Alumni are often leaders and provide some of the most valuable teachings and moral lessons. They influence, inspire, and guide others in many ways, shapes, and forms. Recently, I had the privilege to speak with Mr. Barnitt ‘88, the Director of School Counseling. He is a guidance counselor and mentor to many students at The Prep. This year, Mr. Barnitt is being honored at the Griffin-Bridges 30th Anniversary Gala. The Griffin-Bridges program is a program that transforms the lives of many and gives academically gifted, under-privileged students endless opportunities to thrive and succeed. When I spoke to Mr. Barnitt, he instilled in me a deep appreciation of his role in the Griffin-Bridges Program.

Mr. Barnitt began his teaching career in 1993. He had many of the Griffin-Bridges students in his classroom, thus, he had familiarity with the program. Through close friends and co-workers, he began to get involved in the Griffin-Bridges Program and his role became formalized over fifteen years ago as a counselor for the students of the program. Many factors drew Mr. Barnitt into the program. First, he had been a student at The Prep and wanted to make sure that every student was able to enjoy the opportunities offered at this school. Also, after college, Mr. Barnitt became interested in issues relating to social justice, for example, working with the homeless in downtown Washington D.C. His goal was to find places where kids can be in environments where they will be supported and where their potential will be realized. Mr. Barnitt’s role in the Griffin-Bridges Program has slowly moved beyond being a counselor to the students. Besides being a counselor, he is also an unofficial advisor and sits on the general advisory committee.

Mr. Barnitt explained that the program first started as a scholarship and then evolved into a program. Seton Hall Prep selects participants in the program by assessing student needs and considering how the program can do its very best to support those needs. The program provides students with internships and summer programs and exposes them to a world to which they may not otherwise have access. Most of the Griffin-Bridges students come from the Greater Newark Area including Newark, East Orange, Orange, and Irvington. Many in the program come from under-represented backgrounds and financial so a financial need is addressed. However, an important factor is that the program wants students who want to come to The Prep and have grit and determination. These are all the things that the program takes into consideration into selecting its students.

Mr. Barnitt then spoke to me about the impact Griffin-Bridges has had on him. As he has gotten older, the power of relationships has become more apparent to him. Also, he has realized that spending time with the students in the program is valuable. All the work and all the help given to someone is more valuable than people might imagine, he says. One of the things Mr. Barnitt prides himself on is his availability. He tries to make sure that guys know he will be there for them. Mr. Barnitt spoke specifically about one student that has really been impacted in a positive way through the Griffin-Bridges Program. Starting out shy and quiet as a freshman, he gradually progressed over the next four years of his high school career. As time went on, he became a professional in the working world and helps and guides his younger siblings. Mr. Barnitt says that this is not just the product of the work done by Griffin-Bridges, but it is also the work of The Prep. The students who are part of the program and part of SHP thrive and flourish.

I asked Mr. Barnitt what it means to be honored at the 30th Anniversary Gala of the Griffin Bridges Program. He says that he accepts the honor with great humility and acknowledges that he is only one of the many people who have been dedicated to the kids in the program. In addition, Mr. Barnitt says that it feels great to be honored and feels good to know that people understand how much work he has put into the program. However, he thinks about what he has done as more of an accompaniment to the program, a journey he has shared with others. His hope for the program is to keep it growing, keeping finances in mind, and to see the program provide much more access to students.

On a personal note, as a freshman here at The Prep, meeting Mr. Barnitt was a great opportunity. While I have heard about the program, I did not know what an important impact it had on so many students over the years. Congratulations to Mr. Barnitt on this amazing honor at the 30th Anniversary of the Griffin Bridges Program.