Costanoa High School

1840 North Branciforte Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Principal, Curt Coleman / Facilitator, Willie Stokes

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MR. WILLIE STOKES: BRINGING A POSITIVE POINT OF VIEW TO CHS STUDENTS

(article & picture by Natalie Satana)

After living a tough life, Willie Stokes found himself waking up in an eight foot by ten foot cement prison cell saying to himself, "Is this what I'm willing to throw my life away for? Is this really worth it? I can't be myself around all this. I feel like scum." These sentences are quotes from his inspiring book, The Testimony of a Black Sheep. In the book, he explains the lifestyle he lived, the consequences he suffered, and the ones he still suffers from today. He explains what it was like to live in the streets in north Salinas, his hometown. He explains jail and gang life from an insider's point of view.

As a student, I have had the pleasure of being in Willie's "180 Degree" class that he is teaching at Costanoa in Genene Oviatt's classroom. The class is about, "Enhancing lives one degree at a time." It teaches you how to reflect, know your values, and so much more. I feel that the class will help me make better decisions that will help me in the long run, not only because the class teaches me how to think, but because I am also learning it through Willie. To see him teach the class tells me that no matter how bad you messed up, you can always turn it around. "I couldn't just drop out and not warn the kids, so this is my way of letting them know," said Willie.

The message Willie wants youth to know is, "Always push yourself; the most that's expected of you is your education. Most kids sell themselves short. Don't just settle for the bare minimum, and, most importantly, stay off drugs and out of gangs." Willie is trying to get through to the youth by showing us what it's really like and what the future for us will be like if we don't take school seriously or if we just settle for less.
I want to thank you, Willie, for what you have brought to Costanoa High School. You are showing me how to change and do it the right way and not take the wrong path. Since I started the class, I have made so many more positive decisions that I normally wouldn't have made at this time last year. You are keeping me focused on earning my credit and getting my education, so, thank you!