Students, alumni and volunteers urge board to preserve Gifts program at Middletown High

Current and former students, parents and volunteer leaders urged the Middletown Board of Education on Oct. 14 to keep the Gifts program active at Middletown High School and to preserve its current meeting time and supports.

The program, referred to throughout public comment as “Gifts” and identified by alumni as Girls Empowered for Total Success, drew more than a dozen speakers to the microphone during the board’s public session. Speakers described the program as a “safe place,” a source of mentorship and a contributor to graduation and post‑secondary success.

Talaya (student), who identified herself as a Gifts participant, told the board, “Under Miss White’s leadership, Gifts became more than just a weekly meeting. It became a safe place, a place where we learned accountability, leadership, and power of believing in ourselves.” Several other students described personal changes they attributed to the program, including improved grades, leadership opportunities and emotional support during challenges such as teen pregnancy and personal crises.

Sana Cotton, speaking as a parent, summarized Gifts’ impact with a list of activities and outcomes: “Since its founding in 2009, over 350 girls have participated in the Gifts program. The Gifts program is proud to have a 98 percent graduation success rate.” Cotton also described community service projects, school and community events, and college visits that she said expanded participants’ opportunities.

Alumni who addressed the board said Gifts helped them graduate, apply to college and build adult support networks. Jen Hextall, who said she was “one of the original members” of Gifts, told the board the volunteer leaders “took time out of their day” to support members through school and personal crises.

Volunteer leaders and founders also spoke. Susan Owens (identified in public comment as an organizer working with Cheryl Lynn McCray White and Beverly Lawrence) told the board that more than 40 girls are currently in the program and that staff had turned away “about 10 or 15” applicants because of capacity. Owens said district staff, students and alumni had met recently to clear up “miscommunication” about Gifts’ purpose and to coordinate with schools.

Superintendent Dr. Vasquez Matos and other board members responded during the communications portion of the meeting, saying the program would continue. Dr. Vasquez Matos said the district did not intend to end Gifts but wanted to clarify expectations and ensure the program’s mission and operations were aligned with district practices. She told the board and audience the district and the program’s leaders were working to “make sure that the program is available to the students” and that expectations are clear.

Speakers asked the board to preserve the program’s meeting time and to consider its role in students’ mental and academic support. Several students said changes to meeting length or timing would harm their progress and stability; one student described Gifts meetings as a consistent, therapeutic weekly anchor. Another speaker noted that students sometimes relied on the program for tutoring and to coordinate schoolwork and extracurricular responsibilities.

The board did not take a formal vote on Gifts during the meeting. Board members thanked the speakers and recognized the program’s community value, and Dr. Vasquez Matos said central office staff and program leaders would continue work to ensure clarity on expectations and program longevity.

Ending: Board members and the superintendent said they appreciated the public comments and pledged to keep the program available while the district and volunteer leaders continue to coordinate program expectations and logistics.