Our Success Stories
Ezekiah Bacchus is an achievement-oriented high school junior. He is self-motivated and demands excellence of himself. For six years he was a part of Amazing Afternoons After School Program at Edward Williams School. During this time, he attended Wagon Road Camp for three summers. Wagon Road taught him not only how to play baseball and kickball, but also how to get along with others and how to be a leader. Ezekiah especially enjoyed learning to swim and ride horseback. Camp made Ezekiah who he is today. It taught him responsibility and independence —two traits he exhibits as he works diligently in high school. After a wonderful experience at Wagon Road Camp, Ezekiah moved on to the sleep -away camp, Eagle Hill, for five years. While at Camp Eagle Hill, Ezekiah made many friends from around the world and he looks forward to being a counselor next summer. Last summer, he qualified for and participated in And over Summer Session where he took academic classes. Ezekiah loves sports and has been on both the football and track teams, where he excels as a sprinter. He is a member of the Spanish Honor Society and the Global Volunteer Network. He has participated in Focus on the Future Fun Run fund raiser for three years. Being active outside of school is important to Ezekiah and he has been volunteering at Backyard Sports for four years. He coaches and assists children with develop mental and physical disabilities. Ezekiah also serves on the Junior Board of Backyard Sports. In addition, he is a member of the Youth Committee at Gilda’s Club and has completed the Summer Youth Institute (Domestic Violence Awareness Program) at My Sister’s Place. He has worked at Sacred Heart Church soup kitchen for three years. In his spare time, Ezekiah enjoys playing sports and listening to music. He especially likes playing the violin, which he has been doing for eight years. He is proud to play with his high school orchestra, at Concordia Conservatory of Music and at Edward Williams’ concerts as a guest performer. Ezekiah is excited to begin college in 2017 and looks forward to a career as a surgeon.
DeJuan Shattock is a high school junior who is determined, thoughtful and kind. He greatly enjoyed participating in WJCS’ Amazing Afternoons After School Program at Edward Williams School for six years. During this time, he attended Wagon Road Camp for five summers. Learning to be a strong swimmer, playing sports, and conquering the challenge course gave De Juan confidence. He remembers camp as always being fun, even on rainy days. After De Juan’s amazing experience at Wagon Road Camp, he went on to Camp Sanborn, a sleep -away camp in Colorado. As De Juan matured and learned much about himself at Camp Sanborn, he be came more responsible and caring towards others. Camp Sanborn encouraged De Juan to “get out of his comfort zone ” and experience new things. He succeeded in both physical and mental challenges and learned how to connect with others, even those with which he had little in common. He is forever grateful for his camp experiences. De Juan is also grateful for many volunteer opportunities that he has had. He is the vice president of Allen Temple /AME Church Youth Group. Teaching the younger children at Friday School (like Sunday School) has been very rewarding for him. He also enjoys participating in Midnight Run (provides food and clothing for the homeless). Each year, De Juan helps out at the WRT/Greater Centennial AME Church MLK Service. De Juan has volunteered at Sacred Heart Church soup kitchen and at Amazing Afternoons After School Program for two years. He is currently employed b y Amazing Afternoons After School Program as an assistant group leader, where he is a mentor and a tutor. De Juan participates in SASF (Sports & Arts Students Foundation), an after school program for high school students. He performed in a poetry read ing and dance for Black History Month and most recently he competed in a Step Competition, where his team came home with the 3rd place trophy! In his free time, De Juan likes to hang out with friends, listen to music and read . De Juan looks forward to attend ing college in 2017, where he will study business and hopes to have his own marketing company one day.
