Growing up in a large family, things were not always easy for Cherokee at home or at school. Cherokee cares deeply about her family and often prioritized responsibilities at home over schoolwork and school attendance. Because of this, she had poor relationships with school staff and was behind in her academics. Few in her family have graduated high school, and there have not been many to guide her towards success. Cherokee needed a safe space to learn and grow and a community of support who could encourage her to take charge of her own future.
Cherokee was referred to Communities In Schools three years ago when she was a ninth grader at Northwest High School and met Cooper Spruill, the CISNT Site Coordinator there. Mr. Spruill recalls, “Cherokee was shy, reluctant, and hesitant.” He recognized that she had a difficult time connecting with her peers and adults. Cherokee began attending CIS lunch groups, although her participation was, as Mr. Spruill describes, “at her own pace”. As Cherokee had struggled to build positive relationships with people in the past, it took her time to open up and to feel comfortable with Mr. Spruill and her peers in the program.
Last school year, Mr. Spruill connected Cherokee to the CISNT AmeriCorps Member at Northwest High School, Alexis Smith. Ms. Smith served as a role model and an advocate for Cherokee, and the two developed a strong bond. Ms. Smith encouraged Cherokee and helped her to see a brighter future.
This school year, Mr. Spruill immediately recognized a shift in Cherokee. Mr. Spruill shares, “earlier this year I began to notice a change in Cherokee’s academic achievement that correlated directly to an internal decision Cherokee made concerning her own education.” Cherokee was determined to forge her own path and built a support system for herself at school. She sought out help from the school counselors, school support staff, and CIS to provide her with the tools and resources to be successful in her classes.
Mr. Spruill says, “Cherokee made this school year “her year” by actively engaging and pursuing her education. Through her hard work and effort, Cherokee’s grades have transformed to straight “A” status. Now, she is the second of several brothers and sisters poised to graduate high school next year.”
The effect of Cherokee’s powerful shift in outlook, attitude, and achievement extends well beyond her academic success. Even one of the school administrators who had struggled to build a positive relationship with her expressed to Mr. Spruill the obvious change in her attitude they had witnessed. In wanting to actively work towards her future Cherokee has applied for and been awarded a summer job at a local restaurant. Cherokee aims to use her funds to help her achieve a future career in cosmetology.
CIS is a safe space for Cherokee where she can be herself. Mr. Spruill saw Cherokee’s potential from the moment he met her as a ninth grader. Now, Cherokee knows her own potential, takes ownership of her education and is on a path to a very bright future. During one of Mr. Spruill and Cherokee’s one-on-one grade review sessions, Mr. Spruill told Cherokee “I am very proud of the maturity and ownership you have displayed throughout the year.” With a tear falling down her cheek, Cherokee responded, “I’m proud of myself too.”
CISNT is so proud of Cherokee and the strides that she has made towards educational success. Cherokee was recently recognized as the 2021 CISNT Student of the Year at Northwest High School. CISNT believes in the power of transformative relationships built on trust and the impact that it can have on a student’s future. There is no doubt that Cherokee will accomplish anything that she sets her mind to, and we are excited to support her through to graduation next year!
