“As a ‘Wise Guys’ instructor, I will be teaching at Wilkes Central High School weekly. Some of the lessons covered by “Wise Guys” are masculinity and gender roles, dealing with stress, fatherhood, interactions with sexes, sexually transmitted diseases and puberty. The class focuses on teaching about the changes these young men are facing and addressing the responsibilities that they will encounter in their future. The “Wise Guys” program is in accordance to the Healthy Youth Act and is taught to male freshmen. Shannon recently joined Communities In Schools wearing two hats, “Wise Guys” instructor at Wilkes Central High School and site coordinator at Central Wilkes Middle School. I would not be at Communities In Schools if it was not for where I began,” he says. “If it were not for Wilkes Community College there would be no Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Human Services from Gardner-Webb University. GWU’s GOAL program allowed Shannon to take his classes online and on the campus of Wilkes Community College.

Greater Opportunities for Adult Learners (GOAL) provides opportunities for students to continue their studies culminating in a baccalaureate degree. Shannon graduated from Wilkes Community College in 2010 with an Associate in Arts degree and transferred to Gardner-Webb University through the GOAL program.

And, he credits Wilkes Community College for being a springboard on his road to success. Shannon Smith is on a new journey in Wilkes County with a new sense of purpose, equipped with knowledge for success, as he begins a career with Communities In Schools.

Seers of light by jennifer delucy