Building the Bridge

Counselors and Students do countless activities together, all ending with smiles!

From outdoor field-trips to work in the classroom, joy is one thing that follows Bridges participants in all that they do. This happiness is apparent in the reviews of the program shared by current counselors and students. I spoke with current students and counselors at last week's Saturday College and through the interviews I began to better understand the positive influence that the program has brought to the lives of the participants.

One counselor, Emily Barksdale, pointed out that her main goal  is for Bridges students to understand that "it's okay to be themselves."  There is nothing more empowering than to be acknowledged for personal strength, and the Bridges students are recognized for their individual achievements rather than being expected to fit a mold. This coincides perfectly with the slogan of Bridges, which is that the students involved have "potential that outdistances their circumstances." The students are encouraged and motivated by the energetic counselors to be the best that they can possibly be, regardless of outside circumstances.

The interviews with two Bridges students allowed me to gauge the first-hand impact that the counselors have on students' lives, both inside and outside of college-prep. One student described the counselors as being very well-balanced between responsibility and recreation. The counselors work hard to plant seeds of substantial study habits by keeping them informed of due dates for applications and SAT/ACT tests and holding them accountable for their schoolwork. This hard work is matched by games, stories, and activities that have created a fun and youthful community among the students.

The main message that I gathered through the interviews is that Bridges to a Brighter Future is a positive, life-changing program that has only yielded great results for all involved. From being described as life-changing by a student, to "the BEST summer program in the world" by counselor Geena Stith, it is easy to see how highly the participants view the program from both ends of the spectrum. If you would like to feel the impact for yourself, check out the Bridges website to view some testimonies from past Bridges students!

As I continue following Bridges counselors throughout this semester I hope to delve into the projects and work that they do in order to understand the positive results for myself. In the next few weeks I will focus on the more functional side of the program, looking at the guidance that the counselors provide for the logistical side of Bridges, such as the test prep, applications, and additional work necessary to build the bridge to graduation and college acceptance.

Photo credit: Tobi Swartz, Dean Bailey, and Bridges to a Brighter Future