ORLANDO – Fiercely independent, Jones High School freshman Damian initially resisted help from teachers and tutors to the point that he would playfully pick up his desk and scoot away when they approached.
Ultimately, the 16-year-old Damian realized that his stubbornness was taking a toll on his grades, and his lack of academic progress was keeping him off the football field as a free safety and field goal kicker.
Slowly but surely, Damian progressed to the point that he embraced the assistance being offered primarily by Latesha Johnson, one of the many City Year AmeriCorps tutors, mentors and professional role models assigned to help students in need.