MEET LEWIS!

Lewis is a 15-year-old sophomore at Boy’s Latin of Philadelphia Charter School. He was nominated by David Hardy, CEO of Boy’s Latin and a Summer Search Philadelphia board member, and his Summer Search mentors are Adam Yukelson and Joni Roberson.

How does it feel to be in Summer Search?
To earn my spot in Summer Search was such a great honor. I talk to Adam every week. To have somebody who looks out for me, to have somebody who actually cares – a male figure in my life – is a great thing to have. Not many African-America males nowadays have something like that. I felt like that was missing in my life, before.

Why do you think you were chosen to be in Summer Search?
I think why they may have chosen me is that I’m an inquisitive young man who likes to learn things and I’m always open to new challenges. I want to be a psychologist, so I can be there whenever people need help or to talk to somebody, like the mentors in Summer Search. Not many people have somebody to talk to about their problems.

Have you learned anything about yourself from being in Summer Search?
When me and Joni had our first heart-to-heart, I was told that I was out of touch, and that I tried to evade questions and not talk personally about myself. Eventually, they helped me move on, and now I’m able to talk to people more personally. It makes me feel a lot better. It’s lifted a burden off me, because whenever I used to talk to people they may not have been able to understand where I was coming from because I was so evasive or I tried to keep people out. Now I’m able to take people in and give myself to other people as well.

According to his referral source, David Hardy, “An opportunity like this is just a godsend for a kid like Lewis. I think he could use some time getting away on his own, getting his legs under him, and being away from home. He’s the kind of kid who would take this opportunity and really run with it. Anything you ask him to do, you can always expect a very strong effort.”

Adam and Joni said that Lewis stood out from the start as one of the most articulate students they have ever met, and that: “Even back to the Outreach presentation, he had better definitions for Summer Search than either Joni or I could come up with.” This summer, Lewis will be going to sailing with SEA Education Association – according to Joni: “He has been so passionate about doing something involving boats and sailing – to give him anything else would have been a crime. The joy with which he comes into the office and talks about going on a boat… you would think we had given him a million dollars!” Joni and Adam agree that they are already proud of Lewis’ growth in the program: “We had a tough check-in at first, but he’s been very consistent, and always brought a lot of appreciation and enthusiasm. It’s been lovely to watch him begin to let his guard down and interact with other students in ways that are really giving.”