“What will you do with your chance that comes this year, this month, this week, tomorrow, today?” asked Delvin Dinkins, head of school, during SCH Academy’s 2022 Convocation. He challenged students to explore the chances they encounter, embrace the unfamiliar, and let go of fear. Alumni often talk about how they built resilience at CHA, Springside, and SCH; they felt nurtured and ready to take chances when they left campus. Here, they talk about a chance they are proud of and how it changed their lives or perspective.
In the second semester of my sophomore year, I was given the chance to create a business through the school’s Capstone Program. As someone incredibly interested in community service, there was never any doubt that I was going to start a nonprofit organization. Although I knew what kind of business I wanted to create, I was hesitant to dive into the CEL process alone.
Alexa Rhodes ’22 took a chance on working solo on a project-turned-business to help the unhoused. Honors Student in Sports Administration and Entrepreneurship
school magazine spring 2023
At the beginning of my time in the Capstone program, I had communicated with upperclassmen and each said that completing the class in a group would be much easier than individually. While the idea of working with others did interest me at first, I realized that no one else wanted to start a program for those experiencing homelessness. This forced me to either join a different project that I was not interested in or create the business myself. I soon realized that deciding to work alone was more beneficial than working with a team of peers. Despite
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being nervous that I was going to be in over my head, I dedicated my time and energy to the class and my business. At the time I had no way of knowing this moment would be a catalyst in the trajectory of my career path. Creating H.E.L.P.I.N.G. The Homeless Backpacks has opened doors for me that I never knew existed. I won a global business competition; it got me recognized by my state’s government; it helped me secure my dream job in sports; it got me into my first choice of college. However, the greatest takeaway from my business was realizing the career path I wanted to go down. It is clear to me now that I want to work in social responsibility to continue giving back to the community. I have learned that taking chances will lead to more opportunities and life lessons. I will continue to take risks and put myself out there because the payoff is always greater when you push outside your comfort zone!