It takes a leap of faith — and courage many 14-year-olds lack — to join A Better Chance.
The local chapter of a national program brings 8 boys of color from underserved schools around the country, to Glendarcy House in Westport.
They live together, attend Staples, and enjoy many opportunities the town and school offer.
But it’s not easy. They leave their families. They’re thrust into a new environment, in an unfamiliar suburb where most people do not look like them. They face inordinate, constant pressure and challenges.
Yoel Hooper-Antunez was one of several dozen young men who, over the past two-plus decades, took that brave step.
He left Santa Ana, California. He adapted to his new community. He had a successful 4 years, playing music and taking part in other Staples activities.
Five years ago, Yoel was ready for his reward: graduation, and a chance to speak at the Dream Event, A Better Chance of Westport’s annual fundraising gala. Like so many before him, he would address a room full of adults, very successful in their professional and personal lives, about his journey over the past 4 years.
Those heartfelt, honest, painful, powerful and ultimately uplifting stories are always the highlight of the Dream Event.
Yoel Hooper-Antunez (front row, 2nd from right), with fellow A Better Chance scholars, and returning alumni, at a Dream Event when he was at Staples.
Just 3 months before graduation, COVID struck. The 6 underclass scholars were sent home. Yoel and the one other senior in Glendarcy House remained, with the resident directors.
The Dream Event was canceled. Yoel never gave his speech.
Five years later, he’ll get his chance.
Yoel — now a Grinnell College graduate, and finishing his first year at his first job — is the featured speaker at this year’s Dream Event (April 28, 6:30 p.m., Westport Library).
He’s coming from his home in Las Vegas for the event. That says a lot about the kind of man Yoel is. And about what ABC means to its scholars.
Yoel Hooper-Antunez as a Staples freshman …
Yoel’s introduction to the program came from a guest speaker in 7th grade. He spent the next 2 years getting his grades up, and preparating for tests and interviews.
On a visit to Westport he toured Glendarcy House; met the scholars, volunteers and then-president Eric Seidman, and spent a day at Staples.
He had been unsure about moving all across the country. But seeing the Westport program in action sealed the deal. When he was accepted, he quickly said yes.
Yoel thought he would be known only as “that ABC kid.” To his surprise, many students did not know about the program.
“It was somethng so big in my life. But it didn’t mean anything to other people. It was nice to be able to just be part of the crowd,” he says.
Yet Yoel stood out in other ways. He played in the jazz band (and got a saxophone he still plays every day). He joined the yearbook, wrestled, and studied film.
“The person I entered as is not the person I left,” Yoel says.
… and senior.
“That’s true for a lot of 14- to 18-year-olds,” he notes. “But I had so many resources at my disposal.
“I had a great roommate. Great tutors. A great school. Experiences I never would have had otherwise.”
ABC scholars spend weekends with host families. He was embraced by his, and traveled with them to Belize. On another trip, to Cuba, he met some of his relatives.
Being an ABC scholar is not easy. “There are a lot of expectations,” Yoel explains. “You’re an ambassador for the program, at all times. If you mess up, it reflects on the program.”
Scholars cannot drive. There are strict rules about parties and social events.
Yoel rose to the challenges. Between his academics, and navigating living 3,000 miles from home, he felt well prepared for college.
As he got ready for Grinnell — a school he heard about through volunteer college counselor Kim Freudingman — the pandemic hit. He finished his classes online, went on walks and rode his bike.
He had begun writing his speech for the Dream Event. But like so much else in town, it was canceled. He never got to descibe his 4-year metamorphosis.
His first year of college was also fully remote. But once Yoel got to the Iowa campus, he immersed himself in political science, statistics and music.
Yoel Hooper-Antunez, at Grinnell College. (Photo/Isabel Torrence for The Scarlet & Black)
He’s now a financial analyst with a gaming company. He plans to earn a CFA or CPA degree. He’s enjoying Las Vegas, and is saving money to buy a house.
And now, Yoel is planning that Dream Event speech he never gave 5 years ago.
“I want to give back to the program that gave so much to me,” he says.
“I got a scholarship to college. I have a good job. Everything I do every day, I trace back to moving to Westport when I was 14 years old.
“The experiences in Westport and Grinnell — I never would have had them without the program. It was transformative. I hope I can come back every year.”
That first trip comes soon. When Yoel Hooper-Antunez speaks next month, it will be — for a couple of hundred attendees, and especially for him — truly a “dream” event.
The A Better Chance Dream Event is April 26 (6:30 p.m., Westport Library). Click here for tickets, and more information.
Yoel Hooper-Antunez, today.
