Names in the News: Jade Williams

Jade Williams, a student at the Alternative Campus High School, recently announced her intention to play college basketball on scholarship at The Keokuk Campus of Southeastern Community College in Keokuk, IA. The Alternative Campus High School, which is a part of New Rochelle High School, has been designed to provide approximately 70 students with a small, supportive setting in which to pursue their high school diploma.

New Rochelle Patch asked Jade to answer some questions about her career track, reasons for choosing an Iowa college and her experience at the Alternative Campus High School.

Name: Jade Williams
Age: 17

New Rochelle Patch: How did you decide on Southeastern Community College?
Jade Williams: For a fact, I knew I did not want to go to an in-state college. I wanted to go down south, but once I was offered a scholarship out in Iowa, I knew it would be a perfect fit, because I have tons of family there. I also knew this would be a place where I can grow as a basketball player, considering the intense and new competition.

NRP: What will you be studying while you are there? What will your major be?
JW: At my school, I will be majoring in business. I mainly wanted to do culinary, but since I want to own my own bakery, and this school doesn’t not supply that major, I figure it will go hand-in-hand once I pick my next school in two years that will have a culinary major.

NRP: What do you want to do after graduating college?
JW: After I graduate, I plan to dive right into the culinary business and learn the trade deeply enough until I feel I’m ready to own my own bakery.

NRP: How did the Alternative Campus High School help you get through your public school education? What challenges did you face before you went there?
JW: The smaller classrooms where the teachers are able to teach us more is the main reason for my high school success. Before New Rochelle Campus, I was struggling to stay focused in the big classes. The teachers weren’t as enthusiastic about making the kids want to learn or pass. At Campus, the teachers made sure there was a variety of ways to learn things. Hands-on activites, group activities, verbal and visual. I feel my transfer was my best choice.

NRP: What are some of the advantages of going there for you?
JW: The Advantages of going to the campus was I had teachers willing to do right by me and my education. They gave us all the keys to pass our Regents with flying colors and the keys to succeed in our classes, preparing us to take the next step forward and to do it without fear.

NRP: You've been helping other students, especially in math. What do you get out of assisting them with their education?
JW: Well for one math is a tough subject for people, so I would love to help anyone struggling, since I would want someone to help me in the same situation. I feel this helps me to be patient with people, and it helps the student learn to not give up. In math, there are so many ways to figure out the answer, but there is always ONE right answer, and if I can help anyone with finding it then I feel happy to have assisted.

NRP: What advice do you have for younger students who may be frustrated in school?
JW: If you take the time to realize what you want in life, then you have to go through the bad to get a good outcome. You have to put forth the effort and go to extra help if you want to pass your classes to be eligible to go to the next level. There are so many available resources to help you; you just have to use them. School can be a breeze or it can make you want to rip your hair out. It's you who decides how it will be. The teachers don’t make a grade up out of thin air. You’re the only one to blame when you don’t receive the positive outcome you were hoping for.