Our middle school students joined together during spring break to learn how to navigate resources with an artistic approach. Fostering collaboration and critical thinking, students were given minimal direction and an abundance of art supplies. They honed their skills of discovering, utilizing, and refining their resources while immersed in creativity. Our mentors seized this chance to teach students how to take initiative and advocate for themselves.
Our 6th grade students ventured to Topeka, Kansas to delve into the history of our state capitol. They learned about key figures in the Civil Rights Movement such as Anne Clark, Homer Plessy, and Linda Brown. They also had the chance to visit significant sites like Monroe Elementary, the Richie House, and the Capitol Building. Seeing history come alive, Xcel is dedicated to providing students with amazing opportunities to shape their futures.
Moving learning outside the classroom, our 6th graders took on a STEM project of their own. These students explored science and physics by building a Trebuchet and using a variety of technology including 3D pens, QR codes, and wood burners to personalize their objects to be thrown. Our goal is to help students fall in love with science and all the ways it can be fun.
Teaching students to take healthy risks is a huge part of our program. On this adventure, we visited The Wildlife Adventure Park and challenged students to overcome their fears. By taking part in a free fall and zipline course, we are preparing students to venture out of their comfort zone and meet challenges head-on.
Madison is pursuing her dream of becoming a pilot. Not only did she attend the Women in Aviation Camp, but she took the leap and joined the Young Eagles. Her dream of aviation started young. “Flying reminds me of when I got to fly with my mom when she was still alive. It was a feeling I hadn't had in nine years - the feeling of happiness and the feeling of being close to her again. It was just so awesome. Like just imagine all the people who can't do the things I did because they don't have enough money or time.”
The City celebrated the unveiling of the artwork done by Xcel student Inavion "Navi" on the Future Hopes & Dreams building on March 25 2021. Navi was also presented with a $2,000 scholarship for his work in the graphic design field. Executive Director Shawn Copeland and Director of Special Programs Robert Cunningham spoke at the ceremony, as well as former Salina Mayor Mike Hoppock. The artwork unveiling was a culmination of five years of work for Navi, who initially started the project as a 7th grader.
Xcel 7th and 8th grade students performed at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Celebration on January 20th, 2020 at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church. The students were either involved in the step team (which performed live at the celebration) or in one of two uniquely created videos.
“The Change (Begins With Me)”
Xcel Step Team paid tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” with a dynamic step routine, under direction from 8th grade mentor Vesa Cunningham.
“Free: A Spoken Word Visual”
Xcel students made a video with a spoken word poem about the importance of standing up for injustice. The video shoot, complete with audio voiceover work performed by the students (at Studio 1117), was a 5-week process.
“TobyMac - Starts With Me ft. Aaron Cole (Xcel Lyric Video)”
Xcel Athletes created a lyric video of TobyMac’s “It Starts With Me,” which contains excerpts from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The video was a 4-week process.
Written by Odalis M. Jimenez - Xcel Graduate and Senior at FHSU
Many students come from lower or middle income families and often single parent homes. We face adversities such as food insecurity, financial insecurity, homelessness, and family members struggling from mental health issues. I struggled with trusting people and was resistant at times when Xcel mentors offered me homework help or reached out to me because of the issues I was going through in my personal life. I struggled with a learning disability called dyslexia, and with depression and anger issues. Xcel never gave up on me, even when I thought that I was undeserving of a better life. Xcel was more than tutors that helped me with my studies. They were a beacon of light in times of darkness.
Xcel helped me realize that I am more than my circumstances and helped me see the potential in myself when I thought that I was just another lost cause. If you told me when I was a freshman in high school that I would be pursuing a degree in Political Science and working on Capitol Hill in D.C., I would have never believed it in a million years. Today I feel immensely grateful for those in Xcel who never gave up on me. Every day I make a conscious effort to help those in need. I believe that being kind will never deprive you of anything; all it costs is a smile and a helping hand. You never know who desperately needs your compassion, and you will never know whose life you could change by doing simple acts of kindness.
