DES MOINES, Iowa — As the end of the school year approaches, a group of East High School students received special recognition Wednesday for work they've been doing to improve themselves and reach their goals.
The nonprofit FOCUSS recognized seven students in total: Deluck Irakoze, Abdalla Abukour, Ky'Aziah Portwood, Ciimban Ciimban, Landin Johnson, Emerson Jackson and Roi'Heim Sheard.
FOCUSS founder Darnell Lotman said these teens have each faced their own hardships in life and he wants them to help build each other up.
"The future belongs to us," Irakoze recited on stage in front of parents and peers. "Therefore, the future is great, bright and awesome."
With eager and excited eyes, Irakoze and his East classmates waited for their names to be called so they could walk across the stage.
When his name was called, Irakoze received a certificate from FOCUSS and a gift to recognize the work he's put in to be here.
"For my family, being successful on our terms is how I want to live and how I want to bless my family with as well," he said.
FOCUSS took the time to recognize Irakoze and a handful of his peers for the work they've done through the last several months to help themselves succeed in school and outside of the classroom.
"We're in a situation where we're seeing an increase of whether it's violence, whether it's food insecurity, so we're trying to do our part and help the kids build confidence, build leadership skills more than anything so they can make those important decisions and not get caught up in the wrong things," Lotman said.
Ky'Aziah Portwood, a junior, is shy at times but always sharp, ambitious and a natural-born leader. At the event, Portwood read a letter from Mayor Connie Boesen, encouraging the students to keep thriving.
"Life can be full of challenges, some are larger than others," Boesen's letter read.
Portwood understood the assignment.
"It's helping me talk to people in the field I'm looking for, so it's giving me an understanding of what I'm walking into and what I'm going to have to do to get there. So, I think that's helping me prepare for what I have to do," Portwood said.
Preparation, striving and believing in oneself is perhaps the most important lesson of all for these students.
"It's starting to open my eyes on what can happen in the future if I don't stay focused," Irakoze said.
The students are now working on finding summer jobs and internships.
Portwood said she wants to be a marine biologist and is in touch with people in the field. Her classmates are seeking jobs in all different fields, from culinary related work to mechanic work.
FOCUSS already has new students coming on board the program next school year.