In 2006, our Ravenswood cohort hosted a kickoff party to launch its afterschool programming for a new class of third graders. Last month, eight years later, it hosted a Rededication Ceremony (or “Kickoff Part II,” as the Dreamers dubbed it), bringing all Dreamers and families back to P.S. 112 to celebrate the successes of the program so far, recognize community partners, and inspire Dreamers to rededicate themselves to the home stretch of high school and the program. The event was a wonderful way to bring together the program’s key stakeholders and a celebration of all of the hard work that our Dreamers have accomplished to date. Below, two Dreamers reflect on the event and their past eight years in the program.
Dreamers at the first Kickoff in 2006...photos from Kickoff Part II coming soon!
On November 18, 2014, the Ravenswood II “I Have A Dream” Foundation – NY: Ravenswood Program hosted their second Kick Off, the “Kickoff Part2”. On that day, I had so much fun and enjoyed myself. Seeing almost everyone reunited in the place where it all started, P.S. 112, made me realize that we’re all growing up. It also made me realize that coming to program for so many years and seeing Matt and Ms. Honore almost everyday is about to come to an end! For the Kick Off, Deja and I made a video mix with clips of the Dreamers from when we were younger to now and played it for everyone in the audience, which made some of them feel old and somewhat embarrassed! Watching everyone laugh and enjoy the video was great. Some Dreamers spoke on stage, along with Mr. Thierry and Jose [Executive Director of The Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Foundation, the Program’s key Sponsor]. I found it to be cool how older Dreamers from the first Ravenswood IHAD Program came and spoke to us. The Kick Off was just a great environment to be at because there was music, food, speeches, laughter, families, and friends! It was the place to be that night!
-Chelsea Bueno
The Kickoff Pt II was very exciting. It was an unforgettable night for me. Local restaurants donated a lot of food for our Kickoff, which was very generous of them to do. I helped with the setup and the décor of the cafeteria where everyone ate. Seeing familiar faces I have not seen in [years was] nice. The hardest part for me was getting up on stage and speaking about my childhood memories to an auditorium full of volunteers, mentors, parents, friends and sponsors but I enjoyed it. The evening felt weird, as if we all went away for college for a long time and came back together to catch up about each other’s life. I’m glad I was a part of both Kickoffs and I am looking forward to the next one.
-Daniela Asmad