It's our favorite time of year! The IRC in Atlanta’s Youth Futures, Connect 2 Success (C2S) and New Roots programs are celebrating our largest graduating class to date, with 72 IRC students graduating from high school in the Class of 2021! These seniors have shown incredible work ethic and dedication throughout their high school journey and have collectively earned over 120 college acceptances so far.
The IRC in Atlanta's Youth Programs Class of 2021.
The Class of 2021 faced a particularly challenging journey to graduation due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We had no idea on March 11, 2020, that we wouldn’t gather in person again until their graduation,” shared the IRC’s Student Support Specialist, Cait Fogerty. “However, these students have been incredibly resilient, and our entire IRC Youth Team has adapted our programming to engage and support students virtually.”
With your support, the IRC in Atlanta’s Youth team were able to assist 65 students through the college application process, providing guidance on writing personal essays, researching schools, applying for scholarships, securing financial aid, and selecting a career path. The IRC in Atlanta’s volunteers and donors alike helped to sustain our programs through this difficult time. Ms. Cait shared, “Our amazing volunteers dove into virtual tutoring to provide academic support—we couldn’t have done it without them! We also made sure students stayed connected to each other and community resources through an interactive Facebook group with weekly live videos.” Students also got to attend virtual Garden Club, Book Club and STEM workshops, and continue as virtual Reading Buddies.
Graduating seniors engaged in the IRC in Atlanta’s Youth programs have earned over 120 college acceptances thus far and will attend Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, Agnes Scott College, Berea College, Berry College, Covenant College, and Georgia Piedmont Technical College, mostly in the fall—although 12 students have already commenced their college careers!
In addition, at Clarkston High School 14 IRC students were included among 26 students making up the top 10% of their graduating class! After arriving in the U.S. through the refugee resettlement program and oftentimes only beginning to learn English during middle or even high school, these incredible students not only graduated, but graduated at the top of their class.
C2S Program Coordinator Sharita Khatiwada shared, “It was a tough year, but all the students put forth their best efforts and were able to accomplish a lot. With virtual learning, we definitely saw students experience Zoom fatigue and have a difficult time staying connected. We created video manuals and conducted weekly college prep workshops with our awesome partner organization, Step Ahead Scholars. We also checked in with students weekly to make sure they were each on track to graduate and received support with their plans after graduation, whether that be working, starting vocational training, or attending college.”
The challenges of the past year and a half made this year’s IRC Graduation Celebration even more special, as students and IRC staff were finally able to meet in person—with COVID safety precautions—after such a long separation! Youth Futures AmeriCorps member, Ijeoma Orianwo, decorated gift bags for each student, filled with a graduation cord in IRC colors, a Class of 2021 mask, graduation cap cookies from IRC employer partner, Just Bakery, a packet of seeds from IRC New Roots Program Coordinator, Lauren Ladov, and notes of congratulations and encouragement from our volunteer tutors.
Please join us in celebrating our Class of 2021:
Farhiya Abdikadir, Noman Abdul Rahim Zai, Bahga Ahmed, Lojain Al Salkhadi, Arsema Alefe, Mallak Alsibrani, Rachel Asumani, Tam Ha Awi, Tristan Bawi, Fane Bello, Wah Buh, Ishimwe Chantal, Mahbuba Hashmi, Thay Htoo, Zehara Husen, Firomsa Ibrahim, Dhyani Kakkad, Sisto Kalala, Si Ngo Khe, Aa Khia, Mung Khual, Ting Kim, Blaise Kwizera, Paskolina Lolo, Vung Lun, Ngun Tha Mang, Hornela Cynthia Marnague, Rukaiya Masika, Thwang Hlei Mawi, Eden Mebratu, Lee Meh, Mee Meh, Ti Meh, Lidya Mila, Sahar Mirad, Iesha Mohammed, Rahaf Mousa, Asma Muhidin, Bahishta Nadir, Abrehem Nedi, Marie Nikuze, Cing Nuam, Sonam Omeri, Dawt Chin Tial, Blan Kai Paw, Lay Paw, Rukiah Mohamad Rafiq, Amina Rahmaty, Atifa Rahmaty, Lailuma Rasekh, Aa Raw, Law Reh, Plu Reh, Seh Reh, Johnny San, Merry San, Aewa Se, Sangavi Sithamparanathan, Murerwa Soleil, Sarah Soluade, Nyota Songolo, Afrah Suleiman, Rawda Suleiman, Tirhas Tewolday, Tluang Thang, Dawt Chin Tial, Gisele Uwamahoro, Vedangna Kumari, Simon Weldemichael, and Alvin Wright.
We are incredibly proud of 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 Development Manager, Kalie Lasiter, at Kalie.Lasiter [at] Rescue.org or 678-636-8941.
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