Hailey, rising 6th grader at Nathan Hale Middle School

Describe your favorite memory at Nathan Hale this summer.

“My favorite memory is the first science project we did here. We made tin foil boats and we had to see how many pennies they could hold. Mine could hold 51! I like science a lot.”

Who is your role model?

“It’s Joanna Gaines. She’s an interior designer. She has her own TV show and it’s really cool. I want to be just like her when I’m older.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to go to school for business. Then I want to get a real estate degree and become a real estate agent. And then I want to open my own store that’s for interior design, but also have my own real estate company. A few years ago I made my own little real estate website.”

What is your biggest dream?

“To get a dance solo and to win first place at a competition. I do basically every kind of dance.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m proud of winning most improved dancer on June 1. I felt amazing when that happened. Since it’s my first year on the team, I think that people will think of me in a different way now.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“It’s been really useful to learn how to make your way around the school.”

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

“To pay attention. And I learned how to open a locker which will be really important next year!”

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

“It’s a program where you learn but have fun at the same time.”

Nicholas, rising 6th grader at Nathan Hale Middle School

Describe your favorite memory at Nathan Hale this summer.

“My favorite memory is doing fun activities like going outside and playing wiffle ball. I’m also really excited for the barbecue that we’re having today.”

Who is your role model?

“My role model is a basketball player named Kyrie Irving. He’s really good at ball handling at I want to have skills like him.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a basketball player. I’ll get to meet a lot of famous players like Lebron James, and I’ll get to learn more about the sport. I’ll also get to be on TV!”

What is your biggest dream?

“I want to go to an NBA court and meet all the players and get autographs and pictures with them.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m proud of making an all-star travel team for baseball and basketball. I’m also proud of getting the highest math grade in my class.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“You get to see where all the classrooms are and you do work here so that you know what to expect in middle school.”

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

“To always do the right thing.”

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

“It’s a really good program for people who are coming into middle school. You get to do a lot of experiments and do math that’ll prepare you for the school year.”

Kevin, rising 6th grader at Nathan Hale Middle School

Describe your favorite memory at Nathan Hale this summer.

“I liked going outside and playing wiffle ball. I also like watching movies here.”

Who is your role model?

“My role model is Derek Jeter because he is a leader. He always did what he was supposed to do and he always played very well. He’s one of my favorite baseball players and I want to be like him when I grow up.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be either a baseball player or a football player. I love sports and I want to be part of the Hall of Fame.”

What is your biggest dream?

“I want to make a really cool catch in the touchdown end zone.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m proud of making it to middle school. I was really happy when I graduated from fifth grade and I’m excited for middle school.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“It has helped by showing me around the school and doing the work that we’re going to be doing. All our teachers will be surprised by how much we know when school starts. I used to hate math, but now I really like it because it’s starting to get fun and easier for me.”

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

“To follow directions, be a leader, and have fun.”

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

“It’s a fun transition program where you work hard.”

Surayyah, 11 years old, rising 6th grader at Carver's West Rocks Middle School summer transition program

Describe your favorite memory at West Rocks.

“My favorite memory is my first day here. I saw some of my old friends and there were some people that I wasn’t friends with before, but I finally got to be friends with them here.”

Who is your role model?

“My role model is my dad. I like drawing and doing art. He is always amazed by my art but he also encourages me to go farther and do better.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be an artist or an art teacher. I’ve been doing art since I was seven and I’m always inspired by other people’s art. My favorite artist is Davinci. I like how his paintings are very detailed and you discover new things by looking closely at them.”

What is your biggest dream?

“I’ve always wanted to travel the world. I’ve been to a few countries and states but I want to see what the whole world looks like. I also want to help charities around the world.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“One of my drawings was selected to be in the Norwalk City Hall. I didn’t think I could draw at all and I always doubted myself but on that day that I received a paper saying that I got into city hall, I got really excited and more confident.”

How has this program helped you prepare for middle school?

“I’m not really confident in reading but since we have ELA here it has made me feel better. Also, the math in middle school is difficult but doing math here has helped me. Now I won’t have to go home and ask for help on my math homework because I’ll be able to do it myself.”

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

“I’ve learned that we’re not little kids anymore and that we’re going to do more challenging work now.”

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

“You get to go to three different classes and learn something new every day. Sometimes you’ll be shocked and wowed by the things that you see and learn here. It’s not only playing around, it’s learning and having fun at the same time.”

