WMS formed a group with Detective Zeno that has been teaching middle school boys how to succeed, and to be better than they were last year.
The group was created in order to better students that may not have hope in their future and want to make a better future for themselves. Detective Zeno, a longstanding Woodbridge police officer and creator of this group explained, “I’m inspired by the severe need for mentorship with young men. It gives them direction and discipline. On top of that, I’d like to do more trips, get a girl group, and talk more about life skills, how to be more responsible and respectable. My advice is if you see trouble, leave. Don’t even try to be a witness. Act at school how you would at home in front of your parents/guardians.”
Bryson Nelson, a seventh grader at Woodbridge Middle talked about how the group enables people to be better versions of themselves. He said,“ I like that you can express and let out what you feel. I joined because I wanted to better myself as a person, a student, and be a role model for younger students. I want to add, it’s never too late to change, and this program has done more than prove that to me. It helped me learn from my mistakes, and helped me realize all the bad things I had done before.”
Sincere Lightner, an eighth grader, talked about how the group has helped him. He said, “The group is a good way to understand each other and learn things about the people around me. I get to know how things really work after high school. I’m in this group to not mess up how I did before, and to show myself as a role model and a leader.”
Sixth grader, Kabeer Lewis gave a brief, but direct definition about how the group has helped him out his first year in middle school. “I like that it’s fun. I learn a lot about generally being a better person. I thought it was a good opportunity, especially because it is my first year. The group also helps me stay out of trouble.”
Mr. Sims, an assistant of the group and security guard at WMS described what made him want to participate in this. He said, “I am inspired by middle schoolers, mostly 11-14 year olds doing things that can change your entire life. Sway your decisions accordingly. The group allows them to see a positive male role model, especially people who don’t live with a father figure in the picture. I want to give guidance to those who need it, and teach them about self awareness and how every choice is important, no matter how small it is.”
