Before closing the book on 2011 and leaving for winter break, the McCormick Foundation team serving at Manley Career Academy High School made sure to honor the students who were “in the green” for grades and attendance with an exclusive V.I.P. lounge. The City Year team joined forces with the Manley administration to emphasize the ‘Go for Green’ initiative, which rewards students who pass all their classes and have perfect (to near-perfect) attendance.

To make the V.I.P. lounge feel extra special for the students who earned it, the team decided to run with a Hollywood theme. The team made the event more exclusive by escorting students into the V.I.P. lounge. It was decorated with a red carpet, stars and a huge backdrop of the infamous Hollywood sign in the hills. Some of the corps members also acted as the paparazzi and furiously snapped photos and bombarded the students as soon as they entered the room. Students posed with sunglasses and seemed to love the attention they rightfully deserved for all their hard work.

The students were also given a chance to reflect on why they were invited to the event by filling out sheets that read, “I am a V.I.P. because…” Students came up with creative, meaningful and funny messages like “I am a V.I.P. because I am the best thing since Bill Gates” while others said, “I am a V.I.P. because I worked hard to be here.” It was encouraging and reaffirming for the team to see their event positively impact the students who worked diligently to earn it. They can’t wait for all the other V.I.P. lounges for the remainder of the year. In fact, here’s a sneak peek into the next V.I.P. theme: Aladdin!