Determined student, dedicated educators work together to turn a life around

New Directions Alternative School Counselor Karre Jones and Safety and Security Officer Joe Bagnerise are heroes. Their efforts on behalf of student John Mauk, landed the three, along with Principal Robert Eichorn, at the White House on the day after Christmas for a personal tour that included the Oval Office.

It began when Bagnerise recognized the former student panhandling in Woodbridge just before Thanksgiving. He reached out to help and discovered that John, who had dropped out, was now homeless.

Bagnerise connected with Principal Eichorn to quickly offer John clothes, food, supplies, a Thanksgiving Lunch, a safe place to stay and, most importantly, the means to return to school.

Next, Counselor Jones created a revised academic plan allowing John to work toward graduation requirements. The newly reminted student returned to New Directions the Monday after Thanksgiving and resumed a steady march toward graduation this June. He now attends school daily and refuses to let anything stand in his way.

An anonymous Prince William community member who’s a White House staffer saw this uplifting story as a perfect example of how educators come together to change lives one student at a time. He arranged the visit to the executive mansion to reward the hard work already underway, and symbolize the unlimited promise in John’s future.

For his part, John says, “Being homeless has helped me realize the importance of relationships. Things come and go…people are what are important. I am not going to let those that helped me down. I thank them every day through my actions and my success.”

John’s budding success is a tribute to Jones, Bagnerise, and a New Directions team that does not let holidays or anything else prevent them from giving students hope and help. Mixed with John’s powerful perseverance to succeed against all odds, the staff’s ongoing holiday gift of support, learning, and love will keep giving for a lifetime of rewards.

John’s story has brought new awareness among students and staff at New Directions and they are looking for solutions like food and clothing drives for the homeless in our community, Eichorn said.