Confidence Ignited

When students step into the SparkNC Lab at Southwest Edgecombe High School in the rural town of Pinetops, North Carolina, they’re immediately met with a question from SparkLab Leader Marquita Faison-Burris, one that sets the tone for everything that follows:

“What do you want to do when you grow up? You’re not going to be in high school forever. What’s your plan?”

For Lamont Vines, Jr., a quiet and reserved sophomore at the time, answering that question didn’t come easily. His focus was on passing his classes and getting by. College was always the expectation, a message his mother had instilled in him, but what came after felt distant and uncertain.

That began to change when Lamont joined SparkNC, a statewide initiative created to help students, especially those in smaller or rural communities, build high-demand skills in fields like technology, design, and innovation. SparkNC’s mission is to provide students with exposure, mentorship, and real-world learning experiences that position them for future-ready careers. Through its hands-on, project-based model, Spark NC gives students the social capital and confidence they need to envision their futures beyond high school.

One of the most transformative experiences for Lamont came through the District C/Teamship module, a unique team-based internship experience where students collaborate to solve real business challenges for real companies. For Lamont, the experience was an entry point into a world of opportunity and the beginning of a transformation in confidence, communication and leadership.

Working on a business problem with his peers didn’t come naturally at first. Lamont was used to working independently, but Teamship pushed him to collaborate, share ideas, and listen to others. Evening Zoom sessions became a new routine, where he stretched himself to lead discussions, contribute solutions, and communicate with business professionals. Slowly, something clicked.

“It gave me a confidence I didn’t know I had,” Lamont said. “Working alongside people, some I knew, some I didn’t, on real problems pushed me to participate more. The more I engaged, the more confident I became.”

What began as a class project evolved into a defining experience. Lamont discovered that he could not only keep up in a team environment but also thrive in it. Through the process of collaboration and presentation, he began to see himself as more than “just a smart kid.” He saw potential and possibilities.

Faison-Burris noticed the change, too.

“Lamont started to lead more naturally,” she said. “He asked better questions, spoke up with ideas, and really owned his growth. You could see him beginning to believe in himself.”

The lessons Lamont learned in SparkNC went far beyond academics. Confidence, problem-solving, communication and adaptability became his foundation – skills he now applies to every challenge. He began taking initiative, seeking leadership opportunities and envisioning a career that excited him.

Lamont, now a graduating senior, can answer Faison-Burris’s original question without hesitation:

“I plan to attend college, major in biology and become a physical therapist or work in cybersecurity,” he said with a smile.

Written by Krista Faye Terrell. Photos are courtesy of Alvin C. Jacobs, Jr.