Isabella, 8 years old

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver is when I was with Eliana and I first walked in to Carver. I thought it was a basketball camp because of all the basketball courts. I told my mom I thought she brought me to the wrong place but turns out, it’s not a basketball camp!”

Who is your role model?

“My friend Rowan at my school because she inspires me. She’s in magazines for modeling and it really makes me happy when she says nice things to me.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a zoologist because I really like animals. I want to help animals so they’re not sick.”

What’s your biggest dream?

“To be a unicorn.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m proud of doing gymnastics. I can do lots of cool tricks!”

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned at Carver?

“To not fight and to share, especially with ice cream.”

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

“It’s a camp that I go to, and you should go there too.”

Analisse, 8 years old

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“It was during my first year here. I was 5 years old and we went to the Maritime Aquarium to see The Incredibles.”

Who is your role model?

“My role model is my sister. She’s 15 and her name is Janelle. She helps me with a lot of things. If I find something that’s hard to do she’ll help me with it.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a photographer. Sometimes my mom lets me take pictures and I really like it.”

What’s your biggest dream?

“My biggest dream is going to Universal Studios. I might go next month!”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“My mom put a bunch of different materials out from around the house and made a competition for me and my sister to see who could build the tallest tower. I won!”

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned at Carver?

“Carver has helped me upgrade my math skills.”

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

“Carver is a fun and educational place where people are really nice to you. It’s a really fun place to go to camp.”

Alyssa, 9 years old

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory is when we went to Sky Zone. I had a lot of fun jumping around and doing the obstacle courses. I had a lot of fun with my friends.”

Who is your role model?

“My mom. She’s pretty, smart, and hardworking. She helps people get jobs. We like to hang out together and talk about our day at dinner. Also, we have the same favorite color. We both like pink.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be an interior designer.”

What’s your biggest dream?

“To be successful, to help people, and to never give up.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m proud of what I’ve done in art class and in music class in school. We played the recorder in music and I really liked it, even though sometimes I mess up a little bit.”

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned at Carver?

“No bullying.”

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

“It’s very fun. I think anyone would like it because they give us a lot of things to do. You’re never bored here.”

Alexandra, 8 years old

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“The first time I was here, 4 years ago, I met my counselors and my friends. I’m still friends with some of them today.”

Who is your role model?

“I admire pop stars like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“Lots of stuff. I want to be a teacher, a doctor, a nurse, a police officer, a pop star, an artist, I want to take care of people, I want to take care of pets, I want to be famous, and I want to help people who can’t see or hear or talk. I want to be a very nice person.”

What’s your biggest dream?

“To be a singer.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“This year, when I was in third grade, we had a test on Native Americans and I got a 100. I was the only one in the class to get a perfect score. I studied day and night and almost couldn’t sleep! I stayed up late at night studying and when my mom came in my room to check in on me I pretended that I was asleep.”

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned at Carver?

“To be a great person and to never let your friends down.”

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

“Carver is a place where you go on lots of field trips and have fun. You make lots of new friends and you get to go swimming, bowling, and golfing."

Rafael, 6 years old

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“Playing soccer here is really fun, but so are all the activities that we do here.”

Who is your role model?

“My role model is my soccer coach. I love soccer and he’s so nice. I really want to be like him. He’s fair and if someone makes a goal and it doesn’t count, he’ll say, ‘no goal!’. He really looks out for me.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a firefighter. Firefighters are really brave and I am really brave. It’s a really cool job.”

What is your biggest dream?

“To do a backflip. But in a pool.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m proud of my art. I make really cool drawings that are really realistic.”

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

“It’s so fun. It’s really the best. You get to do all the fun activities that I’ve done here.”

Allen, 11 years old

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver is making my first friends. They’ve stayed at Carver for a while. We met each other during free time. We started talking and we played tag, and we’ve been friends ever since. That was three years ago.”

Who is your role model?

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks are my role models. They broke down barriers for people and I think they have a lot of effects on kids because they make kids feel like they can do that too.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a chef because I want a job where I can help people. So if there’s a person in need, I’ll be able to give them some food because I’ll know how to cook.”

What is your biggest dream?

“My biggest dream is world peace.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“Helping people. Once, this kid got bullied and I helped him.”

What’s the most important lesson that Carver has taught you?

“How to be nice to other people, respect one another, and be responsible for our actions. The counselors taught us that, and now, everyone gets along here.”

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

“It’s fun! You get a lot of exercise and you play around a lot. You also learn a bunch of things.”

Dewayne, 10 years old

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver is having a water balloon fight. It was super fun.”

