When he walked across the stage to receive his diploma with Edison Career & Technology High School’s Class of 2016, Jose Laracuente was the first member of his family to graduate high school. And today, he’s also the first Laracuente to walk down fashion-show runways as a professional model.

“I love fashion. I always have,” Laracuente says. “In my yearbook there were pictures of me, always with a tie or with something dressy. Even then, I think I knew what I was meant to do.”

Originally from Puerto Rico, Laracuente relocated as a child with his family to New York City and eventually Rochester. While at Edison Tech, he found critical support from Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection—and from Brenda Ortiz, his HWSC Youth Advocate.

“Hillside was such a help,” he recalls. “There was a point when I wanted to give up and work—to help my family, you know? But Brenda motivated me to keep going. She told me I had to push myself to the max. She didn’t give up on me, and I didn’t give up on myself.”

Today, the 27-year-old lives in New Jersey while working in New York as a model and actor—from international runway shows and print advertising jobs, to appearances on shows like “Power Book III: Raising Kanan”—while also teaching classes for aspiring models.

“Education is so important to everything in life,” he says—a lesson he imparts to his students. “If you want to be a model, that’s wonderful, but you won’t be a model for the rest of your life. You have to learn more to have more opportunities.”

Recently, Laracuente returned to Rochester to present a weeklong Fashion Boot Camp to current HWSC students (pictured above), part of the program’s annual Summer Academy activities. Participants learned model walks and poses, as well as how to prepare self-promotional materials that are critical to success in the fashion industry. The week ended with a fashion show where the students displayed what they had learned—including a newfound sense of confidence.

“Not all of them may get into modeling or fashion as a career, but that’s OK,” Laracuente says. “The most important lesson I wanted to teach them was to be confident about who they are—that they’re beautiful, inside and out.”

Laracuente says the most valuable skill he’s developed is motivation—a trait he says owes much to his experience in the HWSC program. “It takes a lot of dedication and passion to do this. When I have doubts, I remind myself of who I am. It gives me strength.”

“He learned so much as a student, and he’s carried on what he learned with us into adulthood, and into his career,” says YA Brenda Ortiz. “I’m so proud of him.”

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The following article originally appeared on the Syracuse City School District (SCSD) website, sharing the story of a remarkable trip taken by Syracuse and Binghamton Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection students to the Virginia facilities of Micron Technology. We thank our partners at Micron (including Dr. Robert Simmons), SCSD and On Point for College for their support in connecting HWSC students with this amazing opportunity to explore STEM careers!

“It’s versatile – whatever you’re looking forward to doing, you could probably find inside Micron!”

Corcoran senior Jayden Hayward was into technology when he was younger. Now, as he anticipates his life after high school, he says he’s uncertain about what career path he’ll pursue. This summer, his mother encouraged him to join a two-day trip to Washington, DC, organized by Hillside, On Point For College, and in partnership with Micron.

“I didn’t really want to go because I’ve never gone anywhere out of state by myself,” Jayden shared. “My mom encouraged me to go – I’m glad she did! I made a lot of friends. The mentors were all nice and helpful. It was something to remember – a once in a lifetime thing.”

Jayden and his peers – several current SCSD high school students along with recent SCSD graduates who are now in college – took a bus to Washington, DC where they toured the nation’s capital and got an up-close look at a Micron Chip Fab in Manassas, VA.

They learned from industry experts, witnessed the manufacturing process of microchips, and were immersed in cutting-edge technology.

“The Micron building was huge – it was very nice!” Jayden said. “They told us about how there are so many jobs at Micron and how they’re bringing it to Syracuse. They said that when we graduate, some of us could go work there. They talked to us about the types of jobs there have there. Most of the things there are automated, but people go in to do technical and engineering work, programming, and other jobs. It kind of helped me understand that there are a lot of opportunities out there. There are a lot of companies coming to Syracuse and there will be a lot of jobs here. It showed me that I can always look at all my options – I don’t have to be focused on just one thing. It opened my eyes to a lot of stuff!”

“Robotics and STEM have been a side passion for me,” ITC junior Tristan Bey said. “I wanted to see what it was about! The Micron facility had a lot of robots and automation. I’d like to study film and literature in college – but it sounds like they have work in all kinds of areas. Maybe I could make commercials or something for them! This trip really opened my views. I spoke with some of the college students who were there, and they helped me realize that you can work in an area you’re passionate about and you can get paid well doing it – you just have to work hard and be good at it.”

