Options 'ambassadors' to visit English school

Options Global Ambassadors: Brian Williams, coordinator of alternative program; Darian Cruz; Nathan Jolly; Cherronn Hodges; and Claude Holland, Options teacher. 

Three Heights High Options Program students, Darian Cruz, Cherronn Hodges and Nathan Jolly, held a Skype meeting in December with three students at the Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton, England.

It was one of many preparation activities for the Options students, who plan to visit the English school Feb. 19–26.

Brian Williams, coordinator of alternative programs and leader of the Heights High Options Program alternative school, is organizing the trip, to provide African American male students with an international experience that he hopes will significantly impact their lives.

The Options “global ambassadors” will represent all Options students when they travel to the South London school.

“After many months of preparation, the live Skype conversation made the trip feel very real, said Williams. “I am so proud of our three ambassadors; they have shown that they are willing to step out of their comfort zone and meet new people, face new challenges and welcome new experiences.”

In England, the three students will attend classes at Evelyn Grace Academy, visit historic and cultural sights, and use social media to share their experiences with students back home. (Follow them on Twitter @OptionsGlobal.)

Evelyn Grace Academy is a public school comprising 840 middle and high school students from many ethnic backgrounds. Students wear uniforms and participate in debate club, backpacking trips, community service and athletics, including football (we call it soccer), basketball, netball, rugby and scuba. The school also has a strong music program.

Donations to fund the trip have come so far from 38 individuals and businesses. To contribute, contact Sue Pardee, coordinator of school improvement/federal programs, at s_pardee@chuh.org.