Dreams Take Flight: From Afterschool Professional to the University of Miami and the Air Force Reserve
High quality afterschool matters! Belvedere Elementary Afterschool Program welcomed Scarlett Acosta to the team at 15 years old as a volunteer when she began her journey in youth development that created life changing experiences.
“I began as a volunteer at Belvedere Elementary School to become more involved in my younger siblings education and support my community,” said Acosta.
While working in this program she was able to develop many skills that would assist her later in life. She grew as a leader, a communicator and built collaborative skills as she worked with those on her team. When she turned 18, she became an official counselor at the Belvedere Elementary Afterschool Program and continued this work as she got ready for the next phase of her life.
She applied to the University of Miami and was accepted. Her admissions essay focused on her time at Belvedere’s program, the personal growth she experienced there and her service to her community. Upon her acceptance to this prestigious university, she was also informed by admissions that the character and skills she built at her afterschool program impressed them greatly. During the summer of 2024, she joined the AirForce Reserve. Bootcamp began July of 2024 and again found her the skills she learned in her afterschool program to be useful in this new setting.
“Leadership skills allowed me to progress in Basic Military Training,” Acosta shared, “I had the confidence to speak in bigger crowds and give effective instructions.”
She has now completed bootcamp and is now an Airmen in the AirForce. She contributes her success to the afterschool program she has been involved with since she was 15 and preparing her for “life right after high school.”
“This community has an amazing support system and allowed me to grow as a person... I will always have a special place in my heart for this school and its afterschool program.”
Stories like this exist across the nation! As we get ready to celebrate Lights On Afterschool later this month to celebrate the importance of afterschool programs and the professionals who work to keep the lights on every day, we hope you will share your story with us so we can continue spreading the word:
High quality afterschool matter!
Click here to register to attend Prime Time’s Lights On Afterschool celebration on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
