Friendship Circle panelists share advice on building relationships post-high school
Experts tell audience to build social networks, maximize time and avoid isolation
A panel of Friendship Circle alumni offered community members advice on transitioning from high school to college, and college to the workforce. The speakers, who sat on gray cushioned seats inside The Beacon, shared strategies for building social networks, maximizing time and avoiding isolation.
After an introduction from Josh Platto, vice president of The Friendship Circle Pittsburgh’s Alumni Council, Reid Ringold, Ekow Opoku-Dakwa and Colton Vazquez — all members of the organization’s Alumni Council — responded to questions from Friendship Circle staffers Rachael Lynch and Masha Zaldoni.
Friendship Circle, a group that fosters friendship between teenage volunteers, children and young adults with special needs, affords members an opportunity to build meaningful relationships.
Lynch, Friendship Circle’s teen member manager, asked what “real-life experience” looks like once a participant has graduated high school.
Leaving high school and starting college, “I was excited but a little nervous about meeting new people,” Ringold replied.
The Duquesne University sophomore recalled feeling slightly overwhelmed at orientation.
“I took some breaths and went on a walk,” he said.
Having made numerous friends in high school, Ringold decided he’d apply a similar tack: “I put myself out there.”
Opoku-Dakwa, a University of Pittsburgh freshman, adopted a similar strategy upon entering college. After arriving in Oakland he joined a religious club and traveled with members. As he worked to create new bonds, Opoku-Dakwa relied on old alliances.
“A lot of people from Dice [Pittsburgh Allderdice High School] go to Pitt,” he said. “Seeing them and talking to them really helped.”
That first week of college “you will meet so many people,” he continued. “So having a close circle is good.”
The two college students, and longtime friends, swapped favorite moments from their freshman year.
Opoku-Dakwa said he saw NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, also known as DJ Diesel, headline Bigelow Bash, a free concert for Pitt students.
“It was awesome,” Opoku-Dakwa said.
“My favorite memory from freshman year was taking Spanish,” Ringold said before demonstrating his love of the language.
While attendees enjoyed snacks inside The Beacon, a Squirrel Hill-based teen-designed wellness center, Vazquez, a Duquesne University alum, said that since graduating he’s worked at City Theatre Company and become a certified yoga instructor. The latter, Vazquez explained while decked out in colorful athleisure wear, led to becoming an ambassador for Lululemon Shadyside.
After graduating college, Vazquez moved to Squirrel Hill. He said that meeting people through Friendship Circle eased the residential decision and that he now rides his bike nearly everywhere he needs to go.
While Vazquez looks ahead to completing a photoshoot with Lululemon and serving as best man at a college friend’s wedding, he said the future can spark nervousness but having his “mom, cousins and friends supporting him” makes all the difference.
The commonality between the speakers, Lynch said, is that “everyone put themselves out there, and even though it was scary it worked out.”
Platto agreed and credited Friendship Circle with leading him to other Jewish groups, including Chabad Young Professionals, Moishe Pod and YAD at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
Before concluding the April 28 program, Lynch and Zaldoni encouraged attendees to consider various Friendship Circle programs for individuals post-high school.
Whether it’s FC 2.0, an organizational chapter for 17-24 year-olds to meet up on campus or around the neighborhood, Friends on the Town — a program featuring movie nights, trips and wellness offerings — or the Alumni Council, which enables members to network and plan inclusive programs, like happy hours and panel presentations, “there are lots to look forward to,” Zaldoni said.
It’s true that as a younger teen, high school and Friendship Circle activities made it easier to socialize; still it’s “up to each person to find their own people,” she continued. “And, each one of our speakers showed that.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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