Welcome to another edition of #Snapshot, where we bring you a little slice of what’s going on at Summer Search.
Senator and Panel Moderator Mo Cowan with Boston student Rishtly.
Our Boston office recently held their Fall Event, which featured a panel discussion with Boston leaders, including new Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang, Gladys Vega from the Chelsea Collaborative, and former Massachusetts Senator Mo Cowan, as well as two Summer Search Boston alums — Denise Rodrigues and Ronald German.
The title of the event was A Conversation with Boston’s Leaders of Today and Tomorrow, which provided our audience of more than 250 students the chance to have a candid discussion with established leaders who may share their backgrounds/experiences, and be able to envision themselves in those future leadership roles.
Boston student Carlos asking a question of the panel.
#ChangeTheNarrative
One key takeaway was the idea that there is no leadership without failure, and that the path to success is not linear or the same for everyone. As Superintendent Tommy Chang put it:
“Success will be defined by how YOU define it, now how others do.”
#CirclesOfSupport #ReachOut
Boston alum Denise Rodriguez encouraged our young leaders to speak up when they are struggling, and reminded them of the importance of mentors in their lives:
“I couldn’t have gotten where I am without the HELP of a lot of people. You can’t be afraid to ask for help.”
#PassItOn
Finally, alum Ronald German left the crowd with his hopes for their bright futures:
“I can’t wait to see ALL OF YOU up on a stage like this.”
From left to right: Mo Cowan, Denise Rodriguez, Tommy Chang, Ronald German and Gladys Vega.