Rising Juniors and Seniors Report Fun Year in Guilford

I had the most fun sophomore year spending time with the girls here at the GABC house. Our personalities work well together – we’ve bonded!” says Lakeesha with a big smile. She’ll be a junior at Guilford High School in the fall of 2026 and reflected on her first year with GABC.

“My first year I was just getting integrated into the community and I’m comfortable now. My host family has been taking me places, and I feel more confident in myself and my abilities. I have a feeling about what’s right for me, making my own decisions.” She is spending the summer at a forensics course at the University of New Haven, learning about criminal psychology; and camping at the Ron Burton Training Village in Massachusetts.

Irene confirmed she had a fun junior year as well. “I tried new things and put myself out there – trying difficult classes, such as International Baccalaureate (I.B.), and I was very happy with my choices, even though the coursework was challenging.” This summer she’s studying in Rome on a month-long Italian language and culture course with C.I.E.E. Irene is interested in a career in nursing. She recalled seeing nurses when she went for checkups as a child and their work inspired her.

Katie will be a junior in fall 2026. She loved “hanging out with the girls and visiting with kids from other ABC houses at a party. I also love going to Jacobs Beach and playing volleyball.” This summer she’s traveling back to Ecuador to visit family there for two weeks. “They live in a small town in the mountains.” Then she travels to Spain for a month to study language and culture also with C.I.E.E.

“Jazzy” (Jazhira), a rising senior, exclaimed: “The prom was the best fun!” She is also studying forensics at the University of New Haven this summer.

“I’m learning about fingerprints, detective work, and evidence such as hair and teeth.” She’s looking forward to college visits in the fall.

Chatting at the Year-End Celebration, her parents Steve Douglas and Twinetta McCollough expressed their delight in their daughter.

“We’re so proud of Jazzy. Now we have conversations with her – it’s mind-blowing! She was quiet as a freshman. She’s very responsible, more involved in activities such as theater and sports.”