On a cold and rainy Monday afternoon, seven children ranging from 4th to 8th graders gather into one of the activity rooms at Rosel Fann Recreation Center. Some are startled by the video equipment they see set up in the corner, others are curious to find out who these three strangers are in the room. They introduce themselves as Liz, Gary, and Katie, and proceed to sit the kids down at a table where the students will write their names on cards. After a brief period of socializing with their new acquaintances and eating oranges and craisins, it’s time for these students to find out what’s really going on.
Most of them think they’ll be learning how to make movies. Most of them hope they’ll be learning how to make movies. Not entirely.
Liz announces that she and her partners are from Talk About Your Future, which causes a stirred reaction amongst the children. A few of them are excited by this idea, revealing that they have dreams of great success for their futures, while others remained unmoved.
In her introduction of Talk About Your Future (TAYF), Liz explains to the students that for the next six weeks they will be hearing from a number of speakers about exercise, nutrition, sleep, and other healthy lifestyle choices. This incites a lively discussion amongst the kids about their own healthy habits. Some of them have a lot to say; one girl shares with Liz that she scored the first points of her basketball game last week, which encourages another to tell her about her accomplishments in school. Some of these kids are already comfortable enough to be sharing their proudest moments with the members of TAYF.
About thirty minutes after the start of the program, another seven children enter the room. They go through the same routine as the others, writing names on cards and eating snacks, and talking to Liz about their personal habits. Once Liz is able to get at least a few words out of each child, it’s time to play a game.
Not all fourteen kids go to the same school-about half are from Humphries Elementary School, the other half from Heritage Academy-and not everybody knows much about one another. As part of the game, they are encouraged to ask every individual in the room a range of questions, which will help them learn more about one another. The children write the responses on the questions sheet. Some of the questions included, “Ask someone else their favorite healthy snack,” “Ask someone how much sleep they had last night,” and “Ask someone their favorite after school activity.”
The interactions amongst the kids were livelier than ever during the game. Many of them were learning things they’d never known about one another, and building new friendships over each other’s shared interests.
During TAYF’s remaining time with the kids, Gary introduces them to the “VidRhythm” App. Individuals are recorded saying either “Rosel,” “Fann,” “Recreation,” “Center,” “Teen,” or “Club,” and their recordings are compiled into a hilarious music video. Not only does this leave a lasting impression on the kids, but it also proves to be a lasting memory for Liz, Gary, and Katie. By the end of the day, every child-even among the shy and quiet-has been able to share something with somebody.
Amidst Liz’s parting was the statement, “You’re not here for us; we’re here for you.”