YABC Testimonials
“I’m proud to say I received my diploma because of the Stevenson YABC. It was hard getting up early rushing to school every day and YABC offered a better option for me. More importantly, they helped me get ready for college and work! Because of YABC, I was able to get me my first real job opportunity as an intern. I started my internship working with the Department of Education, assisting with the young children in an elementary school. This opportunity changed my life in so many ways - it was just a step up on my ladder of success. The internship was such a success that the school hired me full time after I received my diploma. That was all the motivation for me. I studied nonstop day and night I took my regents and passed with flying colors. I’ve been working with the department of education for nine years. Deciding to take my future into my own hands and to join Stevenson YABC is one of the greatest decisions that I have ever made. I am still working for the department of education as a school aide and still a part of YABC community.”
Denzel Morgan
YABC Alumni
To introduce myself my name is Elizabeth Gillett, I am 19 years of age and currently enrolled in the YABC Program at Tottenville high school, on Staten Island. My YABC experience started in early 2020 being a senior who didn't have all my credits to graduate with my class. I was informed by my former day school principal Ms.Henry and Mr.Pavel, who is the assistant principal’s “right hand in the program”, that being a YABC student would benefit me. It would allow me to recover the credits I was missing by attending their program and also attending my regular day school. Attendance, cooperation, and communication in the program also goes a long way because as we are trying to benefit ourselves, by educating ourselves. They are also trying to help us reach that goal. I soon after became a student of the program and my day school. It was great to know I would have graduated on time, but unfortunately life doesn’t get easier and a lot of misfortunate events started to happen a few months later into the year of 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic took place and soon after my home was destroyed by a fire. My family and I are alive, still managing, and making a better present and future for ourselves. Thanks to Mr.Pavel and Ms.Pecora, a guidance counselor from my former day school, I am now only a YABC student. I can work and also attend the program in the afternoon which I very much appreciate. I will be a high school graduate by the end of January 2022 and I need to emphasize my appreciation to myself-motivation, my family and this wonderful program.
Elizabeth C. Gillett
YABC Alumni
“I will always refer to my time in Lehman YABC as my state of grace. THe staff & teachers always have gone out of their way to make their students succeed and not simply graduate. I went from falling out of high schools, to not graduating with my initial ‘year of class’, to becoming a highly decorated & educated student. Lehman YABC gifted me opportunities, support, & guidance to help me flourish beyond the four walls I was mushrooming in. My academics & grades flourished at a rate I couldn’t believe whilst my relationship to school had convalesced. Even after graduation the support has only grown; offering multiple resources of jobs, education & ways of enrichment. Lehman YABC helped me build a castle with bricks thrown at me
Vanessa McKenna
Lehman YABC Alumni
YABC was a big help for me overall. It is the type of program where everything you need is offered to you if you want it. Some kids come here and take advantage of the opportunities given here. For example, when I first came into this program almost a year ago, I was failing to the point where my home school called me a lost cause. I had no Regents exams passed and was missing 18 credits. Now, I am proud to say that I am sitting on three more credits and all my Regents exams are completed. I took advantage of all the resources and opportunities given to me by YABC and used it to better myself overall. I would highly advise anyone around my age that is struggling with High School to get to a YABC because it will change your life!
John Adorno
YABC Alumni
