Crossover Prep Student Becomes A StreetLeader

by Jamin Holliday

My path to the StreetLeader Program differs from most. Crossover Preparatory Academy prepared me to be a StreetLeader actually, and it taught me how to communicate with the Elementary-aged students in the Crossover Kids Program. Our principal, Dr. Lepine, recommended that I work in the After-School and Summer Day Camp Program to be better prepared for my future educationally or academically. He said that they would help with ACT practice, and it would help me develop practical skills for future work places. I began working the job, not as a real employee, but as a volunteer for two weeks. During this time, I was able to get used to the atmosphere and environment.

I started to talk to the other StreetLeaders that I would be mentoring with. They would ask me, “When are you going to start working here?” or they would say things like, “ I hope you are in our group!” I did not know if they were buttering me up at the time or if they were actually welcoming me and hoping I was in their group! Once Mrs. Elizabeth, the Crossover Kids Director, emailed me and told me I got the job everyone made me feel so welcomed, and I felt excited for my first day! After working there for a couple of weeks, I was accustom to the schedule and how everything functioned- it became very normal quickly. My favorite part of the day was when we got to play and interact with the kids and really have fun with them, because as much as they hated to do school work after school, I did too. Playing dodgeball, basketball, sharks & minnows, etc. made a huge difference for all of us, and it really helped us to develop our relationship. We were able to work hard and play hard!

My favorite part of the day was when we got to play and interact with the kids and really have fun with them...” -Jamin H.

On the day before Christmas break, I worked my first Christmas party! The kids were so happy that they did not have to work and could just focus on having fun! The other StreetLeaders and I had our practice ACT Exam on that Saturday because Mr. Jeremy Williams, the StreetLeader Coordinator, wanted to show us how it would be to take the real test. He also wanted us to be prepared so that when the time came we would excel so that our ACT scores would increase. We take the ACT Aspire Test to measure our academic growth at Crossover Prep, but it is not the same thing as taking the real exam. My scores from the practice sessions to the practice exam increased, but I knew that my score still needed work. Ultimately, I realized the job as a StreetLeader was not just helping me communicate with the kids in the Crossover Kids Program, but it also helped me increase my GPA and my ACT scores simultaneously. I really enjoyed working at the After-School Program! I was sad that we were unable to have the Summer Day Camp this year, and I am looking forward to working in the Program after this pandemic.

Jamin Louis Holliday was the first student to apply for Crossover Prep, he was the first “Game-Changer” on the Crossover Lions’ first Championship winning Football Team, and he was part of the first class of Crossover Prep students to become StreetLeaders! His heart to teach, tutor, counsel, and mentor the students at Hawthorne Elementary School has made him an invaluable addition to the team. As the baby of the “Holliday Tribe,” he will do big things, and he has and will continue to make his extended Crossover family proud!

To learn more about the StreetLeader Program, please go to http://crossoverimpact. org/StreatLeader/.