Creating leaders of character is the goal of One World youth clubs, and fourth graders at John F. Kennedy School recently had a visit from some unique women who exemplify the traits their teachers are hoping to encourage in them. Five cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point visited the elementary school on Thursday to speak with the Port Chester and Rye Brook students.
Board of Education President Carolee Brakewood, whose nephew actually attended West Point, was thrilled that the cadets’ talk encouraged the elementary students to consider their futures. “You should all aspire to one day go to college, and if you’re a really good student, maybe you could go to West Point,” Brakewood told all the fourth graders. Before visiting Kennedy School, the cadets dropped by Park Avenue School to meet with two groups of fifth graders. At both locations the cadets talked about goal setting, including short term ones and long term ones like going to college, and the importance of hard work and determination to reach those goals. While not new subjects, the West Point cadets encouraged audience participation, having students read sections of the PowerPoint slides or explain in their own words what certain phrases meant. They also talked a bit about their lives and included personal stories to drive home their points.
For example, when talking about how hard work is often needed to overcome obstacles, Cadet Christmas Linzy shared the tale of how she ended up at West Point. Despite her intense desire to attend, she was told she was not physically fit enough and did not fit the criteria. Refusing to give up, she called back day after day, asking the admissions officer what new things she could do to increase her chances. Her perseverance paid off and she will soon be graduating from the Academy.
At the end of the presentation, the cadets took questions from the students. While several JFK fourth graders got stuck on the idea of jumping out of a plane, one girl dove straight into the matter. “Will you guys risk your lives for ours?” she asked. “Of course,” the cadets immediately replied.
The impetus for the cadets’ visit started when One World founder Joe Carvin attended a football game at the Academy. The chairman of the One World board, Matt Collier, attended West Point and invited Carvin to go with him to a game. They ended up sitting next to someone high up in the academy and Carvin mentioned how the characteristics exemplified by West Point students matched up perfectly with the goals of One World. Given the Academy is interested in outreach to underrepresented minorities, forming a partnership seemed perfect. Carvin was put in contact with Major Betty Myrthil, who reached out to Cadet Lt. Yomanda Martin. Martin then put out a notice to some of her fellow cadets to see if they were willing to volunteer their time.
