Verb's staff encourages (almost forces) this theme and idea of brotherhood, and the Jesuit value of being "men with and for others." All in preparation for getting these kids from rough backgrounds, in worse cases growing up in homes experiencing missing parents, abuse, poverty, some even living without homes for a time in some cases into college. Verb is a Cristo Rey school, and so part of the curriculum includes a Corporate Work Study Program which gets these guys into real work experience at real jobs around Los Angeles--giving them a huge leg up in college applications and the world in general. They are being given real responsibility and real work, so that they can better understand the purpose and benefits of working hard. More importantly, CWSP (that's what they call it at Verb) provides these young men the opportunity to feel like they have potential, and puts them on level footing with people in the corporate world, thus showing them that they are capable of reaching those goals.
Verb is all about helping these boys reach those goals. It encourages them to get involved, makes it a requirement to join clubs and sports and really push themselves. But most importantly it makes the future achievable by showing them that they have assets to offer these schools.
Check this video out, it gives you a better image of what this school accomplishes than I could. And don't be fooled, this isn't just a fluff piece or an exaggerated story, the things this school does really are amazing.
I watched this video on my first day as an orientation, and it is still as powerful as it was then. Perhaps moreso now. The guy Jesse, who talks about wanting to teach in the city, and maybe at Verb does just that now as part of a teaching fellowship with LMU, and a few of those little guys who speak are bigtime seniors now.
The school is strict--JUGS (detentions) are handed out for most any infraction, and they are held responsible for all of their actions. Dress code violations, not doing homework, not paying attention...they are held to a much higher standard than your average school. Their curriculum is, frankly, astounding, as nearly every student who comes into Verb is a grade or two below what their academic level should be. Not of any fault of their own, they're smart guys, the public school system just fails impoverished areas to an astounding degree. By the time they graduate they are prepared, if not completely ready for college. They work from day-one with the goal of getting into college, and the College Guidance office works with them from the beginning straight-on through. The attention they get from faculty and staff is much different than I ever experienced in high school, they are treated like adults, and yes they get disciplined and such, but they are also respected, not talked down to, and treated with a level of comfort and camaraderie that is not typical of the normal teacher/student relationship.
Anyway...I was talking about homecoming. This week was spirit week, so there were different themes every day leading up to homecoming. Disney Day, Sports Day, 70s Day, Nerd Day, and Friday was Blue and Gold (the school colors.) So not surprisingly the guys got into it because it got them out of their uniforms, but the faculty and staff were also super-into it. I even got into the spirit a little on nerd day and wore my Superman shirt.
Friday was the culmination of that most sacred of high school traditions. Homecoming! The staff made sure this was an appropriately huge deal. There was a shortened schedule and pep rally at the end of the day. The guys got really into it--cheering for their class, stomping their feet, making noise. There were even cheerleaders for a local high school to help bring some added spirit. These guys talk a big game about girls and their football, so it was pretty entertaining to see them applaud the girls. I didn't experience the all-boys thing, but for some of these guys it is a frustration. Most of them get over it, though.
They presented the nominees for homecoming king, and they each made promises about what they'd change at the school (from what little I could hear it was outrageous things like eliminating detention and such) and the degree to which a lot of the guys hammed it up was quite hilarious. A lot of the boys think they are the coolest thing since sliced bread...which I am trying to quit my judgment on--because this is high school and that's what high school kids often think of themselves.
One of the coolest things about the rally was this one nominee for King. He's autistic, but in a way that actually empowers him a great deal--he is fearless. A lot of people are just incredibly self conscious and afraid to just get out there and do things or simply be themselves but this young man is just purely himself and honest. When his name was called the entire room erupted. Teachers and students alike made more noise for him than anyone else. At first I thought there was some irony to this, but I overheard another teacher talking about him at the game, and he explained that the kids react to him very genuinely for his fearlessness. Last year he was the only one not afraid to get out there in front of everyone for a dance-off against the cheerleaders (something they did again this year). He got out there, had fun and hammed it up and everyone at the school appreciated that and responded to it positively. He engages in class and speaks up and is probably one of the most genuine people you'll ever meet... He wound up winning Homecoming King later that night at the game as well, which was awesome. He reprised his dance moves this year at the rally and although he only placed second, the senior class (who he was representing at the dance competition) rushed out of the stands and applauded his effort and gave him props. And well deserved....he was the most entertaining person on the floor.
There were also try-outs for this year's Eagle and while the first two were snoozers the last guy was awesome and cracked us all up.
The game itself was a lot of fun, and although Verb didn't win the game, there was something really exciting and invigorating about being in that space. I felt much more comfortable and at ease than I ever do at work and I even went and chatted with some teachers and staff during the game. It's been a huge process for me to make connections at work with either the students or the professionals and so I made a point last night of going down and standing with them a little bit. I chatted with Jesse (the Verb alum) and Father Mike and genuinely felt like myself for maybe the first time since I've been in California.
There was so much staff support present and I was overcome with a real feeling of community that I had felt ostracized from so far this year. I felt very comfortable and at ease in the stands and cheered the team on. It was awesome to see how into it the students and staff were, it was a genuine desire to see these boys do well and a genuine interest in them as people more than just the football game. I suppose it rubbed off on me. I never got high school sports, and I think in most cases I still don't. But Verb is a special place and the people who work there are so extremely committed to these students and social justice issues in general. Sitting in the faculty lounge I've heard a lot of very interesting conversations about social injustices and inequality and all sorts of things. These people really care and to be in an environment of well-informed, dedicated men and women is one thing I feel very fortunate for, even if I have yet to feel I am contributing.
As for the game itself, the first half was really exciting--two touchdowns that were pretty much run down the length of the field. But they fell apart after half time, sadly. Most of my housemates came to the game as well and helped cheer on the boys. It was a ton of fun, and I found myself continually wanting to start the (Philadelphia) Eagles chant or the fight song but felt a little self conscious. Maybe next time I'll work up the courage.
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