The IRC in Atlanta’s Youth Futures program ended the 2018-19 school year with lots to celebrate; our afterschool programming served more than 130 Clarkston High School students throughout the year, including 42 seniors who all successfully graduated in May! These seniors have shown incredible work ethic and dedication throughout their high school journey and 32 have already been accepted into colleges across the Southeast.
Congratulations IRC Youth Futures Class of 2019!
Photo: IRC Atlanta
Youth Futures Class of 2019
Diksha Chhetri, Niang Sian Cing, Abdimalik Ahmed Hersi, Hala Salih Iddriss, Claude Nsengiyumva, Ther Paw, Neven Lateef Razqo Sakoo, Sayeda Sayed, Sada Sero Seid, Mang Ti, Sui Tin Vang, Rahma Abdalla Abakar, Ammar Abbkar, Neima Abdillah Houssein, Pierrette Barge, Hawa Bello, Safari Byringito, Tuan Don Cing, Namrata Darji, Day Dhwin, Harka Man Gurung, Tuan Suan Huai, Hamidullah Bin Ismail, Nga Meh, Maryam Kassim Mohamed, Mohammad Karim bin Mohammad Salim, Jacqueline Mukandayisenga, Dianne Munezero, Chree Tin Na, Vung Hoih Niang, Selia Paw, Shee Gay Paw, Parmila Poudyel, Ganga Maya Rai, Sadia Nura Shashi, Bule Rukaya Songolo, Yasir Soumaine, Khual Ta, Nuam Ta, Hosea Thang, Sophia Uwineza, Day Wah, Thomas Berhane Weldemichael and Donbosco Za Lian Bawi.
Youth Futures Clarkston High School Honors Graduates (top 10%)
Diksha Chhetri, Niang Sian Cing, Abdimalik Ahmed Hersi, Hala Salih Iddriss, Claude Nsengiyumva, Ther Paw, Neven Lateef Razqo Sakoo, Sayeda Sayed, Sada Sero Seid, Mang Ti and Sui Tin Vang.
Youth Futures Superintendent Scholars
Niang Sian Cing, Ther Paw, Neven Lateef Razqo Sakoo and Mang Ti.
Some of our Youth Futures students also received additional awards. Vung Niang and Mang Ti received the Clarkston 180 Days Award, Nga Meh was the recipient of the Clarkston Diversity Award, Hawa Bello was awarded the Distinguished Senior Award, Mohammad Karim Mohammad Salim received the Clarkston Presidential Award, and Namrata Darji received the Clarkston Best Discipline Award.
College readiness is an essential part of our Youth Futures afterschool and summer programming and our students worked closely and diligently with IRC Youth Academic Specialist, Sharita Khatiwada, on their college and scholarship applications. Of the total 67 Clarkston High School students that have been accepted to college so far, 32 are IRC Youth Futures graduates. Our students have been accepted to colleges across the Southeast, including: Agnes Scott College, Alabama State University, Atlanta Institute of Music and Media, Barry University, Berry College, Birmingham-Southern College, Brenau University, Clayton State University, Georgia Gwinnett College, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, Middle Georgia State University, Oglethorpe University, St. John's University, Transylvania University, University of West Georgia, Voorhees College, and Wingate University. Youth Futures students earned scholarships including the Asian and Pacific Islander Scholarship, the Dr. Gulshan Harjee Scholarship, the HOPE Scholarship, and the Refugee Youth Career Pathway Scholarship.
Some of our Youth Futures students have been enrolled in IRC programs for many years. Sui came to the U.S. from Myanmar in 2014 and was first enrolled in the IRC’s My New School program, an orientation program for newly-arrived youth and their families. “I am so blessed that I got the opportunities to participate in the IRC’s My New School program, New Roots Garden Club and the Youth Futures afterschool program,” said Sui. “These programs helped me build my steps up since I arrived until I graduated high school. I couldn’t imagine how hard and scary it would be without the help I received. My future goal is to become a doctor or a teacher. I am aspiring to help others, I will work hard to be who I want to be.” Sui will starting her undergraduate journey at Georgia State University this fall.
Niang, also from Myanmar, has been part of the Youth Futures program for two years and attended the IRC’s Ready, Set, College! summer camp last year. She will be starting her college career at Georgia State University in the fall and plans to pursue a career in accounting. “I'm really glad that I got to meet students that are from different countries, make new friends and get help with my homework, SAT, ACT and college applications,” said Niang. “Because of their help, I got a higher grade in my classes which I couldn't have made without the volunteers that came to help students at the afterschool program. I graduated high school which is my first step to get closer to achieve my dream of becoming an accountant.”
Hawa, who received the Distinguished Senior award, is from the Central African Republic. “I have been in the IRC afterschool program since my 9th grade of high school,” said Hawa. “I was involved in the Garden Club which helped me gain confidence. I was able to learn about food nutrition and did an internship. I went to summer camp twice in a row with the IRC and it was one of my favorite, especially getting ahead with college essays, visiting colleges, preparing for SAT/ACT, and fun field trips. I could not imagine how hard my senior year would be if I didn’t go to the summer camp. With the help of the IRC tutors and Ms. Sharita. Ms. Aria, and Ms. Cait, I was able to submit my college applications on time. At GSU I am planning to major in Chemistry.” Hawa has already started her journey as a college student at Georgia State University Perimeter College and hopes to become a pharmacist in the near future. She is currently working at the Global Pharmacy as a pharmacy technician after she earned her pharmacy tech certificate while still in high school. Hawa also recently became a U.S. citizen!
Thomas, a Youth Futures student from Eritrea shared: “I have participated in this program for four years in high school. During these years, I had a lot of fun with the programs and clubs that the IRC had. Being in the program was helpful to me because we used to do our projects, homework and writing essays anytime supported by our program leaders. Now I have graduated from Clarkston High School and I have already started classes at Georgia State Perimeter.” Thomas aspires to become a software engineer in the future.
Dianne is originally from Burundi and has been enrolled in the Youth Futures program since the 9th grade. She will be starting her undergraduate degree in Nursing at Middle Georgia State University. “The Youth Futures program allowed me to become independent and self-confident while socializing and making new friends from all over the world,” said Dianne. “It was a unique venue for growth.”
Please join us in congratulating these amazing graduates! We are incredibly proud of all their accomplishments and can’t wait to see all they will continue to achieve in the future.
To learn more about the work of the IRC in Atlanta and for information on how you can get involved with the IRC as a donor or volunteer, please contact Senior Development Manager, Kalie Lasiter, at Kalie.Lasiter [at] Rescue.org or 678-636-8941.
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