A ‘GLOW’ing Day for Titans as They ‘Tie Together’ Education, Future Goals With Help of Community Leaders

From these community leaders, the young men learned how to show gentleman-like ways

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA– On Friday, at Odyssey Charter Jr/Sr High School, students in grades 7-12 were excited to have a chance to learn “adulting skills” like manners, positive communication, goal setting, and grit, as well as how to apply their rigorous course work in middle and high school, to prepare them for college acceptance and entry into productive careers.

The young men spent the morning learning how to tie and wear a tie (for many their first one) with the help of community volunteers, including law enforcement officers, military service members, doctors, lawyers, and dads.

From these community leaders, the young men learned how to show gentleman-like ways, take pride in themselves and their work, and how to make a commitment to give back in positive ways to the community.

The Tied Together project was started more than in 2014 by Glen Outlaw when he saw a need for more men to present a positive role model to the next generation. The program now has more than 300 volunteers.

The premise is simple, he says, “Teach the small things a man would teach his son.” Since they began, the program has taught over 16,000 young men to tie their own tie, shake hands, and most importantly, “stand tall as an individual.”

Vice President of Tied Together, Conrado Martinez, also a parent of Odyssey students and a member of the Odyssey Board of Directors, worked hard to help make way for Odyssey to be the first charter school in Brevard to have this special opportunity.

One volunteer and leader of Florida Scouts, Chandler Langevin, said that the Titan young men were very attentive and he was so impressed with them.
While the young men were engaged with the Tied Together event, the young ladies had an amazing opportunity led by Junior Achievement President, Anne Conroy-Baiter, to participate in the Space Coast’s GLOW program, which stands for “Get It. Learn it. Own it. Want it.”

During the presentation, several established female engineers from Northrop Grumman spoke about their paths to success in the field of STEAM discussing both the types of careers out there for young woman, as well as how to stay motivated in their schooling, balance their lives with things they love (like the arts and athletics), and how not to worry when they have to “pivot” during their future path, like a change their college major.

One of the presenters explained that it was important to pick a career in a field that you love, not to worry if you have to try a few things out before you find the perfect fit.

Another responded to a student question about how to not get overwhelmed at school or work by sharing that the young women needed to find outlets like music and athletics to balance their lives, as well as find family and friend groups that can support them.

At the close, some of the Odyssey Titans were proud to share the many special components of Odyssey Charter Jr/Sr High School, like the engineering, computer programming, digital art and design, fine and performing arts, and agricultural farm programs to the visitors before they left.

One of the presenters said that she was amazed at all of the special opportunities the school offered to young students in the area of STEAM and college-preparedness, many she wished she would have had in middle and high school.

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