Galloway, N.J. – “Thank you all for being here this summer and for your dedication to your education and future. I hope to be able to welcome you as a Stockton student someday soon.”

Words of encouragement and well wishes for the future like Robert Heinrich’s were abundant during the fifth annual closing ceremony for GOALS GEAR UP Summer Enrichment Program students at the Atlantic City campus on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Opening speeches by Heinrich, vice president for Enrollment Management, and Alexis Jenkins, director of GOALS GEAR UP, praised the students for their hard work during academic lessons focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics throughout the six-week program and implored them to keep pursuing higher education.

“Your participation in our program is vital to preparing you to pursue post-secondary education upon your completion of high school,” Heinrich said. “These experiences are designed to ignite your curiosity, foster your creativity and prepare you for future academic and career success.” 

“Over the past few weeks, you have tackled challenges with determination and perseverance, embodying the spirit that makes our GOALS program exceptional,” Jenkins said. “You’ve navigated academic tasks and embraced new experiences, but most of all, you all have supported each other. Your commitment has proven that, with hard work and perseverance, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve great heights.”

GOALS GEAR UP, a college-preparedness program for 7^th -12^th graders in Atlantic City and Pleasantville at Stockton’s campus, had a jam-packed Summer Academy that included:

• Team-building on the beach in collaboration with the City of Atlantic City’s Youth Services department;
• A mixer event that exposed students to professionals in the health, media and business industries;
• A college fair and an instant-decision day where four students received their first university acceptances from Stockton.

When students weren’t exploring the campus or learning and connecting with their peers, they went on field trips to the Liberty Science Center, Top Golf and the Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C. 

Students Chance Smith, Omar Castillo and Ariyane Hill all required some convincing to try out the program due to its summer-long commitment. However, they all agreed they made the right decision and have attended for the last two to three years.

For Atlantic City High School junior Hill and Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School senior Smith, staying at Stockton Atlantic City through GOALS’ residential program was a much-appreciated opportunity for them to begin imagining themselves as college students. It also provided them with a more in-depth understanding of the financial aid and student loan process. 

“Through the residential program, I got a feel of what college dorm life is like – I got to make scrapbooks, go on the beach and walk the Boardwalk. It was fun to stay in there for the two weeks,” said Hill, who is currently debating majoring in law or education. 

“I did the residential program, too, and it gave me a taste of what I would experience if I decided to stay on campus,” said Smith, who is interested in computer science or engineering. “Also, learning more about financial aid, how to apply for it effectively and get the most money out of it will help me in my college days.”

Castillo, an ACHS senior who wants to pursue communication and media studies, considered the college fair to be a valuable experience this year.

“Originally, I only had a few colleges in mind, but then (Ariyane) introduced me to Morgan State. I looked at their page, and their recruiter was very informative. It's a new college that’s very high on my list, like top five,” Castillo said.  

In addition to reflecting on all that they have learned through the program, the students cheered each other on as superlatives ranging from “Most Friendly” and “Most Likely to be President” to “Most Likely to Get Lost During a Field Trip” were called out.

Cheers were the loudest, however, for student mentors Kim Sanchez, a Social Work major, and Zikra Naz, a Sociology and Anthropology major, who were recognized for their role in supporting the students during their senior year at Stockton.

In their remarks, both Sanchez and Naz expressed their gratitude to the program for being a stepping stone in their academic journeys and commended the students for working to become future student leaders on campus.

“I would like to thank all the students who participated in this program because, without you, this program would not exist,” Sanchez said. “You guys make a commitment to dedicate six weeks of your summer to yourselves, and I say, ‘yourselves’ because this isn't all about a four-credit course or taking cool trips: this is about allowing yourself to be poured into academically, socially and emotionally.”

“The love and respect you all have shown me is what made me keep coming and pouring into you. I'm beyond proud to be a part of your academic and personal journey,” Naz said. “This may be my last year, but I'm your mentor for life. I know some of you guys hide when you see teachers, but if you see me, you better come and say hi!”

– Story by Loukaia Taylor

– Photos by Loukaia Taylor, Susan Allen and Lizzie Nealis 

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