Support groups can come in many forms. They can be something as serious as a sobriety group or as simple as young, inspired men seeking unity. The Men of Vision, a PBIS alignment group that fosters belonging through a male peer support network, is flourishing at South with over 30 new active members.
By cultivating a community through bowling, pizza, dodgeball, or even working on homework, Assistant South Principal and co-founder Dr. Daniel Hyliard aims to build a brotherhood of students. To Hyliard, this sense of community is the driving force behind student success.
“I want kids to know that when they come to the building, we care about them,” Hyliard said. “It’s support, it’s pointing someone in the right direction or giving advice. We want to empower our students.”
When searching for mentors to promote the message of Men of Vision in his name, Hyliard deliberately chooses trustworthy upperclassmen who will uphold a community-first standard.
“Not athletes, not musicians, not scholars, not singers; not even all of that combined,” Hyliard said. “I’m looking for kind people, for caring people.”
For first-year students, there are often struggles in finding friends, a community and keeping up with academics. However, Men of Vision seeks to reverse this stigma for underclassmen. Scott Joyce ’29, a mentee in Men of Vision, thinks high school isn’t all that scary and believes Men of Vision has helped him see that.
“South is just middle school with a few extra steps,” Joyce said. “Having mentors is very helpful because it keeps me on track with getting good grades and stuff; [it’s] just a good motivator in general.”
Being a freshman, however, is much different than your first year at a new school as a senior, as many have already established friend groups and routines in academic life. Yet Jordan McLemore ’26, who is in this very position, believes that South is a welcoming community.
“My experience at South has been great. I’ve met a lot of people who are unique in their own ways, without people judging them,” McLemore said.
McLemore is an active member of Men of Vision and believes this club has set a foundation for lifelong success.
“This group is very welcoming,” McLemore said. “This club has helped me build relationships that could last a lifetime.”
