Written and shared by Corinthian William
My name is Corinthian Williams, and I am a 17-year-old senior attending Booker T. Washington High School. I am from the Lakeside/Queensborough area of Shreveport, Louisiana. After graduation, I plan to attend Northwestern State University and major in Medical Information Technology.
I was first introduced to the Communities In Schools, or CIS, program in middle school at Fair Park Preparatory Academy with Ms. Kirk, the site coordinator. At that time, I did not enjoy going to school, but Ms. Kirk played a major role in motivating me to attend and stay focused. She consistently encouraged me and did her best to keep me out of trouble.
When I entered high school, I unfortunately fell back into some of my old habits. I reached a point where I believed I did not need school and felt that many of the things being taught would not be useful in the real world. Concepts like the Pythagorean theorem seemed impractical because I did not see how I would apply them in the real world. Because of this mindset, I believed I already knew everything and I was not very open to guidance or advice. I frequently found myself in trouble.
My bad behavior eventually led to me receiving 18 referrals, putting me on the verge of expulsion and facing a disciplinary hearing. I felt like I had failed and believed I was going to be the only one of my mother’s children to be kicked out of school. I became angry and resistant to the idea of attending an alternative school. The thought of starting over somewhere new, where I didn’t know anyone, was difficult, especially since I already had many friends at Booker T. Washington.
At that time, my French teacher, Ms. Brousard, referred me to Ms. Turner, the site coordinator, in the CIS program. Initially, I was hesitant and did not fully trust Ms. Turner. However, she quickly made me feel comfortable and created a space where I felt safe talking about anything, including issues outside of school. I felt like I belonged to something bigger than just being a student in high school and someone truly cared about me.
Ms. Turner played an important role in helping me stay on track. I remember speaking with Ms. Turner, and she explained how the program works and what to expect. She also reassured me that she would always be there if I ever needed support or had any problems. I would often go to the CIS room whenever I felt like I might get into trouble or needed guidance. I found myself enjoying my time in CIS and realizing that I truly wanted and needed to be a part of the program.
For example, there was a time when I had a disagreement with one of my teachers about how an assignment should be done. The situation escalated, and she considered writing me up and removing me from class. Instead, Ms. Turner showed up and pulled me out into the hallway so we could talk. She listened to my perspective and then walked back into the classroom with me and helped resolve the issue, which allowed me to finish my work without receiving a referral and build better communication with that teacher.
Another time, I found out my girlfriend at the time had been unfaithful- you know, normal teen problems. I went to the CIS room to talk about how I was feeling and to get some guidance. Ms. Turner reassured me that everything would be okay and helped me slow down and think clearly. Instead of reacting off emotions or rumors, she encouraged me to communicate directly and make a decision I wouldn’t regret later.
There was also a time when I was failing geometry. I went to Ms. Turner to talk about my grades, although I honestly didn’t want her to pull them up. She did anyway, but she wasn’t upset. Instead, she asks me how I was feeling and if I was okay overall. I explained to her how difficult the class was for me, and she immediately began to help me. Some days she even pulled me out of class so we could work on the assignments together. It was challenging at first, but eventually I started to understand the material. In the end, I passed geometry and didn’t have to worry about that class anymore.
As time went on, I began doing much better in school. However, at one point during my sophomore year, I still believed I no longer needed school and considered dropping out to pursue my GED. I discussed this with Ms. Turner, and she helped me see things from a different perspective. She explained how much stronger it would look for my future if I stayed in school and earned my diploma. Looking back, I am very grateful that I listened to her advice. Today, I am excelling in every area of my life. I have grown into a better person both inside and outside of school, and I am currently on a path towards becoming an IT professional and have plans to study in a summer program at Ochsner LSU Health.
I would not be here today if it weren’t for CIS. Over the years, my behavior and attendance improved significantly. I went from having 17 referrals and more than 40 unexcused absences to currently having 0 referrals and only 10 unexcused absences. The younger version of me would never believe that one day I would have my mindset together and be standing in front of nearly 1,000 people sharing my story. Deep down, I always knew I had the potential to be successful because people had been telling me since elementary school that I was an outstanding young man. However, I did not fully believe in myself at the time, and I spent too much time playing around instead of focusing on my future.
The graduating senior I am soon to be would not agree with the 10th grade me. Back then, I thought I knew everything and believed my way was the best way. Now I understand that growth requires listening, learning, and being open to change. The person I am today is excited about continuing to grow and taking advantage of the opportunities ahead.
The guidance and support I received through the CIS program and Ms. Turner helped me change my mindset, stay focused, and continue working toward my goals for the future.
Ms. Turner, would you please stand up and be recognized?
Ms. Turner helped me realize things are not always as they seem. The path you may be on and the emotions you are experiencing can all be a part of a much bigger picture. When you are going through it, it can be difficult to clearly see where that path is leading. You must trust your instincts, be yourself, and believe in the possibilities ahead.