StrengthBank® Mentored Kids Say...

(directed to upcoming Sophomores from graduating Seniors)

. . . that you should actually take it seriously. If you're like me when someone gets up and talks, especially since it is not for a grade, you tend to zone out and not pay attention so well. I can tell you that I did this to our StrengthBank® talk group mentor for too long before I realized that what she was saying was actually useful, and makes good sense. Learn about what she has to say, and it will be fun anyways. She (the StrenthBank® Mentor) only wants you to be more successful so give the mentor a chance to. Good luck with your first year in high school and have fun.- Nick (Class of 2004, Trinity High School, 2003-2004 "Trojan Talk" Groups)

…first off you will actually love your Trojan Talk. It is fun and everyone opens up to talk and is not intimidated by anyone. If you are not sure what you want to do with yourself when you graduate, you will be the end of this year. Most importantly, you will find out so much about yourself

- Jennifer (Class of 2004, Trinity High School, 2003-2004 "Trojan Talk" Groups)

. . . don’t worry it will be fun. In this Trojan Talk class you will be working on using your strengths, and even your weaknesses to make any volatile situation something that is diffusible. Remember to make a network of friends because you will need them sometime in high school; trust me, I needed mine multiple times every year. Best of luck, you might need, but don’t let that sound too ominous, you’ll do fine.

- Quinn (Class of 2004, Trinity High School, 2003-2004 "Trojan Talk" Groups)

I would like to advise you guys to learn [as] much as you can from the StrengthBank® project. I wish I could have started when I was a sophomore. When I was a sophomore, I don’t even think we had a mentor and [as a] junior it didn’t even seem like our mentor even cared. Even though [our StrengthBan®] mentor is the best mentor ever, I didn’t quite accept her at first due to our past mentors. I thought I would rather just have a study hall but am glad that I couldn’t now. It didn’t take me long to notice that this Trojan Talk was something different. So before I go, remember to open up your hearts and minds and you will truly learn a lot about yourself.

- Tabytha (Class of 2004, Trinity High School, 2003-2004 "Trojan Talk" Groups)

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FROM WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT STRENGTHBANK® AND THE ANIMALS DURING OUR TALK GROUPS, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY . . .

This class is fun, and I always looked forward to Thursdays because we got to do this.

- Student (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

It was fun, and it was interesting.

- Student (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

I had a good time.

- Student (Class of 2006, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

This class is great ‘cause you hardly ever make a bad grade.

- Student (Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

I really liked Ms. Shelton; she’s great . . . she is really funny too. And I love how [alive] she is and also sweet. I will never forget any of them (Mrs. Payne nor Mrs. Rector; they are all really great). They have taught us a lot about ourselves.

- Student (Class of 2006, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

I really liked this class. Teachers were really nice and funny. I had a good time. I can say that I looked forward to this. I’m definitely going to miss this. I felt really at home, and I met some people in the process. Thank you, Ms. Shelton, for brightening my day, Mrs. Payne for being patient, and Mrs. Rector for beings so sweet. Love ya’ll.

- Marcella (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

Listen to what these women have to say because they have helped me better understand myself and what I want to become after high school, and they will help you too.

- Student (Class of 2006, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

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. . . that you might not like it at first, or thinks its kinda "little kiddish," but once you get into it, it’s fun and you learn lots of stuff about you.

- Student (Class of 2007, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

This group really helps you learn about yourself and others. You can become a better person after all that you’ll learn here.

- Student (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

You learn what your weaknesses are and what your personality is. I liked!

- Student (Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

This group was really fun and worthwhile. It helped [me] realize my strengths and what things are suited for them.

- Student (Class of 2006, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

. . . that the StrengthBank® really helps you learn more about yourself and really does help you in the long run.

- Student (Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

Thank you so much for spending your time with our class. I have learned a lot about what opportunities I have in the world.

- Brandi (Class of 2007, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

You’ll have fun by learning what [you’re] good at and what you should, or want to, be when you grow up.

- Student (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

This was a very awesome time in this class! You learn a lot about who you are as a person and who you wanna be when [you’re] older! Don’t be afraid to be yourself around anyone! You’ll feel very [welcome] . . . promise!

- Student (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

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Pick a dream you love, stick with it, and never lose hope!

- Student (Class of 2008, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

. . . that this really was a fun class, especially with StrengthBank®. I made new friends and learned a lot. This really was awesome. Follow your dreams! HAVE FUN!!

- Student (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

. . . that ya’ll helped me to realize my strengths in what I want to do when I get older. Ya’ll also helped me to see the different personalities and realize that it’s very good to try and have a little of all animals.

- Student (Class of 2006, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

Other kids should pay attention to this class ‘cuz they could learn a lot and know what to do and how to work with people in the future.

- Maria (Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

I had a lot of fun in this class; it helped me know the real me and how I need to try to clean up my personality. At first I didn’t like it, but then I did, and I would like to thank Mrs. Bankston for helping me through my shyness (but sometimes I still am), but this helped me to like talking to a lot of people at once.