Ecli Vazquez is a conscientious and creative high school junior. He participated in WJCS’ Amazing Afternoons After School Program at Edward Williams School as well as Wagon Road Camp for four years. Ecli remembers what a positive impact camp had on him, especially as a camper who spoke very little English when he arrived at camp. Wagon Road Camp was instrumental in Ecli’s English language acquisition, and he has wonderful memories of friendly counselors, learning to swim, creating fun projects in arts & crafts, and making new friends. His experiences each summer gave Ecli a tremendous appreciation of the outdoors. He felt peaceful and happy as he explored and learned about nature. Camp taught him to be compassionate, hard working and easy going - traits that are evident in all he does today. Ecli always works hard to do his best. In middle school, he received second place in a school-wide poetry contest. He has continued his success in high school where English is his favorite class. He is a member of the Spanish Honor Society and the Global Volunteer Network. Ecli joined the track team this year and has competed as a sprinter and as a shot-putter. He greatly enjoys participating in several activities outside of school, too . He has been coaching and mentoring develop mentally and physically disabled children at Backyard Sports for four years. In addition, he serves on the Backyard Sports Junior Board. He has participated in Focus on the Future Fun Run fundraiser for three years and enjoys lending a hand at the WRT/Greater Centennial AME Church MLK Service each year. Ecli’s compassion for others is also seen in his participation in Gilda’s Westchester Youth Committee, which has been honored this year with the 2016 Youth Group in Action Award . Ecli loves nature and is an enthusiastic member of the Garden Club and the Explorers Club. He relaxes by playing guitar, watching movie s and listening to all kind s of music. Ecli is exceptionally perceptive and helping others is what he loves to do. He looks forward to attending college in 2017 to begin the journey of fulfilling his dream of becoming a psychiatrist.
DeJuan Shattock is a high school junior who is determined, thoughtful and kind. He greatly enjoyed participating in WJCS’ Amazing Afternoons After School Program at Edward Williams School for six years. During this time, he attended Wagon Road Camp for five summers. Learning to be a strong swimmer, playing sports, and conquering the challenge course gave De Juan confidence. He remembers camp as always being fun, even on rainy days. After De Juan’s amazing experience at Wagon Road Camp, he went on to Camp Sanborn, a sleep -away camp in Colorado. As De Juan matured and learned much about himself at Camp Sanborn, he be came more responsible and caring towards others. Camp Sanborn encouraged De Juan to “get out of his comfort zone ” and experience new things. He succeeded in both physical and mental challenges and learned how to connect with others, even those with which he had little in common. He is forever grateful for his camp experiences. De Juan is also grateful for many volunteer opportunities that he has had. He is the vice president of Allen Temple /AME Church Youth Group. Teaching the younger children at Friday School (like Sunday School) has been very rewarding for him. He also enjoys participating in Midnight Run (provides food and clothing for the homeless). Each year, De Juan helps out at the WRT/Greater Centennial AME Church MLK Service. De Juan has volunteered at Sacred Heart Church soup kitchen and at Amazing Afternoons After School Program for two years. He is currently employed b y Amazing Afternoons After School Program as an assistant group leader, where he is a mentor and a tutor. De Juan participates in SASF (Sports & Arts Students Foundation), an after school program for high school students. He performed in a poetry read ing and dance for Black History Month and most recently he competed in a Step Competition, where his team came home with the 3rd place trophy! In his free time, De Juan likes to hang out with friends, listen to music and read . De Juan looks forward to attend ing college in 2017, where he will study business and hopes to have his own marketing company one day.
Ecli Vazquez is a conscientious and creative high school junior. He participated in WJCS’ Amazing Afternoons After School Program at Edward Williams School as well as Wagon Road Camp for four years. Ecli remembers what a positive impact camp had on him, especially as a camper who spoke very little English when he arrived at camp. Wagon Road Camp was instrumental in Ecli’s English language acquisition, and he has wonderful memories of friendly counselors, learning to swim, creating fun projects in arts & crafts, and making new friends. His experiences each summer gave Ecli a tremendous appreciation of the outdoors. He felt peaceful and happy as he explored and learned about nature. Camp taught him to be compassionate, hard working and easy going - traits that are evident in all he does today. Ecli always works hard to do his best. In middle school, he received second place in a school-wide poetry contest. He has continued his success in high school where English is his favorite class. He is a member of the Spanish Honor Society and the Global Volunteer Network. Ecli joined the track team this year and has competed as a sprinter and as a shot-putter. He greatly enjoys participating in several activities outside of school, too . He has been coaching and mentoring develop mentally and physically disabled children at Backyard Sports for four years. In addition, he serves on the Backyard Sports Junior Board. He has participated in Focus on the Future Fun Run fundraiser for three years and enjoys lending a hand at the WRT/Greater Centennial AME Church MLK Service each year. Ecli’s compassion for others is also seen in his participation in Gilda’s Westchester Youth Committee, which has been honored this year with the 2016 Youth Group in Action Award . Ecli loves nature and is an enthusiastic member of the Garden Club and the Explorers Club. He relaxes by playing guitar, watching movie s and listening to all kind s of music. Ecli is exceptionally perceptive and helping others is what he loves to do. He looks forward to attending college in 2017 to begin the journey of fulfilling his dream of becoming a psychiatrist.