Jonathan, a rising 9th grader attending Carver's high school summer transition program

Describe your favorite memory at the Norwalk High School Summer Transition Program.

“I liked the dodgeball tournament. It was a lot of fun.”

Who is your role model?

“I look up to my older brother. He’s 21. I ask him a lot of questions and he always gives good advice.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I haven’t figured out what I want to be yet, but I’m interested in gaming.”

What is your biggest dream?

“I want to go skydiving.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m proud of graduating middle school because I was struggling but I learned to ask the teachers for help and my dad gave me the encouragement I needed to succeed.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“That I need to be prepared for more work.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“I’d say that it’s useful because it helps you prepare for high school and get ahead on your summer work.”

Justin, a rising 9th grader attending Carver's high school summer transition program

Describe your favorite memory at the Norwalk High School Summer Transition Program.

“I liked going zip lining. We went to an adventure park in Bridgeport. I was scared of heights but did it anyways, and I’m happy that I did.”

Who is your role model?

“J. Cole is my role model. He’s really inspiring and helps out a lot with his community. He made an album with artists who weren’t well known to help them succeed. He’s my favorite rapper.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I’m not sure yet, but I really like making cool designs and I’m interested in being an entrepreneur. I like to make designs for clothing and I sketch a lot.”

What is your biggest dream?

“I’d want to go back to the adventure park and do the double black diamond course.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m proud of how I’ve done in science because all throughout middle school I had bad grades in science but in eighth grade I started getting As.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“I need to be really, really organized for high school.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“It’s really fun and useful experience.”

Mason, a rising 9th grader attending Carver's high school transition program

Describe your favorite memory at the Norwalk High School Summer Transition Program.

“The trip to the Maritime Aquarium. First, we went to see a movie about underwater nature, and then we went on a boat and caught crabs and zooplankton.”

Who is your role model?

“I look up to my dad because he also played football in high school and I hope to be just like him. I practice with him a lot.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be in the NFL but if that doesn’t work out, I’d want to be a cop.”

What is your biggest dream?

“I’d want to create something that’s useful and helpful to the community.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I made a goal to make honors all four quarters throughout all my middle school years and I accomplished it.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“To stay on top of my assignments and be organized.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“It makes you a lot less worried for high school.”

Rachel, a rising 9th grader attending Carver high school summer transition program

Describe your favorite memory at the Norwalk High School Summer Transition Program.

“I really like the classes I have. We take science, math, social studies, and study skills. Study skills was especially useful because we learned how to prioritize our goals, use planners, and take a test.”

Who is your role model?

“I look up to my sister because she helps me with anything that I’m struggling with. She’s 14 .”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I look up to my sister because she has a great personality and she’s an amazing person.”

What is your biggest dream?

“When I grow up, I want to have my own stuff and have what my family maybe couldn’t have. I want to be successful.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“You have to try your best in order to get to where you want to be.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“It’s an opportunity to make new friends and meet new people, and this is really useful going into high school.”

Norah, a rising 9th grader attending Carver's high school summer transition program

Describe your favorite memory at the Brien McMahon High School Summer Transition Program.

“The first day was really fun. I made new friends and got to know some of the teachers.”

Who is your role model?

“My older sister. She’s 18. She motivates me to do things and if I ever feel like I can’t do something, she’ll help me with it and give me encouragement. I had this presentation where I had to speak in front of a bunch of people that I didn’t really know, and she was there to help me practice. It was hard for me, but I was able to get up there and give the presentation because of the encouragement my sister gave me.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a nurse or a pediatrician. I babysit so I’m good with kids and my whole family works in the medical area so I think I’d like it.”

What is your biggest dream?

“I’d want to build a huge building that has an important purpose and is well-constructed. I’m interested in architecture.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“Graduating middle school. I was worried that I wasn’t going to make it because I went through so many struggles in middle school. My grades were up and down but I managed to make it here!”

How has this program helped you prepare for high school?

