Delaney Connell

Ninth grader Christian Sanford speaks with counselor Aria Choi. The LabSTART presentations, run by counselors including Ms. Choi, encourages students to be present throughout their time in high school.

Story, transcript, activities, relationships and talents: the five defining characteristics of a high school journey, according to learning coordinator Heavenly Hicks and college counselor Sharon Williams. Ms. Williams noticed at Lab and at past schools that students were not being present in their lives during high school, so she and her learning and counseling colleagues created the LabSTART presentation to encourage students to be present throughout their time in high school.

Ms. Hicks said, “What we felt was a concern that students were thinking about the college they wanted to go to but not all of the pieces that it takes to get there, the main one being a whole human and one that enjoys high school.”

 As part of the LabSTART programming, a mandatory ninth grade assembly took place on Sept. 17 in Gordon Parks Assembly Hall. A follow-up assembly for parents was held virtually Sept. 24. 

Counselor Aria Choi also contributed to this year’s assembly. Ms. Choi said LabSTART allows students to find new ways to talk about high school. She said she has received a positive response to the program in the past three years.

Ms. Hicks emphasized the importance of looking beyond grades in high school.

“It’s not just all about transcripts, but it’s also about the relationships you build,” Ms. Hicks said.

Ninth grader Lauren Wilson said the presentation made her realize that experiences in high school are very individualized.

Lauren said, “[The assembly] changed my perspective about how different people as well as myself think about high school.”