Community Action Award Winner: Leah Bracey
My internship with Bard High School Early College Baltimore has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have been given the opportunity to aid in the process of providing Baltimore's youth with a chance for many opportunities and a brighter future. My work, in partner with the work of my team members, has not only made a communal impact but also contributed to a national campaign to challenge America's youth and send them to college early and for free.
I have been given the opportunity to aid in the process of providing Baltimore's youth with a chance for many opportunities and a brighter future.
I have held several work titles during my summer internship. For instance, I have been the community outreach coordinator, receptionist/ hotline responder, educational policy reform intern, lobbyist and a plethora of other titles. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to play the role that I have for BHSEC Baltimore. I know that my work has made a positive impact because I have been asked to extend my internship dates and come back next year. Baltimore is my home and if I can stay longer and give back to not only my people but to students in other cities I'd love to. I didn't think education, administration or lobbying would interest me but now this job has created a true advocate out of me and has inspired me to get involved in other projects similar to that of the education field.
I have been the community outreach coordinator, receptionist/ hotline responder, educational policy reform intern, lobbyist and a plethora of other titles.
My favorite part of the internship is when I sit in on meetings with politicians and give little speeches to them about why they should be "on board" with high school early college programs and advocate for them. I've met phenomenal people that come from all walks of life; those who are living the struggle and want more early colleges for themselves or parents for their children as well as seeing the other side. On this other side, the politicians are removed from the struggle for proper education which has influenced the way in which I approach initiating a dialogue with them. I now know that when I speak to them about education and BHSEC, to encourage them to be empathetic and to get more involved.
I continue to enjoy my internship working for BHSEC Baltimore. So much so, that I hope in the future to start a BHSEC in Atlanta, Georgia. I am glad that I have been able to be a resource this summer and hope to take the leadership skills that I have learned and apply them not only to the Bard campus in Annandale but to more communities. My involvement in BHSEC Baltimore will not end after this summer but will be a continuous effort and commitment.
