Student Spotlight: Rejoice Ejims

METCO helped shape my confidence when I was co-founding the first Black Student Union at my school. I created this space because I felt there were limited opportunities for minority students to share a space and feel represented. I personally wish I had this when I was an underclassman so now I'm doing it for the ones who need that space. This club has given students a place to connect and belong and to have important conversations about identity and self-advocacy. Through this club I have built leadership skills and taken on a mentorship role for the underclassmen, supporting their needs, and helping create a more inclusive and supportive environment.

The TAP or Teen Ambassador Program at METCO really made me understand what METCO is and who started it. Because of this program I gained a foundational knowledge of METCO by conducting research visiting Northeastern archives and special collections, and making a documentary about my commmunity. I managed to network and connect with former Massachusetts State Senator Linda Docena Forrey and current Boston City Conselor Brin Worrell. I was also able to build friendships with other students in different districts like Scituate, Newton North, Needham, and more. This program deeply made me appreciate the METCO program and realize how there is nothing like it in our country.

This summer I am looking forward to learning more of the Igbo language and working to make sure I can have my first year of college free. I also want to get back into playing tennis regularly because I grew up playing it every summer, but I lost interest in middle school.

Summer of Opportunity means during the summer time there is access to a range of activities and different events that people in the comunity can participate in. This means if I want mental health support or food access needs I am able to access that easily. All students have jobs and are able to do what they want to do to better themselves. The adults are finding resources within the commuinty to help finance and better support their lives.