Grades 9-12  •  Jersey City, New Jersey

With a student population composed primarily of minority students, Lincoln High School teaches its young men how to overcome the obstacles of negative attitudes and lowered academic expectations should they encounter them. Through weekly supportive meetings, the Young Gents program provides an opportunity for male students to discuss their concerns and feelings regarding their academic and personal lives. Two adult minority male leaders serve as the club's advisors. They model the attitudes and behaviors necessary to become successful in school and the world. A small group of adults also volunteer their time as educational advocates. The club uses peer mediation to illustrate that students are accountable for their actions and thus are the ones in control of their future. The Young Gents club initiated a "V-free ambassador program" to reduce violence, vandalism, and victimization. Club members serve as peer educators by presenting talks to eighth-grade students in Lincoln's feeder schools on topics such as bullying, gangs, and tolerance. Young Gents has been so successful in meeting its goal of empowering its members that all of the seniors enrolled in the program in the 2004-05 school year were accepted into four-year academic colleges.