“Before my first day here I thought there was going to be a huge amount of kids, and I don’t do well with that because I get anxious when there are a lot of people around. I thought that no one was going to talk to me, and the building is so big so I was worried that I was going to get lost. But on the first day I made a bunch of friends and talked to lots of people. Now I feel a lot more comfortable and I know my way around the building.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“To treat people with respect and be nice to everyone.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“You should come here because if you’re going to start high school and you want to know what you’re going to be facing, you’ll get a headstart here. When the first day comes, you won’t be a total stranger and you’ll know your way around and have friends that you can talk to if you need help.”

Rosa, a rising 9th grader attending our summer high school transition program

Describe your favorite memory at the Brien McMahon High School Summer Transition Program.

“My favorite memory was when I first got here and met everyone. I made lots of friends.”

Who is your role model?

“My mom. She’s a very independent woman and she tells me to never give up and to work hard and accomplish my dreams. She works really hard, and she inspires me to do the same.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a nurse or a police officer because I like helping people.”

What is your biggest dream?

“I really like writing, so I’d want to write a book about my life. I came here five years ago from Honduras, and I want to talk about what my life was like in that country because it’s so different than life here.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“That I’m here and about to go to high school.”

How has this program helped you prepare for high school?

“I was scared, and the school is really big so I thought I’d get lost, but this has helped me feel more comfortable.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“To treat people the way you want to be treated.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“You should do this program because it’s really helpful and the teachers help you with math, public speaking, and other subjects to prepare you for high school.”

Jayson, attending our Brien McMahon High School Summer Transition Program for rising 9th graders

Describe your favorite memory at the Brien McMahon High School Summer Transition Program.

“My favorite memory was just hanging out with my friends here. We had a basketball tournament for 2 hours that was a lot of fun.”

Who is your role model?

“My dad. He teaches me a lot and I relate to him a lot.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I’d like to be in the NBA, but I’d also like to work with technology since that’s where the future is headed.”

What is your biggest dream?

“To go to Hawaii or Dubai.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“Making it to high school.”

How has this program helped you prepare for high school?

“They take you on a tour of the school so that you have a headstart and you don’t get lost on the first day. You get to know more people so you get to have more friends since it can be hard for people to go into a school not really knowing anybody.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“Watch who you hang out with.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“It’s a warm-up for high school. Middle school is very different so this program teaches you how to be successful in high school.”

Myles attending our Brien McMahon High School summer transition program for rising 9th graders

Describe your favorite memory at the Brien McMahon High School Summer Transition Program.

“After lunch once, we played football and I scored five touchdowns!”

Who is your role model?

“My dad. He teaches me man-to-man stuff which is really important as I get older.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a musician. I play the drums. That’s my plan A, but my plan B would be to be a teacher for social studies or science.”

What is your biggest dream?

“I want to go to Paris.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“Making it to high school.”

How has this program helped you prepare for high school?

“It makes you a lot more confident because you can make new friends and learn your way around the school so that you’re prepared once school starts.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“Stay on top of your schoolwork.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“It teaches you about high school and will help you adjust to the change.”

Bella, a rising 6th grader at our Ponus Ridge Middle School Summer Transition Program

Describe your favorite memory at the Ponus Ridge Middle School Summer Transition Program.

“I saw one of my friends that I hadn’t seen in a while. We were good friends in kindergarten and then got split up since then because we went to different schools, but we met again here.”

Who is your role model?

“I look up to my sister because she helps me with anything that I’m struggling with. She’s 14 .”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“A teacher. I really like all of the subjects we learn, but I love art, so I think I would like to be an art teacher.”

What is your biggest dream?

“I want to be able to sing in front of people without getting nervous.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“Once I sang in front of a lot of people at church. I was still really nervous but I was happy I did it. I sang a song in Spanish.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“Now I know how many periods there are and where I need to go.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“I need to be really, really organized for middle school.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“It’s really fun and a great experience.”

Gabbi, a rising 6th grader at our Ponus Ridge Middle School Summer Transition Program

Describe your favorite memory at the Ponus Ridge Middle School Summer Transition Program.

“I like recess because you can play with anyone you want and you can play whatever game you want.”

Who is your role model?

“My older cousin. I play baseball with him sometimes and he helps me practice.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be an actress. It would be a really fun job to be able to play many different roles and see how things work behind the scenes.”

