Instructor Elia Powers reflects on how the cherub program helped prepare him for college.

Instructor Elia Powers first walked onto Northwestern University's campus as a journalism cherub at the National High School Institute in 1988. When he returned in 1999 as a Medill student, Powers was confident his cherub experience had prepared him well for college.

“I felt like I was ahead of the pack in terms of basic writing skills,” Powers said. “Cherubs gives you a good indication of how your time management skills are and how to schedule your time so you don’t end up burning out.”    

At the program, cherubs are responsible for managing their time and their finances. But they also learn to live in dorms with their peers and work with instructors.Many said they are confident this summer has prepared them for college.

Marcus Schwarz, of New Rochelle, N.Y., said that cherubs taught him how to work on a tight deadline and how to be direct and concise with words.

“I’ll know how to write a good lead,” Schwarz said. “I will know how to do a good strong interview and how to write different types of articles.”

Joe Buzzelli, of Lake Zurich, Ill., said he learned important time management lessons from assignments with longer deadlines.

“You had such a long deadline that you had to budget your time well to make sure you got it done,” Buzzelli said. “It improved my writing, which will be good for college.”

Schwarz also said he learned how to manage his time in the dorm at night.

“It’s hard not to stay up all night with your friends,” Schwarz said. “You want to talk all night with your buddies but with class at 9 o’clock every morning you just can’t do that.”   

Lily Altavena, of Scottsdale, Ariz., loves sleep more than anything. The program has helped her realize how essential a good night's sleep is.

“I need to get my eight hours,” Altavena said. “More than anything cherubs has helped me realize that I need my sleep.”