comfort zone by joining the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports—an approach that promotes school safety and good behavior) team and the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) academy.
He soon started passing classes, which boosted his faith in himself and his abilities.
Now, I’m excited to get a Communities In Schools graduation stole in a couple of years because they’re helping me make it there.