Back to School: Meet the YouthQuest Site Team Leaders and Lead Learning Guides

Brandon Nuby, Site Team Leader

What’s your best YouthQuest Memory?

I moved around a lot from different sites. One time I visited some students at my former YouthQuest site, and they were all very excited and asked if I was coming back to the site. I had to tell them no, but I still got crazy love from them.

India Boone, YQ Comprehensive

What is your favorite part about working with YouthQuest students?

I can be myself! In the adult world, you can’t always be your full self, but with YouthQuest students, I can be silly and dance and sing and it’s accepted.

Ashley Burdt, YQ Clubhouse

What is something students would be surprised to find out about you?

That I was a ballerina for 16 years!

Alluna Calloway-Lang, Site Team Leader

What’s your best YouthQuest memory?

Our first end-of-the-year celebration at Potter. Seeing their faces was heartwarming. They were able to experience things they had never experienced before.

Ernal Patton, YQ Comprehensive

What is your favorite part about working with YouthQuest students?

Seeing their faces light up as they start to understand different projects we are doing.

Asia Wade, YQ Clubhouse

What is something students would be surprised to find out about you?

Students are always shocked when they find out I have a kid. It makes me change from sister to auntie or second mom.

Keoshia Cook, Site Team Leader

What is something students would be surprised to find out about you?

I am actually a very shy person and don’t like speaking in front of large groups of adults.

Katrina Nickson, YQ Comprehensive

What is your best YouthQuest memory?

One year, during ArtQuest, high school students came to our site prior to the event dressed as different Disney characters. The students were excited to take photos with them.

Gloria Henley, YQ Clubhouse

What is your favorite thing about working with YouthQuest students?

I get to learn along with them!

Korie Harden, Site Team Leader

What is your best YouthQuest memory?

The Summer on the Road trip to Toronto. I was the lead on planning the entire trip and had to work to get permission slips and passport information for all the students since we were going to another country. It was all worth it to see the excitement of the students.

Deneshia Smith, YQ Comprehensive and Clubhouse

What is your favorite thing about working with YouthQuest students?

Engaging with the students! We have done a lot of art projects and exposed students to painting and arts & crafts.

Brook Borrow, Site Team Leader

What is your favorite thing about working with YouthQuest Students?

Being a bright part of a student’s day and being able to lead them in the right direction.

Erik Fields, YQ Clubhouse

What is your best YouthQuest memory?

I had a student who wouldn’t talk to me for the longest time. One day we got in a conversation and after that, we talked every day. It took months for them to warm up to me, but it was great when they did.

Carlen Shoemaker, Site Team Leader

What is your best YouthQuest memory?

When I was working as a learning guide, the students got together with the other guides and threw a surprise party for my birthday. Although I knew about the party in advance, it was nice to have all the students surprise me.

Shayla Boose, YQ Comprehensive

What is your favorite thing about working with YouthQuest Students?

I have a passion for working with kids and this job allows me to do that.

DeQuasha Poplar, YQ Clubhouse

What is something students would be surprised to find out about you?

Students are always surprised to find out how old I am! I look young and kids always think I am participating in YouthQuest.

Bridget Sims, Site Team Leader

What is your best YouthQuest memory?

I introduced students to affirmations. One day, during an art project, a student made a mistake on the project and another student told them, “It’s okay to make mistakes. That is how we learn and grow.” That phrase came directly from an affirmation I had taught them.

Chene Montgomery, YQ Comprehensive

What is your favorite thing about working with YouthQuest students?

The freedom we have to teach them. We don’t have to be as rigid with lesson plans as day school teachers.

Danielle Williams, Site Team Leader

What is your best YouthQuest memory?

There was a 13-year-old student who was held back in 6^th grade and had a problem attending classes. We ended up making friends with him, got him to start attending YouthQuest and used that as an incentive for him to attend school during the day. At the end of the school year, his father ended up thanking us because he started doing much better in school.

Sophia Howell, YQ Comprehensive

What is something YouthQuest students would be surprised to find out about you?

I am really good at playing basketball.

Janae Franklin, YQ Clubhouse

What is your favorite thing about working with YouthQuest students?

Being able to have a new perspective on things and having them connect with us on a personal level.

Miranda Manns, Site Team Leader

What is something YouthQuest students would be surprised to find out about you?

I love country music.

Tiara Wheeler, YQ Comprehensive & Clubhouse

What is your favorite thing about working with YouthQuest students?

That I come into contact with unique kids who all have taught me something new.

Valerie Newman, Site Team Leader

What is your best YouthQuest memory?

When we took the students to Toronto during Summer on the Road. We made sure the tell them they had to be very respectful and act well, and they did a great job. When we went to Niagara Falls, we let the students explore. When it came time to get back on the bus, some of the students broke out into song, and the other visitors were so impressed by their performance.

Erica Givens-Palmer, YQ Comprehensive

What is something YouthQuest students would be surprised to find out about you?

They think we never got ourselves into trouble when we were their age.

Jessica Johnson, YQ Clubhouse

What is your favorite part about working with YouthQuest students?

We are able to have positive, close relationships with students.

Michael Fortelka, Site Team Leader

What is something YouthQuest students would be surprised to find out about you?

I used to be a semi-pro hockey player.

Steven Barber, YQ Comprehensive

What is your favorite thing about working with YouthQuest students?

Working with the students also during day school. It is nice to be able to apply practical things and get away from textbooks.

Shalana Taylor, YQ Clubhouse

What is your best YouthQuest memory?

The Washington D.C. trip! We went to so many places and the students learned a ton. It was a lot of fun.

Donna Tanner, Site Team Leader

What is your best YouthQuest memory?

Any time when I work with a student who is struggling, and I am able to step in are my best moments.

Brelia Allen, YQ Comprehensive

What is something YouthQuest students would be surprised to find out about you?

Students are surprised to find out that I am a performer. I sing at events such as weddings.

Amanda Perkins, YQ Clubhouse

What is your favorite thing about working with YouthQuest students?

It can be a challenge but there is never a bad day. The students make you feel loved and make you want to be there.

Jordan Kleinedler, Site Team Leader

What is your favorite part about working with YouthQuest students?

Providing a safe and warm environment for the students and seeing how excited they are to be there.

Sheneka Humphries, YQ Comprehensive

What is your best YouthQuest memory?

When I worked the last summer program at Carman Ainsworth. Since it was an all-day program, I was able to spend a lot of time with students and connect with them.

AlexeaRay Youmans, YQ Clubhouse

What is something YouthQuest students would be surprised to find out about you?

That I love rap music, or that I have three kids of my own.