May is a special time in the RE village. Each year, in addition to preparing for the commencement of summer programs, we also get to send off another graduating class onto their next adventure.
Most of these students have been with us since middle school, and while we’ll miss seeing them every day, we’re excited to see where their journeys take them and look forward to continuing our mentorship. At RE, graduation is a milestone, not a finish line.
Meet the Graduates
To date, our class of 2023 has been awarded a total of $3,654,113 in grant and scholarship money. We’re so proud of the work that they’ve put in and cannot wait to see what they do next.
- Graice Benton plans to attend Agnes Scott College and major in public health with a minor in sociology and anthropology.
- Tashyra Lyles plans to attend Spelman College and major in either engineering or psychology.
- Darnell Barrow plans to attend Atlanta Technical College’s Dual Achievement Program where he will study welding and blueprint reading.
- Princess Yarbrough plans to attend Georgia State University and major in criminal justice.
- Keshawn Wiley plans to attend Morehouse College and major in business finance with a minor in urban studies.
- Gilbrea Clay plans to attend Atlanta Metropolitan State College and major in nursing.
- Clinton Johnson plans to attend Georgia Gwinnett College and major in criminology.
Culture of Success
For the past five years, 97% of students who have been with us three years or longer have completed high school on time and gone on to postsecondary education or credentialed career training programs. That kind of consistency isn’t a coincidence, it’s a culture.
We prepare students for their next steps by offering one-on-one planning and coaching sessions, where we help with everything from college and program research to submitting applications, completing personal statements and scholarship applications, and assisting with any fees.
Continued Expectations
Completing high school is a joyous occasion, but it can be scary too. Many of our students don’t know what to expect of college. The overwhelming majority will be the first in their families to attend. We’re proud to assure them that, though we may no longer be a part of their daily routines, we’ll still be walking alongside them in support and expectation as they matriculate to RE’s Project ELEVATE!