What is your biggest dream?

“I want to go indoor skydiving.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m really into cooking, and I’m proud of the first time I baked. I made brownies.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“I’ve gotten used to transitioning between different classes.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“To be prepared for class.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“It’s basically middle school in the summer.”

Mohammed, a rising 6th grader at our Ponus Middle School Summer Transition Program

Describe your favorite memory at the Ponus Middle School Summer Transition Program.

“I like the coding program because I really like technology. We use a program called Codemonkey.”

Who is your role model?

“I always look up to the older kids at school because they always do their work respectfully.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be an engineer because they build stuff to make our lives better.”

What is your biggest dream?

“To go to Los Angeles and go to the Roblox headquarters.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“Getting into the Noetic Math Contest for gifted and talented kids.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“It helped me decide which type of class I want to do. I think I’m going to pick robotics.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“To stay on top of my work.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“Fun and educational.”

Joel, a rising 6th grader this summer at Ponus Ridge Middle School

Describe your favorite memory at the Ponus Ridge Middle School Summer Transition Program.

“My favorite memory was meeting new friends.”

Who is your role model?

“Three people: my uncle, Messi, who is a soccer player, and my dad. I look up to them because they’re all really good soccer players and I love soccer. My dad is an amazing goalie and I’m a goalie too. And my uncle helps me a lot and picks me up whenever I’m down.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a professional soccer player. I’ve been playing soccer since I was two years old.”

What is your biggest dream?

“To go cliff diving.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“Participating in the Invention Convention.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“I’ve learned how important it is to be prepared for your classes.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“To stay organized.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“A great way to spend the summer.”

Lana, a rising 6th grader at Roton Middle School this summer

Describe your favorite memory at the Roton Middle School Summer Transition Program.

“I really liked using the game room and playing foosball with my friends.”

Who is your role model?

“This fictional character who is really powerful and smart. His name is Albus Dumbledore, and he’s from Harry Potter.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a lawyer. I have an interest in the law and the three branches of government.”

What is your biggest dream?

“To be an astronaut. It would be really cool to go to space.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I had a concert at an important building in Norwalk. I played the violin.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“We’ve learned who some of the teachers are and where the cafeteria and the library are, and where some of the classes will be held.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“I’ve gotten better at math, especially with multiplying fractions and word problems.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“It’s a preview to middle school.”

Steven, a rising 6th grader at Roton Middle School this summer

Describe your favorite memory at the Roton Middle School Summer Transition Program.

“My favorite memory here is playing dodgeball with all my friends. It’s really fun.”

Who is your role model?

“I really look up to my mom. She’s really successful. She’s a medical assistant and I want to be a scientist when I grow up. My mom really liked science as a kid.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a scientist because science is my second favorite subject, besides math. I like learning about earth and space”

What is your biggest dream?

“To go in a spaceship and explore space. I’m really fascinated by space.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“If I didn’t go to this program, I would have been lost on the first day, but now I know where everything is.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“To listen to the teacher while they’re talking. One day I didn’t, and then I had no idea what was going on!”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“It’s super fun!”

Iker, a rising 6th grader at Roton Middle School this summer

Describe your favorite memory at the Roton Middle School Summer Transition Program.

“My favorite memory here is playing matball. It’s like baseball, but with mats.”

Who is your role model?

“My dad. It’s really cool how he takes the risk of going 50 feet in the air to paint buildings.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a neurosurgeon. I feel like that would be a really good job. I’d get to help people so they can go home to their families.”

What is your biggest dream?

“I want to discover a different galaxy.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m proud of going down the biggest ramp at the skatepark.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“I’ve been able to get to know some of the teachers which will help when school starts.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“To listen to the teacher and pay attention in class.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“It’s awesome. I feel really bad for anyone that couldn’t come here!”

Melanie, rising 6th grader at Roton Middle School this summer

Describe your favorite memory at the Roton Middle School Summer Transition Program.

“My favorite memory is meeting my friend, Lana, and playing foosball in the gameroom.”

Who is your role model?