Who is your role model?

“My fifth grade teacher, Mr. Cingari, is my role model. He encourages us to never quit or give up. He reminded us that there’s no ‘i’ in team.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a gamer. I play fortnite and I’m really good. I think it would be really fun to do something that I love.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I’m really proud of graduating fifth grade.”

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned at Carver?

“That you can accomplish literally anything that you put your mind to. My dad has shown me that. Once, I thought I wasn’t going to be able to do my math homework, but my dad gave me encouragement. I got a 100 on it!”

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

“Carver is a very fun and interesting place.”

Alejandro, 12 years old

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“It’s really hard to decide. Almost every memory is my favorite. Every day is new and exciting. But if I had to choose, it would be going swimming or going to Lake Compounce.”

Who is your role model?

“My mom is my role model. We like the same music and we have a lot of fun together.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a Youtuber.”

What’s your biggest dream?

“My biggest dream is to be famous. I want the whole world to know who I am. Also, I’d like to learn every language.”

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned at Carver?

“Carver has taught me to be myself and to express my feelings.”

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

“Carver is a way to make friends and get to know other people.”

Teagan, 9 years old

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“I really like the field trips and the counselors. They’re super nice and they do their job well. My favorite field trip was going to monster golf because we had so much fun. You could go golfing, play arcade games, or play laser tag.”

Who is your role model?

“Harriet Tubman. She led the slaves to freedom and she taught me a really important lesson: trust what you believe in, and you will succeed.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be an OBGYN. I really like babies and I really like helping people.”

What’s your biggest dream?

“My biggest dream is to be a successful OBGYN.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

“I got a lead role in a play. It was called ‘Mother Goose Retires’ and I got the role of the Queen of Hearts.”

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned at Carver?

“To care for everybody and to be kind.”

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

“Carver is an after school and summer program that helps kids. In the summer, you go on really fun field trips but you still learn so that you don’t forget what you were taught during the school year.”

Student Spotlight: Lirik

Interviewed by: Hanna Tulchinsky

Q: Can you describe your favorite memory at Carver?

Lirik: My favorite memory was when we went to Lake Compounce during summer camp. It was awesome! We went on rides and we swam. My favorite part was buying souvenirs. I bought a cardholder to put my Pokemon cards in.

Q: Who is your role model?

Lirik: My role model is Ms. Cherae, a teacher at Carver. She’s kind, caring, and always determined. I want to become a writer, and when I become successful I’m going to buy her a buffet meal!

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Lirik: You know, they say if you do something you love, you never work a day in your life! That’s why I want to be a writer. It’s my dream. I want to go to Fairfield University and get a degree in writing. I want to write all types of novels, but mainly adventure and suspense stories for kids. I have a bunch of favorite writers who mesmerize me with their stories. I want to be able to do that too for other kids. My favorite authors are James Patterson, Jeff Kinney, and Suzanne Collins.

Q: What is your biggest dream?

 Lirik: My biggest dream is to write a New York Times #1 bestselling book that will be remembered forever. Like Moby Dick but combined with something suspenseful and humorous like Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Q: Can you describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of?

Lirik: I had high honors all four quarters.

Q: What is the most important lesson that Carver has taught you?

Lirik: From Carver, I’ve learned that the greatest memories don’t have to be at the best places or on the greatest holidays. The greatest memories can happen any day, anytime, anywhere.

Q: How would you describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

Lirik: It’s the kind of program where you’re going to have lots of adventures and meet lots of people.

Hanna's Blog to continue with support from Greenwich Academy

Starting last summer, volunteer Hanna Tulchinsky, class of 2020 at Greenwich Academy, has been interviewing students participating in Carver programs. The initial stories were of those students who attended Carver’s 2018 Summer Enrichment Program for grades K to 5 (ages 5 to 13) located at the Carver Community Center. Since then Hanna has continued to profile students in Carver’s after school programs this year.

Hanna’s storytelling is available here on this dedicated Carver blog. Hanna’s reporting gives us all a glimpse into the goals and accomplishments of Carver kids.

Additionally, Hanna has created thank-you videos for Carver donors and other videos that document Carver events.

Hanna’s good work caught the attention of the Greenleaf Foundation at Greenwich Academy, which just awarded Carver a grant of $1,000 to support Hanna’s continued volunteer work for Carver, particularly her reporting and videos this coming summer.

