Josh L.

I am an AACPS: Student

My experience in AACPS has truly been shaped by the great teachers and various staff (mentors, clubs and programs) that work so hard to make our county great. The Signature program facilitator at my school, Mr. Elston, has tremendously impacted my personal experiences throughout the four years of high school.

When I first arrived at Annapolis High School I was a bit nervous and didn’t know what to expect. I had many great experiences with my teachers at Annapolis Middle School. My first memory of the Signature program was receiving a white pass that said to meet in the principal’s meeting room. Fifteen students including myself gathered together; as freshman still getting used to the hallways and lunch rush we were a bit excited to be getting out of class and that really sealed the deal. During the first meeting Mr. Elston shared his reason for being at the school and what the Change Engineering Signature Program was meant for. I remember this meeting so well because it was the first meeting in the program that would change my life. Mr. Elston played a very specific motivational speech that I and many of the pilot program members will never forget–It was Eric Thomas [a professional football player]. After the video went off, Mr. Elston challenged us with the question, “What do all of you see as a goal you can strive towards.” The room went quiet he said, “Think about this goal, make sure it’s something you really want to achieve.” I knew my goal;  it was to be an engineer and more specifically a Naval Academy graduate engineer. We all went around the room discussing our dream and how we might reach that dream. Mr. Elston went on to say if you really want your goal to be a reality you’re going to have to make the right decisions and choices to accomplish that dream.  All of us presented our dream and our ambition. Most turned out to be “I want to go to the NBA or NFL” but that was only an opportunity for Mr. Elston to share all the many ways someone could reach that dream without even playing for a team.

Ever since this meeting I have been heavily involved with the Signature program and Change-Engineering program. Mr. Elston has helped me in many different ways to accomplish my dream, like introducing me to congressman and many State Delegates. I truly believe if a student has someone like Mr. Elston in their life the things they can accomplish will be outstanding.