“My grandmother who sadly passed away when I was 5. She was always so nice to me.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a singer-songwriter or a radio host. I like to sing. And I’d like to be a radio host because you get to talk to people and express your feelings.”

What is your biggest dream?

“I would want to go rock climbing on the Grand Canyon. Or walk on a tightrope across two really tall buildings.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I also want to be an author, and I’m proud of almost being done with my second book. It’s about a girl and her sister trying to find their dad.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“I know this school already because my dad is a teacher here, but I learned shortcuts that will help me get to my classes on time.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“We’ve learned about a lot of cool things in science, like arthropods.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“It’s really helpful.”

Kailah, a rising 6th grader at West Rocks Middle School

Describe your favorite memory at West Rocks.

“My favorite memory is meeting new friends and new people. I also like switching between different classes because we didn’t do that in elementary school.”

Who is your role model?

“My role model is Misty Copeland because she’s a dancer and I want to be a professional dancer when I grow up. I’ve been dancing since I was two years old. I like ballet and contemporary. I also want to be a therapist because I know how to calm people down well.

What is your biggest dream?

“To go to Bora Bora. I also want to go to Mexico or Peru.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m proud that I’ve made it this far in school and I haven’t had to stay back in anything. I’ve been getting good grades. My favorite subject is math.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“I’ve gotten a chance to meet the teachers and learn their names. Now I know what they’re expecting from me. Also, we take science, math and ELA here which helps.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“To meet new people and not be shy.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“It’s basically what you’re going to do in middle school, but afterwards you have three hours of fun!”

Bevelyn, a rising 6th grader at West Rocks Middle School

Describe your favorite memory at West Rocks.

“I like when we go outside and do science experiments. Science is my favorite subject. We can get cool prizes like candy.”

Who is your role model?

“My role model is Camilla Cabello. I like how her vocals sound and I want to be a singer when I grow up so I look up to her. I started to like music at the end of third grade. I realized that I didn’t have to care what other people thought about my singing and that I could just sing for myself.”

What is your biggest dream?

“To be famous for singing.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m proud of my art. I used to be a very bad artist, and all my siblings were really good at art and I really like how they draw. So I started trying to get better and learning from them. I would practice making one drawing ten times and I got a lot better.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“They teach us stuff that you learn in eighth or seventh grade even though we’re only going into sixth grade, so we get a big head start.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“To just have fun and not stress about the things that you don’t know. And if you don’t know something, just go over it with a teacher. The teachers are really helpful.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“It’s very fun and there are a lot of activities to do.”

Max, a rising 6th grader at West Rocks Middle School

Describe your favorite memory at West Rocks this summer.

“I really like science here. Science is my best subject. I like meteorology and biology.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a scientist that makes cool inventions using technology. I have lots of ideas, like making a kangaroo pouch for humans. It could tie to your waist. I’d also like to be a meteorologist. Maybe I could be a storm chaser. I know it’s dangerous, but I’m not scared of tornadoes. Or at least, not until I see one.”

What is your biggest dream?

“To know anything and everything. I think I’m on my way there.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m proud of a drawing I made a few days ago that was the most realistic thing I’ve made. It was a drawing of myself.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“It’s helped me to meet the teachers and learn where the classrooms are.”

Madelyn, rising 6th grader at Nathan Hale Middle School

Describe your favorite memory at Nathan Hale.

“I really like playing games with my friends. It’s really fun. We play monopoly.”

Who is your role model?

“I really look up to my mom. She’s a nurse for premature babies. When I was little I always wanted to work with her.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a nurse. I like science a lot.”

What is your biggest dream?

“I would want to travel the world. I want to go to Egypt, Italy, and Paris.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m proud of jumping off a cliff 40 feet high into a lake. I didn’t think I was going to do it, but I did! It was scary but I’m glad that I did it.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“It’s made me feel more at home here. I’m not as nervous for middle school anymore.”

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned at this program?

“You always have to be nice to others and if you treat someone the way you want to be treated, they will treat you that way as well.”

How would you describe this program to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

“It’s a program where they offer breakfast and lunch and you get to learn different subjects. It helps you transition to middle school and feel more comfortable.”