IN-SCHOOL
leadership team
The Leadership Team requires a well-trained and committed group of young people serving as peer presenters - challenging teens to make healthy choices through skits, panel discussions and dramatic performances. By sharing their personal choices and experiences, they encourage their peers to join the growing movement to avoid risky behaviors. This amazing group of young people is often requested to conduct assemblies, retreats and youth conferences!
LEADERSHIP TEAM SUCCESS IN SEQUENCE VIDEO PROJECT
“This project was more than just making a video—it was about spreading a message that can actually change lives. I’ve seen people and even friends struggle because they didn’t have a plan, and I don’t want that for myself or my friends. The success sequence gives us a roadmap, and I’m glad we had the chance to share it in a creative way.” — [High School Student]
“I never thought about life in steps before, but the success sequence makes sense. It was good to hear that It’s not about being perfect, but about making good choices at the right time. I feel more confident about my future now that I have a plan to follow.”
“The success sequence really opened my eyes to how important education, employment, and not having a kid is for my future. I used to think success was just about working hard, but now I understand that making good choices—like finishing school, getting a good job, and waiting until I’m ready for a family—can make a big difference. I am glad we got to do this class. It m’s different and helps to know — 9th grade students
“Who would have ever known starting in the Excel programs as a summer camper, being a part of GEMS, EYE Club and ultimately the Leadership Team would help prepare me for this leg in my journey?
For this and many more reasons, I am beyond grateful for my Choosing to Excel family! We were ALWAYS challenged to “Keep the End In Mind”
Gems
Girls Eagerly Maintaining High Standards
Girls Eagerly Maintaining High Standards (GEMS) is a weekly lunch club that encourages our young ladies to have confidence in who they are and live their life from a place of dignity. Teenage girls are pressured from every direction you can imagine, often creating unhealthy habits and skewed perspectives of themselves. Through field trips, weekend workshops, speakers, and celebratory ceremonies, our goal is to reinforce positivity and confidence while encouraging young women as they walk through their teenage years!
“I now know more about my standards to set when going on a date. I know what rules I have and what I’ll do and what I won’t do.”
MOCQ
Men of Character and Quality
We know that our leaders of tomorrow are sitting in classrooms today. Our heart is to provide our middle school and junior high men with mentors who will invest wisdom and zeal into their lives. A lot of our male teens come from a variety of backgrounds like foster care, two-parent, single-parent, or broken homes. MOCQ bridges the gap for young men by providing mentors, developing healthy relationships, and discussing real-life issues.
“In MOCQ I learned to be a generous man and not to treat women bad, and how to be a man really.”
Eye Club
Excel Youth Exceeding
E.Y.E. Club is an organization that brings the GEMS and MOCQ students together. From 10th grade to graduation, students experience a supportive environment in which they can discuss and explore real issues. The discussions are centered around building confidence, healthy relationships, college or “next step” readiness, the success sequence, communication skills, and empowering themselves to be ready for the real world.
We believe in being real and keeping it real to get real results.
“I’m so honored that these kids come EVERY Thursday because they WANT to. It blows me away!”
Oh! Baby
A Hands-On Experience
This program is exactly how it sounds! Our goal is to encourage our teens (7th-12th grade) to think things over and to see the enormous responsibility of teen parenting. Students participate in this program through their school health classes. Students take home an infant simulator for 1-2 nights to get a taste for what parenting is all about. They also have the option to write a 10 page research paper.
Student’s grades are determined by the quality of care they gave to the stimulator or how well they research the assigned topic.
“Even though the baby stressed me out all night, this experience showed me that I’m not ready to have a child. It shows what struggles you would face, at this age, with a child.”
Mentoring
mentoring for grades 5–12
Have you had someone make a difference in your life? Most of us have had mentors and encouragers, pushing us to reach higher. We want to be this for our teens! Through mentoring, our goal is to be a strong support system for students, believing in them and verbalizing the gold in their life. Our mentors are trained, equipped, and required to go through a background test before they begin working with our teens. Students who go through this program see significant positive differences in attitude, school attendance, grades, and behavioral issues.
Men-tor
men taking our responsibility
100 Men Campaign
CHARACTER EDUCATION
for grades 8–12
Choosing to Excel has dedicated over 30 years to helping shape history through promoting strong character. Choosing to Excel's character education programs collaborate with local elementary schools to teach students about essential life skills and values that go beyond the blackboard.
In-Class PRESENTATIONS
for grades 8–12
We strive to bring a well-balanced experience to each classroom. Focusing on character building, optimal health and risk avoidance; we have planted seeds of positive impact in communities all across the great state of Arkansas and beyond.
“I love meeting with my Mentor Cassie, she has become one of my best friends. Since we’ve been meeting, our relationship has gotten deeper and I feel more connected with her. She has helped me with improving my grades and I’m feeling so much better about myself. I hope she never leaves.”
“Even if our circumstances aren’t ideal, we all need a little arrow to show us if we’re hitting our target or not.””
“I love it because not only am I helping someone else, but I have been blessed as well. I have learned how to be a better person, father and friend.”
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