Release Date: March 2022-23
Dallas, TX – Uplift Education proudly announces the upcoming College and Career March, an inspiring event designed to celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2024 and reinforce the commitment to educational equity. This dynamic event serves as a powerful symbol, signifying that the pursuit of higher education and sustainable careers should be accessible to every student, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Taking place across all 11 high schools within the Uplift network, the College and Career March is a high-energy celebration that marks the beginning of the final semester for Uplift’s seniors. This pivotal moment allows seniors to commemorate their journey by making decisions about their future paths, whether it be applying to college, the military, or embarking on a career pathway. Seniors will march through crowds of peers, staff, community supporters, and family members, culminating in the symbolic act of dropping letters into a mailbox that will set the trajectory to fulfill their future dreams.
For underclassmen and siblings of seniors, the event provides a sneak peek into the exciting journey that awaits them in their senior year. This shared experience of witnessing 1,100 seniors marching towards their futures creates a sense of anticipation and inspiration for those who will follow in their footsteps.
While Uplift firmly believes in the transformative power of a college degree, the College and Career March recognizes that college may not be the right path for every graduate. Embracing inclusivity, the event encompasses all students and their dreams post high school, emphasizing that success can take various forms. Uplift not only assists students in gaining admission to their best-fit colleges but also provides ongoing support, including college persistence assistance and career counseling post-graduation.
Yasmin Bhatia, CEO of Uplift, expresses the importance of the college-going culture at Uplift: “At Uplift, the college-going culture is central to our mission and to the big goals we set for scholars. Since the start of our Road to College and Career program, 100% of Uplift graduates have been accepted to college. Participating in the College and Career March is a great celebration to honor our seniors and their families who have worked hard to get to this moment.”
The success stories of Uplift alumni, such as Giovanny Sanchez, Uplift William Class of 2012, exemplify the impact of Uplift’s educational approach: “I think for a lot of us it wasn’t just about having the funds and the grades to attend college, but also how to embark on a journey that had never been done in our family history. The Road to College Counselors go to great lengths to expose students to the different career paths and actually took us to visit various campuses throughout the country which helped us make the best decision for our future.”
Uplift students achieve college degrees at a rate four times the national average for low-income students, surpassing even the state average for low-income students in Texas. All eligible high schools within the Uplift network were recognized among the Best High Schools in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report for 2023. Uplift Education alumni earn at least $30,000 more each year than peers who graduated from local ISD’s.
The College and Career March is not just a celebration of achievements; it’s a testament to the bright futures that await Uplift seniors and a beacon of inspiration for the next generation of scholars.