The first week at a new school can be challenging. Entering school for the first time after being homeschooled can add extra stress to this defining moment. Fortunately for Fathom, Communities In Schools had her back! Fathom connected with CIS immediately upon starting school, which helped ease the transition and find her footing more quickly in her new environment. “Walking into the school for the first time was overwhelming, but it was also exciting,” recalls Fathom.
On Fathom’s first day at Alger B. Wilkins, she met CIS Specialist Mr. David Nobles, the person who would inspire her to overcome obstacles and grow into the person she is today. Over time, Mr. Nobles helped her not only reach her goals but surpass them. “He’s very good at connecting with his students and instilling confidence in us. He’s great at making you feel like you’re really cool,” Fathom admits with a smile.
One of the things Fathom has overcome is discomfort with public speaking and taking the initiative to connect with her peers. She worked alone when she was homeschooled, so this was a new experience for her. She was very shy and would stay to herself.
Mr. Nobles helped her shine her light and shed that fear. She has connected with her CIS community and feels more comfortable engaging with others. This year, Fathom spoke at a CIS Cumberland event, with over 60 attendees. She was confident, compelling, and was an overall joy to watch. CIS North Carolina President Jill Cox stated, “She did an amazing job, sharing how CIS has empowered her to be herself”.
“One thing that I would want everybody to know about Mr. Nobles is that he is willing to give anybody a chance, no matter their circumstance, no matter what’s going on with them. He will talk to you and encourage you to be your best,” says Fathom.
With Mr. Nobles’ encouragement, Fathom has surpassed her academic goals and has begun to explore future career paths in Computer Science. “I love to code, and love computers. I know about three coding languages. It’s my favorite thing in the world,” she says. After graduation, Fathom plans to enroll at Fayetteville Technical Community College to receive her Associate’s Degree, then transfer to a four-year university to major in Computer Science.
Fathom gives Mr. Nobles’ credit for getting her this far. Without his support, she may not be on the path to graduation. “One thing that I would want everybody to know about Mr. Nobles is that he is willing to give anybody a chance, no matter their circumstances, no matter what’s going on with them. He will talk to you and encourage you to be your best. He’s got your back” says Fathom.