Alumni Mentorship Initiative at Floors High School
On October 31, a group of alumni from Floors High School shared valuable career advice and motivational insights with Grade 9 and 11 students. The event was part of a mentorship initiative aimed at guiding young learners toward their future paths.
Shahied Joseph, a former pupil of the school, along with Andre Damons, who graduated in 1995, spoke about their respective careers in journalism and civil engineering. Their discussions were inspired by the popular TEDTalks format, which they named “FloorsTalks.” Joseph explained that the initiative was born out of their own experiences growing up without access to proper career guidance.
“We wanted to empower the current generation by sharing our knowledge,” Joseph said. “We were inspired by TEDTalks and decided to create this platform for our fellow graduates.”
The interaction between the alumni and students was highly engaging, with many pupils showing interest in various fields. Some expressed aspirations in architecture, forensic accounting, and even music, with one student mentioning a desire to become a rapper.
Joseph encouraged other alumni to join the initiative by sharing their career stories. He emphasized that anyone interested in mentoring the students could reach out.
“Florians from all eras are welcome to contact us if they are interested in mentoring these youths,” he added.
In addition to the mentorship talks, the alumni organized a braai (a traditional South African barbecue) to raise funds for purchasing stationery for students in need. This gesture highlighted their commitment to supporting the school community beyond just career guidance.
Andre Damons, another alumnus, shared his vision for the future of the initiative. He stated that they planned to make it an annual event, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the school.
“I am fully committed to this remarkable initiative. As alumni, we have a responsibility to reinvest our knowledge and experience into the school. By doing so, we can empower pupils from the school to make informed career choices early on in their high school journey,” Damons said.
The principal of Floors High School, Roy Fredericks, expressed his delight at seeing former pupils return to contribute to the school’s development. He recalled teaching some of the alumni in the 1990s and was pleased to see them making a positive impact.
“I taught these boys back in the 90s, and it’s really good to see them coming back and wanting to make a difference. I hope that this inspires former pupils to do the same,” Fredericks said.
He also mentioned that another anonymous former scholar had donated stationery for 127 matric students preparing for their final exams. “To say I am happy is an understatement. The Class of ’95 is proof that we have done something right,” he added.
For those interested in joining the FLOORSTalks initiative, Shahied Joseph can be contacted at 071 262 2659, while Andre Damons can be reached at 082 828 8488.