By Lateef Ipaye
In 2017, the Young Knights Leadership Academy (YKLA) at North Shore Senior High School began with only two members. Fast forward to 2020, the group has increased to over 20 and has become the talk of the school. Thien “TJ” Trinh, a senior and the group leader, has been directly involved with its growth.
“Without this program, I wouldn’t be the person I am today,” TJ said. “This program has helped me grow to become a man. The Young Knights and I have learned many things including teamwork, communication skills, how to become a leader, and how to help the community.”
The YKLA program, created by Michigan State Founder (Alpha Beta Chapter) Alex Alvarez in 1999, seeks to decrease dropout rates at local high schools while promoting higher education. Years later, the Young Knights Leadership Academy has become Omega Delta Phi’s national social action program providing assistance in the areas of college readiness, community service, mentorship, parent workshops, and distinctive lesson plans.
“It’s one thing to create several national partnerships with many national non-profits. However it tends to be more special when the program is created from within at the grass-roots level,” Alvarez said. “I truly believe ODPHI has created many special grass-roots programs that if leveraged nationally can make a profound impact on the world we live in.”
In the case of North Shore, the YKLA program is sponsored by Armando Rodriguez, an alumnus from the University of Houston Downtown (Beta Sigma Chapter) and a teacher at the high school. As the YKLA coordinator, Armando’s goal is to make sure the Young Knights live up to their motto “Develop to Uplift, Uplift to Impact” through education and community service.
“Mr. Rodriguez has impacted the Young Knights greatly,” TJ said. “I personally see this man as a great role model in my life and I know the other Young Knights feel the same. No amount of thanks can repay this man for the work he’s done for our program.”
Through education and his personal experiences, Rodriguez strives to be a great example for the Young Knights. “I teach them to value the importance of education. I saw (my mother) work two jobs to give me what I needed and sometimes what I wanted,” Armando said. “I tell these young men to never take anything for granted. Education is your weapon! That respect is something earned.”
Shalil Karim, a senior the group’s co-historian, also spoke on their mentor’s impact. “Aside from providing resources to the organization, Mr. Rodriguez has been nothing less of a leader and always pushes us to be great,” Karim said.
“The YKLA program has actively impacted me by giving me roles to become a leader and forcing me to step out of my comfort zone as well as bringing in multiple minorities to carry change in our communities.”
The Young Knights are heavily involved in their neighborhood mainly at Legend Oaks Assisted Living where they play bingo and have conversations with the elderly. Often times, the Young Knights are accompanied by the Beta Sigma Chapter through community and mentor events.
“All in all, I love this program and I love all of my brothers,” TJ said. “I can’t wait to spend my final year a part of this program and I hope to leave a legacy that won’t be forgotten easily.”