Established in the year 2000, the Greenleaf Foundation’s mission is “to effect positive change in the community by funding programs that focus on issues impacting young people in need, especially girls.” Carver is grateful to Greenwich Academy for encouraging volunteerism among its students and now for the school’s foundation providing financial support of Hanna’s excellent work to promote the Carver mission and capture the stories of Carver kids.

Student Spotlight: Kobe

Interviewed by: Hanna Tulchinsky

 Q: Can you describe your favorite memory at Carver?

 Kobe: One of my favorite memories is from one of the first times I came here. We were playing five-on-five basketball, girls versus boys, and we just goofed around. We weren’t playing seriously– we were just having fun the whole time, and it was amazing.

 Q: Who is your role model?

 Kobe: My biggest role models are my two older brothers. They are two different parts of me. The middle brother loves gaming, and my oldest brother loves basketball. He was so obsessed with it that he actually went to college to play basketball! But both of my brothers helped create the person I am now because one of them taught me about gaming and the other taught me about basketball.

 Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

 Kobe: I want to major in electronic engineering. At my elementary school, we had a program where we could do robotics which I loved. That really inspired me to be an electronic engineer. But honestly, I’d love to be a professional basketball player, either overseas or in the NBA. They say that you have a better chance of being struck by lightning than getting into the NBA. But to be able to do what I love at the professional level is a goal for me.

 Q: What is your biggest dream?

 Kobe: My biggest dream is to be a professional gamer and own a company that creates games with my brother. Starting a new business will be hard, but I’m willing to work for it.

 Q: Can you describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of?

 Kobe: I had high honors for all four quarters last year.

 Q: What is the most important lesson that Carver has taught you?

 Kobe: It has taught me that with hard work and dedication, things will work out. The first time I ever played basketball was here. Because of all the practice I’ve had at Carver I’ve been able to play on competitive basketball teams.

 Q: How would you describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

 Kobe: Honestly, when I first started coming here and people explained to me what Carver was, they didn’t do it justice. They said it was a fun place, but it’s so much more fun than I thought it could be. I never get bored here. You do your homework, you talk, you eat snacks, and you play with your friends. It’s a really good experience.

Student Spotlight: Justin Forde receives a scholarship to attend the University of Miami

At the recent New Balance Indoor Boys in March 2019, here is Justin in the Triple Jump. Photo by Dave MacCauley

Justin Forde, a senior at Brien McMahon High School and a student who has been a member of Carver’s after school Youth Development Program, received a full athletic scholarship from the University of Miami.

Here are his latest high school stats. On March 11th, recovering from ankle injuries, Justin competed and won the triple jump competition at New Balance Nationals Indoor with 51-3. Here is an interview with Justin following that victory. At the last outdoor season at the CT State Open, Justin won the triple jump (49-6.5) and second high jump (6-4), and at the Class LL he won the triple jump (48-3.75), won the long jump (22-2.5) and achieved the second high jump (6-4).

Here is Justin and school friend Kelete Sherald reporting to Carver readers about what they discovered last year at Villanova University during Carver’s annual Spring College Tour.

The Carver community is so proud of its students, and we congratulate Justin on his many academic and athletic achievements as he continues his career at the University of Miami.

Student Spotlight: Trinity McFadden

Five RIT/NTID students were named the university’s first Maguire Scholars. Pictured, from left to right, are Ethan Misal, Nathan Murray, RIT/NTID President Gerry Buckley, Cameron Carey, Trinity McFadden and Ty Brady. Photo credit: A. Sue Weisler

The Carver community abounds with successful students. Trinity McFadden achievements keep inspiring us all.

Trinity is a first-year criminal justice major at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She is among the inaugural group of Maguire Scholars, an academically based scholarship valued at $5,000 per year. This is by no means the first scholarship awarded to Trinity. During her high school years at Brien McMahon High School she won a scholarship to study in Japan with the Center for Global Studies. Upon graduation in 2018, Trinity won many scholarships, including from Carver the DeAndre Parks Scholarship, which is given to the Carver student with the highest GPA. Other awards included the Norwalk Lions Club Scholarship, the Greenfield Everyday Heroes Award, and the BMHS Alumni Association Scholarship.

We just learned that Trinity is being recognized at her school’s annual Senior Luncheon. The seniors recognize one student from each class. Trinity also made the Dean's List with a 4.0 GPA, and she was invited to join the school’s Honors Program. Trinity is learning Russian sign language as an elective, and will be traveling to Russia for three weeks in May as part of the curriculum.

