By Erubey Lopez, Program Associate
On October 3rd, a group of 110 8th graders from six Vermont schools gathered at VSU Lyndon for a day of connection, personal identity exploration, and visualization of future goals and aspirations. Hosted by the Vermont Rural Education Collaborative (VREC), with support from UP for Learning, students from Miller’s Run, Burke, Lowell, Waits River, Saint Johnsbury, and Danville engaged in thoughtful discussion surrounding the day’s guiding questions: who am I, and who do I aspire to be?
The importance of connection and relationship building was evident throughout the day. To start, youth participated in a team building activity, called Team Tally, that saw them working across school groups to count the number of buttons on their clothing and recall the exact number of trails they’d been on that year (among other tasks that would win their group points). This joyful competition segued into a discussion on core values, which one student defined as “the ideals you hold yourself to.”
With each individual identifying the three core values that speak to them the most, the group was asked to consider how these values influence their thinking about the future. Values like creativity, freedom, respect, justice, achievement, and humor were highlighted by youth, with the acknowledgement that they’d hold these values close to them in any path they choose.
Students shared their specific aspirations in the following activity, which prompted youth to gather with others who share a vision for what they’d like to do after high school. Among the responses were aspirations to be an artist, an equine veterinarian, a police officer, a mechanic, and an art teacher. Other students weren’t sure yet about which path they’d like to take, but found solace in knowing that others were in the same position.
To conclude the morning, the group worked with data from the results of a survey they had each taken the week prior. The data revealed that 80% of the room agreed with the statement “I stand up for what I believe in.” The high percentage wasn’t a shock to this group, with one youth adding, “kids going to this conference have a lot of self-belief and believe they can achieve great things.”
The quality of self-belief echoed throughout the day, along with other strengths presented by the data set. Youth identified the data set’s biggest strengths as how well students get along, that they expect to be successful, and that they share future plans with family, friends and adults. The group also identified areas to grow as they enter high school, as they hope to be further involved in school decisions and develop more confidence in their goals and aspirations.
This group of 8th graders from Northeastern Vermont schools exemplified key leadership skills throughout the day as they imagined what life will look like in high school, and beyond.
