Elizabeth & George: Leading By Example

It’s rare to come across a teenager fully confident in their own skin – let alone to cross paths with two such teens. But that’s exactly who Elizabeth and George are in the Day Student program at the University of Texas–University Charter School at MCH.

“Elizabeth and George are both leaders and they don’t even recognize it,” said Clarence Degrate, Day Student program coordinator. “We have student leaders who may be bolder; these two are quiet but lead by example. A lot of other kids look up to them.”

The siblings have humble natures, something Degrate and other staff say draws people to them.

“Their kindness has always stood out to me – that’s just how they were brought up,” said Amy Grisham, director of school support. “Elizabeth and George’s parents are so supportive of them and that support fuels their children’s willingness to try new things.”

Elizabeth and George’s parents are from Mexico and their mother, Nancy, is grateful her children have a wide array of opportunities to flourish at the charter school.

“I want my children to have a good education so they can achieve anything they want and to have a better life than what my husband and I had,” Nancy said, as tears filled her eyes.

Elizabeth agreed with the way her mother and MCH staff described her family’s dynamic.

“George and I are thankful our parents gave us a better life,” Elizabeth said. “I am looking forward to being the first in our family to go to college.”

Elizabeth, Liz for short, enrolled in the Day Student program two years ago as a freshman and continues to seize every opportunity the charter school offers.

“We didn’t have any sports or other extracurriculars at our previous school,” Elizabeth said. “Being on a team and participating in other activities gives me time to connect with my friends and strengthen those relationships.”

Being on a team also provides opportunities for mentorship and Elizabeth has developed a special bond with her basketball coach.

“Liz makes me smile all of the time and is such a beautiful person,” said Akira Levy, an MCH athletics coordinator who coaches the girls basketball team. “She gets it done on the court too! She goes after whatever I instruct her to do and is a natural leader on our team.”

Elizabeth has certainly made her mark at MCH, having been in basketball, volleyball, choir, Ag Sciences, outdoor education, and volunteer opportunities. The 16 year-old junior is also decorated in academics with hopes of graduating early in May 2024 and eventually becoming a pediatrician. She already has a head start, thanks to the charter school’s partnership with the Greater Waco Advanced Health Care Academy (GWACHA). The program offers students opportunities to gain experience in the medical field and earn certification as a nurse assistant (CNA).

“We are doing clinicals now in nursing homes,” Elizabeth said. “It was nerve-wracking at first, but I have gotten used to performing my clinical duties on actual patients. I have learned a lot of medical knowledge in GWACHA and the staff have also taught us how to find employment and network.”

George is two years younger than his sister. The freshman has become a quiet standout at the charter school.

“Liz told me all about the good things she was experiencing through MCH and I didn’t want to miss out on the fun,” George said with a smile.

George admitted it took him some time to adjust to the new school environment and staff were impressed with how he handled different situations with grace.

“The thing that impresses me about George is even when he came to us as an eighth grader, he never fed into his peers’ behavior,” Degrate said. “He is always smooth and easy going. The other kids don’t try anything with George either. They know who he is and look up to him.”

Like his sister, George has fully embraced the Day Student program at MCH by participating in football, basketball, track, anime club, outdoor education, Ag Sciences, and volunteer work. The smaller class sizes at the charter school also give space for George, Elizabeth and other students to build a rapport with their teachers and school staff.

“It is really rewarding to witness their success,” said Allyson Welch, case manager for the Day Student program. “Liz and George used to never ask for help, but now they truly advocate for themselves and help lead their peers in their own unique way.”

The duo’s success was celebrated at last year’s school award ceremony in the Harrell Memorial Chapel on the Waco campus. Elizabeth and George were recognized numerous times for their hard work in academics and extracurricular activities, applauded by their friends and family, as well as the entire school and many MCH staff members who were in attendance.

“The award ceremony was fun because we ended up with a lot of medals and awards,” George said. “Our friends were amazed Liz and I were being called up over and over again. They were really proud of us.”

The adults who pour into George and Elizabeth were full of pride in that moment as well.

“I will never forget that day because the Day Student program really shined during the award ceremony,” Degrate said. “Liz and George really represent us well!”

“My husband and I are so proud of everything our children are doing and that they have the courage to take on so many new and fun challenges,” Nancy said.

Last summer, Elizabeth and George were the first Day Students to be part of a spiritual development camp. A group of MCH residents and MCH spiritual development ministers attended the weeklong camp in Glen Rose, Texas. The camp provides safe spaces for youth and adults to share, grow in their faith and create lasting Christ-centered relationships.

“George was the only boy from MCH in our group at the camp,” said Ron Britton, spiritual development minister. “We stayed in the same cabin together and got along famously. Whenever there were hard moments for other kids, George remained positive and encouraged them to be more optimistic. He was a good influence on the cabin group.”

Small group discussions and various recreational activities cultivated opportunities for George and Elizabeth to freely express themselves and make new connections at camp.

“We both made more friends at the camp and it was a nice experience,” Elizabeth said. “I still keep in touch with some of the girls I met.”

Opportunities for growth and fun experiences contribute to setting the Day Student program apart, Grisham explained.

“We don’t focus on just educating our students at the charter school,” Grisham said. “We work to help students grow as well-rounded people. Elizabeth and George have grown in their confidence and they really make our jobs easy because they are amazing kids.”

“I would encourage other students who are interested in the Day Student program to give it a try,” George said. “You may discover a lot of good things and people, like Liz and I have.”

MCH launched the Day Student program in 2012 for students in Waco and surrounding communities needing a smaller academic setting. Day Students are eligible to participate in all MCH extracurricular activities such as athletics, summer camp, homecoming, and prom. Day Student graduates also have access to Transition Services and Independent Living resources, including scholarships for college or vocational school. The program maintains a 100 percent graduation rate.

For more information about the Day Student program at MCH, call the school office at (254) 750-2600 to speak with Clarence Degrate, Day Student program coordinator, or Allyson Welch, Day Student case manager.