Years ago, we asked Trinity to write an essay about herself and her experience to date at Carver. Here is what she had to say. Read this and you’ll realize why she is a hero to many of us who know and admire her story.

My name is Trinity McFadden and I am a thirteen-year-old, eighth grade student at Ponus Middle School. I started in the Carver C.A.S.P.E.R program in the middle of my fifth grade year; I am now a member of the Junior Youth Development Program. I am a high honors student at Ponus with a 4.0 GPA, which means I have an A average.

I am a hard working, intelligent person and my school work is very important to me for many different reasons. In addition to wanting to make my family proud of me, I was born with a progressive hearing loss and, if you listen to me talk, you will notice that I speak with a lisp. When I talk, my tongue does not always move, which at times creates articulation challenges for me. Because of this it makes me a little hesitant whenever I am asked to give a speech. However, I refuse to allow this challenge to interfere with my goals and with my day-to-day functioning inside and outside of school.

Having speech and hearing concerns presents its own set of challenges for me, but these issues do not prevent me from pursuing my dreams and working hard in school and achieving.

Participating in programs at Carver make me forget about my speech and my hearing issues. At Carver, I am comfortable, everyone knows me, and it’s like a second family to me! The Carver staff and students accept me for who I am and they treat me the same as anyone else; they have high standards and expectations for me, regardless of my hearing and my speech issues. I try very hard to achieve success because I want to be a role model for other students who may have a disability. There are many students who may be deaf, have a hearing loss or are hard of hearing; I want them to know that they can also be successful despite their disability. I work hard at being a confident person to set an example for them as well as for others.

The Carver has played a major role in my life. I attended the C.A.S.P.E.R. program, the Junior Youth Development Program and I have also attended the Carver summer camp. I enjoyed being in the summer program; it was also a big benefit to my parents because they were able to find an affordable summer enrichment plus recreational program for me during the summer months while they worked. While enrolled in C.A.S.P.E.R. I learned Lacrosse, and I received a scholarship to attend Camp New Pond Farm in Ridgefield, CT. I was away from home for a week and we lived on a farm, and got a chance to see and care for the farm animals and eat fresh eggs. It was a great experience and I enjoyed it very much! Carver offers so many programs. For example, I am a member of LEAP, which is an amazing Leadership program, and I am so fortunate to have all of the opportunities Carver provides. I hope that my leadership inspires other students, particularly those with a disability, for many years to come.

All these years later, Trinity’s accomplishments and example indeed continue to inspire us all.

Carver college student, Tonie Bennett, named to Dean's List at the University of Hartford

We just learned that Tonie Bennett, who began her experience with Carver in our Youth Development Program at Brien McMahon High School, has been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Hartford. Toni also worked at Carver as a counselor for our Summer Enrichment Program for the past several years.

Now in its sixth decade, the University of Hartford sits proudly on a 350-acre main campus that includes parts of Hartford, West Hartford, and Bloomfield, Conn. It provides  a beautifully landscaped vista with grassy expanses and wooded areas with a branch of the Park River winding through it. Despite its bucolic setting and relatively small size, UHart offers a dynamic student experience charged with diversity in its programs, activities, and student body. International and U.S. students of color comprise nearly 30 percent of all undergraduates.

We are so proud of Tonie and all that she is now accomplishing at the University of Hartford!

Norwalk High School Student Spotlight: Baylee Tuner

Baylee Tuner

By Veronica Mora Urdata (a Carver YDP Intern)

Baylee Tuner is a sophomore at Norwalk High School. She is a very intelligent young lady, but even more importantly, she is a hard worker with an amazingly positive attitude. She counters a problem and attacks it with all the resources available to her. She is also passionate about always learning something new every day.

Baylee has been a member of the Youth Development Program (YDP) at Norwalk High School since September 2018. She is currently taking two honor classes. She has admitted that she’s been improving in all her classes, especially in her sciences classes. Additionally, she is grateful for all the support and appreciation by all the passionate, generous, creative teachers who are part of YDP. She extremely likes that the staff makes the subject more understandable in ways that are fun, and it helps a lot.

Outside of the studies, this program has helped her socially and now, Baylee enjoys talking and hanging out with friends from all over the world. In the same way, since she started this program she has experienced interesting activities such as yoga, which has helped her to control her stress along with  her ability to spread kindness to the world. She also mentioned her interest in playing sports during her free time with her three siblings. 

Finally, she hopes to continue with YDP as a very mature young lady who takes school seriously which in turn will help her be very successful in life and in her path toward college.