In Their Own Words.

Stormie Sellman: Why Communities In Schools Is Important to Me

Twenty-year-old Stormie Sellman is a college student working on her degree in education. While completing her degree she is working part time as a youth counselor with the YMCA at Travis Elementary. The currently outgoing, outspoken and always smiling person Stormie is now is very different from the shy, soft-spoken 5th grader who enrolled in an after school program managed by Communities In Schools Baytown.

“At times things can be difficult being raised by a single mother and not having much money. In the 5th grade I enrolled in a new school and also their after school program,” said Sellman. “The program was managed by Communities In Schools Baytown (CIS) staff and that was my first introduction to CIS. At the time I did not know the impact being involved in the after school program would have on my life.”

“Being involved in the CIS program exposed me to things and experiences that growing up in a single parent household I would have missed. The CIS staff helped to bring me out of my shell and become a very outgoing person. Because of the variety of activities I was able to make friends with other children from different schools,” added Sellman. “Having the ability to make new friends made it easier for me to move from elementary to Jr. High and on to High School.”

Sellman adds, “One special memory I will always have happened when I was a 5th grade student. Mr. Mike Wilson, who was the CIS Program Coordinator at the time, told me if I keep my grades up and kept my attitude positive, he would offer me a job with CIS when I would be old enough to work. So when I turned 16, I went back to Mr. Wilson to take him up on his offer. Mr. Wilson kept his word and hired me to work in an elementary after school program.”

“That is the great thing about CIS, once you are a part of the program you are always a part of the program,” said Sellman. “I knew I wanted to give back to other young kids, just the way others have done for me. With that mind set I continue to work with young kids today and I am on my way to becoming a teacher.”