“I’d like to study to be an ultrasound technician or do something with business management,” ITC senior Kennaja Thomas explained. “I wanted to go on this trip because it was my first time in DC, and I thought it would allow me to see new things and have new opportunities. I learned that Micron has really well-paid internships for college students in so many areas… I’d love to try to get one! One of the women who worked at Micron was talking to me and it really helped me feel prepared for my future. She told me that whatever it is that I want to do, she believes in me and that I can do it. It really encouraged me!”

Before heading home, students were invited to explore the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Washington Monument, Capitol Building, Lincoln Memorial, and other historic landmarks.

“We went to see all the DC landmarks,” Jayden added. “That was my first time being there. It was the closest I have ever gotten to the White House, and I saw the Washington Monument and the Capitol. The African American Museum was really nice – there was a lot of information to take in, and it was my favorite part of the whole trip.”

Thank you to Hillside, On Point for College, and Micron for making this trip possible for our students!

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As he entered high school, Casanova Burgos had heard good things about participating in the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection program. He knew he would benefit from HWSC’s academic supports, and he was interested in the employment-skills training and placement that could help him find a part-time job while still working toward his diploma.

The decision to work with HWSC, he says, ultimately made a vital difference when he was devastated by multiple personal traumas: In the space of two years while still in high school, he was stabbed by a family member; his older cousin was murdered; and his biological father was killed before his eyes.

Those cascading events “led me to believe that there was little hope of a future for me,” he recalls, as he had difficulty maintaining focus or enthusiasm for his studies and career plans. “My life went from worse to far worse, but the support I received from Hillside made such a difference when it felt like nothing else would.”

His HWSC Youth Advocates and other program staff helped him regain his focus and resume the progress that led to him earning his high school diploma in 2009. “That was one of the biggest achievements of my life,” he says.

Since then Burgos, now 33, has accomplished much—and has much more to look forward to. He began studying at Monroe Community College, then joined the U.S. Navy Reserve for missions that took him to South Korea, Dubai and Spain. Returning to the U.S., he maintained his Navy commitment while working toward his college degree and holding down a job with a local manufacturer. Today, he’s in the final stages of approval for a position with the Rochester Fire Department—and he and his partner, Schvaughtne Speed, couldn’t be prouder of their 9-year-old son, Ethan Cobb.

He knows his successes are his own, but he still recognizes Hillside’s role in making them a reality. “I am a witness and testament to what Hillside’s support can do to help young folks in need,” Burgos says. “If not for Hillside, my life would have surely taken another path.”

Community support allows HWSC and other Hillside programs to reach more youth and families, and change more lives for the better. Donate to Hillside today.

In their 25 years, twin sisters Najier and Najah Johnson have done pretty much everything together. They grew up on the South and East side of Syracuse and attended Nottingham High School where, as ninth-graders, they became involved in Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection (HWSC).

Their HWSC Youth Advocates, Jeff Pettis and Aleesha Czyz, were crucial in teaching the girls life skills, helping in difficult situations in and out of school, including tutoring, advocating for them in the classroom, and ensuring the twins got what they needed to stay on a successful path. “Physically, mentally, and emotionally, our advocates always showed up for us,” said Najier.

Through HWSC’s 25-hour Youth Employment Training Academy (YETA), the twins learned time management and resume-writing, and prepared for job interviews that led to work at Wegmans, a HWSC employment partner.

As Najier and Najah entered their senior year with an eye toward college, their YAs played an even bigger role—helping them with completing FAFSA forms and applications, going on college tours, and providing mentorship support.

These hardworking and driven young women proceeded to earn Associate’s degrees in Early Childhood Education from Onondaga Community College, and Bachelor’s degrees in Social Work from Syracuse University.

Now, they’re back with HWSC—this time as Youth Advocates themselves. Najah works at Syracuse’s Oasis Academy (K-8) with students who may be having academic or social difficulties; and as a YA at Lincoln Middle School, Najier keeps an eye out for potential-rich students who may need help overcoming personal or academic challenges—just like she and her sister once did.

Witnessing the struggles their own students experience is difficult, Najah says, “because we see ourselves in them. But we’re living proof that Hillside is successful.” A double impact indeed.

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As she prepares to graduate from Potomac High School in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Chlo’e Gadson can remember the first time she heard of Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection. Six years ago, as a middle school student, she was encouraged to join the program by a HW-SC Youth Advocate who recognized her potential.