- Student (Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

Um . . . If you pay attention to this class, you will learn something about yourself. This class helped me learn more about me, and what I want to do when I leave high school. It also helps you learn more about your classmates and how to talk with other people that are hard to get along with, so you should take this lesson and learn from it. I promise you that this will help you in the real world.

- Student (Class of 2006, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

You will have a lot of fun and experience in this class. You will have an opportunity to learn how to get along with other people and how to make yourself feel better about yourself.

- Student (Class of 2008, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

I really had a lot of fun during this group. We got to eats lots of things. You will be learning about StrengthBank®. You will also learn about different animals and their strengths and find out what #1,2,3,4 animals you are.

- Student (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

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It was fun in this class; you learn what your personality is like and what animal you are most like.

- Student (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

What I learned in the talk group that I would never even [have] thought before was that 4 different animal groups and how all the students in my class fit into those groups. I learned that I was a "chimp" and that makes so much sense to me ‘cause of what you thought . . . and how we learn to work with the other people in the different groups. And also, it made us think what we want for our futures, for now anyway . . .

- Jennifer (Class of 2008, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

This helped me learn my attitude and how much my #1 animal really is a mustang. I never would have known I was or acted like a mustang. You learn about other people and what they would like to be when they are older or in their future. This group is helpful and determines you to wanna learn more. I now know an idea of what I would really love to be when I’m older.

- Chelcie (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

I’ve learned a lot about that I’m a "mustang"; and, the ladies were awesome! Thank you so much.

- Krissy (Class of 2007, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

I experienced people coming into my class and teaching. Now, you can go into [animals] "gone bad land" and "good land". I was a number 1 Chimpanzee, which means I am people-oriented.

- Student (Class of 2008, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

I had a lot of fun, and I learned a lot about character and about my classmates. I met new people and had fun every Thursday in Coach Bankston’s class. I have knowledge of how it takes a lot of cooperation of different personalities to come to center and have an effectiveness.

- Student (Class of 2007, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

It was helpful in that I know how to understand where others are coming from and how to relate what kind of people I need around me to reach my full potential.

- Student (Class of 2007, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

You will have a lot of fun and a lot of experience on learning the different kinds of attitudes and personalities, and how to get along better with those people.

- Student (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

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I enjoyed learning about myself and others in this class. In teen leadership, you will learn to communicate well with others and work hard to achieve your life goals.

- Student (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

It was awesome. I learned a lot about my peers.

- Student (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

I learned a lot about my peers.

- Student (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

It’s cool. It brought us together as a class.

- Student (Class of 2006, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

I enjoyed StrengthBank® coming. It brought our class together and taught us a lot about ourselves.

- Student (Class of 2006, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

This was a good class for me to be in. Everything we have learned will be helpful during my life. I always appreciated all the FOOD! LOL but who didn’t? And, all the teachers are amazing.

- Amanda (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

You will have so much fun and experience TONS of stuff! - many opportunities to do things and express yourself!!! The food is awesome!!!

- Kristyn (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

It was fun to have ya’ll here. I learned a whole lot from all the things you taught the class. I learned some really good lessons and ate the really good food ya’ll brought. Thank you, come back soon!

- Hannah (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

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StrengthBank® is pretty fun. You get free food and actually learn some stuff. The people are pretty cool too. Treat them good and with respect and have fun.

- Jamera (Class of 2007, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

You get pizza at the end, and you get snacks and stuff.

- James (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

Enjoy the class and the food, and you’ll learn lots and lots.

- "Dezzy" (Class of 2006, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

This class was very fun. It helped [me] learn a lot of stuff and look at life in a way I would never [have] thought of. I also loved eating the food.

- Student (Class of 2006, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

I enjoyed the pizza. I learned a lot about my classmates.

- Liz (Class of 2009, Burleson High School, Fall 2005 Talk Groups)

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WHAT I HOPE WE TALK MORE ABOUT NEXT YEAR IS . . .

I think we did well talking about things this year.

- Student (Trinity High School, 2003-2004 "Trojan Talk" Groups)

Anything.

- Student (Trinity High School, 2003-2004 "Trojan Talk" Groups)

I believe everything is al kool!

- Student (Trinity High School, 2003-2004 "Trojan Talk" Groups)

Everything we did this year.

- Student (Trinity High School, 2003-2004 "Trojan Talk" Groups)

I think I like everything about this year. You should not change it.

- Student (Trinity High School, 2003-2004 "Trojan Talk" Groups)

I think that we learned a lot this year, and I guess we should try to expand more (other activities).

- Student (Trinity High School, 2003-2004 "Trojan Talk" Groups)

Animals [used for personality styles and how to keep a sense of humor]

- Student (Trinity High School, 2003-2004 "Trojan Talk" Groups)

I like the animals! It’s fun to learn what animal you’re most like.

- Student (Trinity High School, 2003-2004 "Trojan Talk" Groups)

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The animals and how their (our) weaknesses can become stronger.

- Student (Trinity High School, 2003-2004 "Trojan Talk" Groups)

How to deal with people of different animals - conflicts.

- Student (Trinity High School, 2003-2004 "Trojan Talk" Groups)