This article was written by Cori Burcham.
Finding your place after high school is no easy task. Even the leaders at the Siegfried Group experienced ups and downs on the road to self-discovery.
Sophia Cressman, coordinator and facilitator of the Siegfried Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) struggled as an intern to find the right position that aligned with her strengths and goals. Today, she is fulfilling a dream to inspire others. She encourages Delaware’s secondary students to believe in their ability, take ownership of their story and pursue their dreams even when it’s challenging.
For some students, that belief shows up through a single moment.
After envisioning his future self as an entrepreneur, junior JayVon Harper from Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington networked with Nat Measley, a Horn Entrepreneurship professor. Harper was inspired by Measley’s SYLP session “Taking the Next Step” to think bigger and take initiative. Harper shared his vision for Dreamers Productions, a multimedia company he’s been developing while in high school.
“I’m an entrepreneur too,” Harper said, an approach that immediately stood out.
Measley was impressed by Harper’s confidence, excitement and the ownership he showed for the brand he’s building. Their conversation quickly became mutually energizing.
For Harper, the moment wasn’t about stepping outside his comfort zone; it was about stepping into it.
“It didn’t feel like stepping outside of my comfort zone; it felt like stepping into who I am,” said Harper. “I’ve been working on my confidence and my ability to communicate my vision, so at that moment, I was prepared. It was more about execution than overcoming a fear.”
The full-day leadership program for Delaware students in grades 8-12 is a collaboration among SYLP, the University of Delaware’s Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship (CEEE), Horn Entrepreneurship, and Junior Achievement of Delaware.
Held at Clayton Hall on UD’s campus, the event featured breakout sessions, a keynote speaker Nicki Joiner and networking with fellow students and guest speakers. Through opportunities like this, students practiced decision-making in real time, while being encouraged to think bigger about their futures and make meaningful choices.
Joiner’s speech emphasized her magic formula, “action, purpose and result.” Drawing from her experience as a recruiter at JPMorgan Chase, she noted that the most successful students out of high school can clearly articulate their experiences on their résumé. Whether they’ve chosen to enroll in college or immediately enter the workforce, the students who convince college admissions officers or job recruiters to trust them first learn to trust themselves.
Olivia Young, a senior from Odessa High School in Townsend and a student panelist, examined what was stopping her from expressing her true self.
During Cressman’s “Crafting Your Bigger Future Story” session students were encouraged to own their story and share it with authenticity. Young realized she doesn’t need to mirror her peers to succeed. Embracing her individuality, she learned to redefine a quality she once viewed negatively as a positive.
“People might think I talk too much, but I think it’s my greatest strength that I like to get to know everyone in a room,” said Young. As a future educator, she said that her ability will help her connect with students.
Jazmin Torres, a senior at Smyrna High School, experienced a similar mindset shift during Horn Entrepreneurship professor Measley’s workshop, which challenged the students to envision and draw their own hero’s journey. Comparing their current obstacles to “slaying dragons,” the workshop asked students to pick one thing that’s holding them back and take one action today to overcome it. This was one of the most impactful lessons for Torres — choosing to confront a problem in the moment.
“It made me realize how easy it is to fix my problems once I start,” said Torres, who shared her personal “dragon” was strengthening communication with her mother, a goal she put into action immediately. “When I got home, I scheduled a therapy session and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders knowing I took a step toward my future,” said Torres.
Putting the core lessons of the day into action, from introducing themselves with confidence or taking meaningful steps towards personal goals, students begin to see themselves differently. Through experiences like SYLP, CEEE helps connect students to opportunities where those moments become possible, building confidence and decision-making skills that help them shape their future.