'Comeback' kids' success inspired by peers, teachers
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By James Quatromoni Hull High Athletic Director/Community Outreach Coordinator
So often, star athletes and honor roll students are recognized for their considerable achievements. This recognition is a validation of a commitment to both academics and athletics. It takes great time and effort to excel in either field. Our community is clearly one that steps forward and recognizes the achievements of our young people.
In this week’s article, I want to recognize the successes of two student-athletes at Hull High School. Neither has taken the conventional road to success. Instead, each spent the early parts of their high school careers battling issues with motivation and academic focus. The efforts of their teachers, coaches, and counselors have helped guide these two young people toward the right track.
I want to recognize the decision that both Corey Charubini and Najwa Fares have made. They have decided to face their issues and demand excellence and achievement of themselves. Today, they face challenges using the tools of motivation, effort, and perseverance. Corey and Najwa are two great “comeback” stories from the halls of Hull High School.
Corey Charubini is a senior at Hull High. As a freshman, he simply was not focused on academics.
“I just did not do anything,” he said. Basketball was one of the few things that Corey was able to focus on, but he came out of the first term academically ineligible to participate in athletics. Having lost the privilege to participate based on poor grades, Corey lost any remaining academic motivation. “I felt hopeless, I just didn’t care,” he said.
Two important things in Corey’s life helped him change his approach and refocus his energy. The first was basketball. During the beginning of his sophomore year, Corey worked hard to be eligible for the season.
“After my sophomore year, I was determined I would not be ineligible again,” he said. “I wanted to play, so I had to do my school work.”
Corey spent that season with junior varsity boys basketball coach Don Edwards, a man committed to skill development. The two spent hours helping Corey improve his game, and reinforcing the importance of hard work in the young man’s life.
The other factor that influenced Corey’s change was his brother Rob. Robert Charubini is a 2006 Hull High graduate who is serving our country in Iraq as a proud member of the United States Marine Corps.
“My brother challenged me to be eligible to play basketball,” Corey said “He told me that I could not do it. I wanted to prove him wrong.” Rob’s words pushed at Corey. “When Rob left for Iraq, it really made me think. I just wanted to make him proud.”
Corey also credits the influence of his teachers in helping him expect more of himself academically. Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Fuller, and Mr. Cunningham were particularly important to him. “No one gave up on me,” Corey marveled, in considering his journey.
This year, Corey is an honor roll student. He is also a member of the varsity boys’ basketball team. He has learned to prioritize and plan his time. He has navigated the often difficult process of making a change in himself. He faced the issues, asked for help, and made changes.
“Corey’s personal and academic growth from freshman to senior year should be measured in light years,” guidance counselor Ed Furman said.
As this is being written, Corey is finishing up his final few college applications. “I’m not sure what I want to major in, but I am looking forward to it,” he said. The comeback is just about complete.
Najwa Fares is another great comeback story. A senior, Najwa’s issues with motivation and focus lasted into her junior year. As a freshman, Najwa participated in football cheerleading, a good fit for her gymnastics background. After the season, though, her approach to academics worsened. “I didn’t feel like going to school, so I wouldn’t. I had a negative attitude across the board – to school, to teachers, and to students,” Najwa said.
As both a sophomore and junior, Najwa was ineligible to participate in cheerleading. With poor grades continuing to take away the thing she loved, Najwa’s approach and attendance continued to deteriorate.
The situation came to a boiling point this past summer. Najwa had lost credit for classes based on absences as a junior. She was upset. It was just the type of news that would have derailed her during her first three years at Hull High School – but not this time.
“I never thought about how important high school was,” she said. “ I just decided that I was going to do the work to be eligible.”
As a result of the junior year issues, Najwa was ineligible for football cheerleading as a senior. It was a tough blow made easier by her peers.
“It was the little things that they would say, wishing I was with them. It made me feel good,” she said. Najwa decided to set her sights on basketball cheerleading. She credits Edwards, the TIDES teacher at Hull High, as being helpful in this process. TIDES stands for Teaching Independent Decision Making through Educational Support.
“We had heard over the summer that she might no be coming back to school, and were so happy to have her back,” said Mr. Edwards. “She is so helpful in the TIDES room, always looking to help other students.”
In order to get back on graduation track, Najwa needed to recover credits lost due to her attendance. An internship program was set up for her to tutor students at the Memorial Middle School. It was an opportunity that she completely embraced.
“Najwa Fares should be proud of the impact she has made on several of the students she is currently working with at the Memorial,” said middle school Principal Lynda Feeney.
“I like to explain things,” Najwa said. “I like to take what the teacher says, and figure out ways to explain it to my friends so that they understand.”
Najwa’s high school comeback is almost complete. She is currently a member of the winter cheerleading team, and was even elected captain of Coach Maeve Desmond’s squad. Both her grades and her attendance have improved dramatically. Najwa echoes Corey’s feeling in talking about her teachers at the high school – “They never gave up on me.” Her guidance counselor, Furman, foreshadows the next chapter in Najwa’s life with, “The future holds such great promise for Najwa because of her talents and personal goodness.”
That future holds college plans. “I hope to be a scientist or a chemistry teacher,” she said. “Either way, I really hope to continue cheerleading. It would be cool to cheer the Patriots on to another perfect season.”
Corey and Najwa share a comeback. More importantly, they have learned valuable lessons in looking at themselves – and doing what it takes to make positive changes. Athletics have served them well in providing an important level of motivation. The work required to achieve athletically has translated into the classroom.
In the end, though, each took the guidance provided by staff at Hull High School and made a decision. They each decided to demand the best from themselves. They decided to put their best effort toward their educational experiences.
A wise old coach once said, it is not adversity that defines the man – but instead, how one responds to that adversity. I would like to be the first in our community to rise in applause of Corey Charubini and Najwa Fares – two proud Hull High School student-athletes. |
