East grad returns to spit knowledge to 9th graders

By Pam Schiff
Posted 3/13/18

By PAM SCHIFF When Chris Correia crossed the stage at PPAC to receive his Cranston East diploma in 2013, the last thing he thought about was returning to his ninth grade English classroom to talk about careers, life choices and rap music. But at the

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East grad returns to spit knowledge to 9th graders

Posted

When Chris Correia crossed the stage at PPAC to receive his Cranston East diploma in 2013, the last thing he thought about was returning to his ninth grade English classroom to talk about careers, life choices and rap music.

But at the invitation of his former teacher, Andrea DiCicco, he returned to room 812 in Briggs this past month.

“Years ago he mentioned that he wanted to give back to the East community, and I believe this classroom introduction may be the first step,” DiCicco said.

Dicicco’s 9th grade students finished reading The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. As an enrichment activity, she had students collaborate on a multi-media presentation centered on Cranston High School East and the Cranston community.

One aspect of the project was to interview former alumni in an effort to better understand what it means to be a ‘Bolt. Students interviewed administrators, faculty members, parents, siblings, and friends.

“In addition to this assignment, students worked on several classroom tasks aligned to growth-mindset and grit, two topics being studied in my professional development sessions through CPS,” she said.

She asked Chris to join the classes because she felt he is the perfect bridge between the curriculum (understanding identity/community) and the real world (growth-mindset/grit).

“As a 2013 graduate, I feel as though his place in the world is relevant and meaningful to my students, Dicicco said. “He offers a unique perspective on life after high school. He is employed in the Cranston community, while simultaneously paving his way in the music industry, traveling on tours, recording in studios, and building documentaries. At the end of the day, I'm hoping that some students are able to redefine their idea of a role model. They don't have to try so hard to emulate the Hollywood elite. Maybe the person who works down the street, the one with the Cranston High School East diploma hanging in his room, the one who sat in their seats as a 9th-grade student, can provide an honest and valuable lesson about setting goals and overcoming challenges.

Correia goes by the moniker ‘Supreme Scribe’ in the rap world.

The rapper spoke to two classes for about an hour each about his time at Cranston East as an unmotivated student, as an All-State football player, and his experience growing up in Cranston.

“You gotta go through what you gotta go through to learn, the best advice I can give you, whatever you want to do in life, just do it as soon as you want to,” he said.

He credits his mom with “forcing” him to sign up and attend college.

“At the time, I was really angry with her, but looking back at it, I know she was doing what was best for me, she had my best interests at heart,” he said. “At the time, I felt she wasn’t taking my wants into consideration, but looking back it was the best decision.”

Chris got his first performing opportunity about two years ago when another rapper offered to perform with him.

“I took my seven best songs, that I wrote when I was around 17, and recorded them,” he said. “To see when I actually applied myself to something, and shared what I wrote with the world how quickly it took off, it was crazy.”

Chris explained the difficulty of learning who is a friend and understanding that it is OK to grow apart.

“You will outgrow some people, it’s not always a bad thing,” he told the 9th graders. “But, remember why you were friends with them. People want to use you as a trampoline so they can bounce up. Separate when you start to succeed, remember who’s been there and who hasn’t.”

Chris took questions from the class ranging from how he chose the name “Scribe’ (“In ancient Egypt, a scribe recorded history. Whatever was going on in the world, he put in the scroll. Whatever is going on I put into my music. And, the only reason I put ‘Supreme’ was because there is a rapper from the UK named Scribe.”), what inspires his music, if he know other rappers while at East, where he wants to be in 10 years, who are his five top rappers, what his experience was like at East, and if he ever question his choices.

“I was not a motivated student,” he told them. “My hardships were brought on by myself-mostly. I was late to school, I would hang out, play video games. I was lazy, I will never tell anyone it’s too late, but start doing it now, you are the only one who has to deal with your consequences.”

Chris did say he is sort of jealous of these students and their lives now with the access to social media. Their confidence levels are higher than when he was in ninth grade, he said, as is their willingness to try new things.

“Don’t lose yourself, and don’t lose what got you here, just do yourself,” was his last piece of advice to the students.

The students from both classes were grateful that Chris came to speak to them and share his experiences.

“Chris taught me that I have to love myself before going out of my way to please others,” said Jemini McAllister. “He also explained how I should be more involved and active in school. 

Isabella Stifano said, ““I learned to always strive for a growth-mindset and to not give up. Hard work pays off.”

“He taught me the importance of recognizing true and fake friends,” said Tyrese Cannon. “We should pay more attention to the individuals around us.”

For a sample of Chris’s music, go to www.soundcloud.com/supremescribe.

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