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New Leaders Step-Up at Griot
As we start up our fifth year of Griot, there are a lot of
new faces and some old ones in new roles. It is bittersweet to watch the
students you love spread their wings and move on; we are so proud of them and
excited for their future, but miss their smiling faces and unique
personalities.
All six of our graduated seniors from last year are in college
or working full-time, but have found ways to stop by the building to say hello. Two of our first group of student leaders
graduated and have moved on to new roles in the community, leaving space for
two new student leaders. We love seeing familiar faces in new roles! Valencia
Metcalf is now in college at CCC and working for Quapaw Canoe Company. We are so delighted to see her move from
student to teacher for our river arts classes.
Chris Riley is working full-time for the animal shelter and volunteering
as an assistant to Griot dance classes.
Our new student leaders, Jasmine and NaMonte, have already
shown themselves to be up to the task as we started off the year with
leadership training and bible study with our returning leaders T’Keyah and
Noah. The student leaders helped to set
the tone for a great 5th year at Griot as they made our 10 new students
feel welcome and helped to lead art projects and team building activities
during orientation last week. Our
building continues to become an even more creative and welcoming space as we
add student art to our walls and spaces.
I am so excited to see how God is going to
continue to equip and grow our Griot students into amazing leaders in their
communities that will give back through the arts, community service, and their daily
example. Stop by our building on Sunflower and check-out what we do after school!
~ Emily Wisseman, Griot Youth Program Director
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