Treya Swords - The First Day of High School

​A warm welcome to everyone who just began their service and to all the Vistas who are continuing to serve. My name is Treya Swords, and I’m serving with Communities in Schools at Waverly High School in Lansing, Michigan. Our office is new to this school and this district so each connection we make must be sought out, each bridge newly built. My Communities in Schools team- our overflowing binders held close to our chests- were hopeful that our first day at school would go well.

The beginning of service has felt similar to the first day of school, except no one packed me a lunch. I didn’t know where any of my classes were, I had no idea where my locker was and I’m still looking for how to fulfill all of my credits so I can graduate from my service! This was a great opportunity to empathize with that overwhelming feeling that most of the students are experiencing beginning or continuing their high school years. If you are a person with only really fond memories of high school you are likely in the minority. I am happy to be in a position to ease some of the challenges of the high school years.

I’m at such a different stage of my life than I was last time I was in high school. I’ve lived overseas in Palau (no one knows where it is, don’t feel too bad!) for the last decade and I missed so many things. The Kardashians. Uber. Active shooter trainings being part of the school environment. I’m essentially a new student in a newly evolved paradigm. I can’t look at this high school environment through the lens of my past experiences and have it be in focus. I find myself looking again, with a beginner’s mind, at what it means to be propelled into adulthood after spending just under a quarter of your life in these hallways, classrooms, being supported and guided by the teachers and programs available here. I listen, welcoming the voices of the teachers and students to enlighten me about what it means to part of this community.
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It’s not the same for every student, however, many are facing unseen obstacles—ones that I recall from my own youth. I feel grateful that I have been galvanized by so many difficult life experiences that I’m now in a position where my guidance can serve as knowledge for anyone interested. The students who come to our classroom are facing barriers such as hunger, shelter, and emotional support. They find us though. Even with us being the new kids at school they have begun trickling in, seeking out the resources that they need to succeed. When I think about our program in terms of where we fit into the students’ processes, I think of us like Maslow’s Hierarchy. You may be familiar with this pyramid; it builds from the bottom of the most basic of our needs- the food and shelter and the emotional systems- until it eventually reaches the pinnacle of self-actualization or transcendence. We can help our students build that infrastructure and reach their goals. It’s inspiring to begin understanding how this program being in the school can facilitate this process for students.