Allan Appel Photo
Michael Blake could save $100 a month on traveling to Bridgeport if New Haven could get its own chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers at Hillhouse High — where it was discontinued — or at a place like the Q House, which is shuttered.
Blake (at left in photo) told that Tuesday night to someone who hopes a chance to do something about it: a mayoral candidate.
He showed up at the Wilson Branch Library with a dozen kids for a “youth forum on education” with independent mayoral candidate Justin Elicker (at right in photo) and some adult supporters, including local entrepreneurs Camille Bethea and Travis Pittman, a one-time drug dealer who has made good. Hillhouse High School Principal Kermit Carolina, who ran against Elicker in the Democratic mayoral primary and now supports him in Elicker’s general-election campaign against Democrat Toni Harp, brought the kids together to the event..
The kids’ echoed Blake’s concern about boosting after-school enrichment programs. In a wide-ranging discussion that included jobs, after-school programs, street violence, and how charter and public schools compare, Elicker was skillful at involving each kid in the circle and eliciting what activities they were involved in and what concerns they had.
He also promised them pizza and salad afterwards. Rather than talk at the kids, he acted as a teacher/facilitator and made sure they all got heard.
Elicker greeting Hillhouse High juniors Winny Sanchez and Aaron Vereen, who said he has applied to 50 jobs in the last two years, with not a nibble.
Michael Blake, a Hillhouse junior, rattled off activities he’s currently involved in, enough activities for three kids: They include the Higher Heights Program, New Haven Promise’s “Pathways to College,” and the National Society of Black Engineers.
For the latter he takes the train to Bridgeport. New Haven used to have such a program, but no longer does. “I’d save $100 a month” if t did, he added.
Charter vs. Traditional Public School
The conversation shifted to kids’ different experiences at charter schools and regular high schools. “I go to Amistad [charter High School] right now. You can’t express yourself,” said Danah Samuel (pictured). She also introduced herself and her distinctive outfit by saying it had been “wacky-tacky” day at school.
Blake said that he had transferred from a charter school to Hillhouse “because they offer more programs.”
Then Sabir Abdussabur, a graduate of Amistad High and now a Gateway student, came to the defense of his alma mater, and the city’s schools in general.
“I love public high schools, broad opportunities. The problem is we have a social class attached to each school. We need the variety [of schools] because kids are different.” Abdussabur runs a “Youth Day Productions” technology workshop at the Wilson Library teaching kids videography, photoshop, and web design.
Throughout, Elicker mainly listened. “We could have a two-week retreat, and not solve” all these issues, he said as he wrapped it up.
Michael Blake was won over. “I’d choose Justin Elicker,” he said. “I haven’t heard [Harp] attracting high school kids and seeing their thoughts.” Blake, who is 16, is not eligible to vote. At least one 18-year-old in the crowd, who is not registered to vote at this point, said he was also swayed by Elicker.