“Those after-school sessions would lead the way to my success through middle school and high school,” she recalls. “Hillside shaped me into the person I am today.”

True to the program’s name, HW-SC Youth Advocates form connections with participating students that provide support and guidance—especially in partnership with teachers, school staff, family members and employer partners. The results of those connections are seen every year, when students like Chlo’e walk across the stage to receive their well-deserved high school diplomas.

“These aren’t just regular people,” Chlo’e says of the YAs with whom she bonded during her time in the program. “They love what they do, and they genuinely care about the students. They helped me grow as a person, and helped me with my resume for jobs. Thanks to them I stayed on top of my school work, and I look at the bigger picture outside of school. I visited colleges, and learned to balance my school work with my extra-curricular activities.

“Sometimes students don’t have that support system that they need,” she adds, “but without Hillside, I honestly don’t know who or where I would be.”

After she collects her diploma, Chlo’e will head to Towson University to pursue a degree in Psychology. “It’s kind of bittersweet knowing that this is my last year with Hillside. Joining this program is a decision I will never regret.”

Jermaine LeGree was a middle school student when he first heard about Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection from his mother. “Mom put me in the program as soon as I set foot in high school,” he recalls. “She told me it would help me get a job and scholarships, and boost my resume.” 

Over the next several years, Jermaine’s commitment to that transformative program would do even more—helping to prepare the student for success in school, and the bright future he had always visualized for himself.

HW-SC was developed more than 30 years ago to reverse the trend of low graduation rates among students facing socioeconomic challenges. The foundation of the program’s success is the connection between each participating student and their HW-SC Youth Advocate (YA), a dedicated professional placed in the school who provides structure and motivation.

Jermaine found his caring connection with Tomeka Green. An HW-SC alumna who became a YA as a way of giving back to the kids in her community, Green helped the young man unite all dimensions of his life. In her YA role, she checked in regularly with the student, his teachers and even his family at home; facilitated academic tutoring and job readiness training; and even helped him secure his first part-time job.

This model of coordinated support has been proven to make a difference in the lives of students whose socioeconomic backgrounds put them at an increased risk of not graduating from high school.

“My favorite thing about Mrs. Green is her attitude. She gets straight to business,” says Jermaine. “She kept me on track with my schoolwork and my different responsibilities – like a second mom, I guess. Sometimes that was just what I needed.”

“I understand where the kids are coming from, what they’re going through, because someone helped me,” Green says.

Between his part-time job and Green’s one-on-one mentoring, Jermaine developed the time-management and prioritization skills he needed to balance his schoolwork, job and extracurricular activities. “Being both an employee and a student can be stressful,” explains Jermaine, “but it’s taught me important life lessons.”

Having completed the HW-SC program and graduated high school, Jermaine is now enrolled at Pace University in New York City, where he has his sights on a BFA acting program major and a science minor.

“Hillside has had a huge impact on my life,” he enthuses. “The Work-Scholarship program helped me focus on my goals and make them happen.”

Ultimately, a high school diploma would only be the beginning of Carmona Ross’ academic journey. As a middle school student in 1992, however, that future was tough for her to imagine.

“I’d been having trouble with some of my classes,” Carmona recalls. “This lady at school started asking me questions about my goals, like college. But I never thought I could go to college—my family was poor, we were struggling to get by, and so I thought it wasn’t for me.”

The woman, Annette Gantt, was a Youth Advocate for Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection; soon, she’d persuaded Carmona to give HW-SC a try. “She saw something in me that I didn’t see at the time,” Carmona says. “She was extremely persistent. And eventually I began to believe in myself.”

Through her close-knit partnership with Annette, her mother and her teachers, Carmona saw her grades and her confidence increase as she moved through high school. Along the way, she began visualizing a path toward college and a community-oriented career.

“I’m a living and breathing product of Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection,” she says. “I graduated high school on time with honors. Earned my dual bachelor’s degree; my first Master’s in Political Science; my second Master’s in Public Administration. Now I’ve been accepted to a PhD program. So I will say that the program works.”

Carmona will pursue her doctorate while keeping her day job with Planned Parenthood, where she develops cultural competence and health literacy programs. Even with those commitments, she still devotes volunteer hours to local nonprofits. She’s dedicated to using her time wisely, and to giving back.

“And it started back in school,” she insists. “It took one Advocate to believe in me, a young person from the inner city from a single-parent household that didn’t see potential in herself. Where would I be now without that? I don’t know.”