Life of a Fellow: Solana Reyes
Everything we do at 12 Plus starts with one thing: build a relationship.
The advice we offer, the resources we bring, and the support we give are all rooted in understanding who are students are as people first. Only from there are we able to tailor our guidance to each student’s interest and needs!
Meet Solana
Solana attended Rowan University where she earned her Master's in Higher Education.
Her hobbies are cooking/baking, traveling, scrapbooking and rug tufting. She’s also an assistant girls basketball coach at her alma mater.
Fellows Advice: Relationship Building In A New Environment
When I told people about starting my new job in Kensington, they immediately thought of every single negative aspect of the community. They asked me questions like: What’s it like working in a city high school versus working in a suburban high school? Are you nervous about the actual advising part of the job? I often answered, “no, not so much, but I'm definitely nervous about connecting with the students.” I knew that the first step in adjusting to my new environment was to build relationships.
The easiest way for me to connect with the students was to ask them about their likes and dislikes such as sports, food, college, etc. From there, I started to shift the conversation to discussing the next steps of their future. Once our students became comfortable, the advising became easier, which helped us find the best fit for our students after graduating. Building those relationships made me enjoy coming to work. I wasn’t happy at my other jobs because I knew that I had no impact on anyone. Now, I wake up every morning knowing that my advice and the work I do at KHS is meaningful. The students I have advised throughout my journey have had a great impact on me, just as much as I have had on them.
It’s the little things that my students do to make me enjoy my job. I love the questions they ask on a daily basis. I get asked the same questions every morning, “Uhmm did you eat this morning, Miss Ma’am? or “Ms. Solana, what’s it like to be an adult?” Every answer I give them always leads to more conversations, which helps me figure out how to best help the students. Getting to know each and every one of these students makes me realize that the area doesn’t reflect on how great these kids are.
Meet some of our students:
Amirah VanBuren (Pennco Tech for Welding)
Q: How has 12 Plus impacted you your senior year?
A: “At first, I was only coming up to 12 Plus to have a chill place to go to for my lunch. Once I started getting to know them, I figured out they were actually cool people; from there they helped me throughout my whole senior year. Even though I knew where I wanted to pursue a career in welding, they made sure to always include me in every info session and workshop to learn about other opportunities. Being in the center every day earned me a position as a 12 Plus Ambassador. This opportunity helped me come out of my shell when talking to new people. I appreciate 12 Plus for helping me grow within myself.
Kayanny Johnson (Pennco Tech for Medical Assistant)
Q: What was your first impression of 12 Plus? Has your impression changed?
A: “My first impression of 12 Plus was they would be boring. Ms. Solana asked me to take a picture for the senior wall. I didn’t want to do it the first time and she told me she would find me every day to take the picture. I knew I was going to like her because she was not playing about her wall. I wasn't planning on coming here everyday but now I am glad I did. Ms. Solana has been such a light for me throughout my senior year. Not only did she advocate for me but she listened to me when I just needed to vent. I will always cherish the memory of Ms.Solana helping me everyday with my senior project. I learned new things in 12 Plus that I didn’t think I would find out until later in life. The entire team has left a mark on all of us during our senior year. They make coming to school easy because they are good people who want the best for us. So yes, my impression has changed from August to now. I am thankful to have people like them in my last year of school.”
Nasir Young Bullock (Orleans Tech: Electrician)
Q: How has 12 Plus impacted you your senior year?
A: “Without 12 Plus, I wouldn't have applied to any colleges or even understood what I needed to do to prepare for life after graduation. They helped me get out of my comfort zone and helped me build confidence. Through their workshops, I was able to learn soft skills that will help me in my future. Talking with my 12 Plus team members helped me learn how to talk to adults versus talking with my peers. My favorite memory about 12 Plus was when they asked me to be a 12 Plus Ambassador. With this opportunity, I was able to show my leadership skills within my senior class and also for 12 Plus. They gave me a reason to come to school every day and make my senior year a great one!”
Throughout my Fellow's journey, I realized that relationship building requires active listening, consistency, and cultural awareness. It also requires creating a safe and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable expressing concerns, asking questions, and exploring their dreams without fear of judgment. I always tell my students, “ No Judgment, speak freely.” They want to feel that they can trust you when talking about their future. Each student is different; no conversation would be the same. They all bring different challenges and strengths to every conversation where we end up both learning something new. Being able to help them understand what life can be like after high school has been a highlight in this journey. Ending the year feels surreal because it feels like the school year just started. The students at KHS are such a great group of students with a bright future ahead of them.
