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This year’s Black History Month theme is “African Americans and Labor,” exploring the contributions of Black workers throughout history. In honor of Black History Month, many Elevate students are celebrating the accomplishments of one such man, Governor Wes Moore.
Many of our Early College Elevate students at Arsenal Tech High School have been reading Gov. Moore’s biography, The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates. In this profound book, Moore reflects on the moments in his upbringing that impacted his life’s journey, including his mother’s emigration to the United States and his experience at Valley Forge Military Academy.
He contrasts this with the story of Wes Moore - another young man born in the same city, with the same name, in the same year. Though they came from similar neighborhoods in Baltimore, the other Wes Moore took a much more destructive path that culminated in serving a life sentence in prison. Moore recognizes the positive impact that his family and community had on his ability to grow into a Rhodes scholar, decorated veteran, and governor of Maryland, when, he states, "his story could have been mine."
As our students read and discuss the themes of the book (both with their class and, once completed, with guest lecturer, Principal Shelt), we also celebrate the Teacher-Mentors who similarly create lasting positive impacts in the lives of our students. Thanks to the deep, transformative relationships they forge with their Teacher-Mentors, Elevate students have seen an average 99% graduation rate over five consecutive years, most doing so with an actionable plan for their post-secondary placement. With our holistic, life-on-life mentorship model, Elevate's Teacher-Mentors give their students the tools and support to overcome incredible obstacles and become the best versions of themselves.
This is why so many of our students cite their Teacher-Mentor relationship with their ability to pass their classes, engage in school, and plan for a bright future for themselves. We are grateful for the Teacher-Mentors on the Elevate team for being a positive force in the lives of our students.
As we celebrate the richness of American history during Black History Month, we also continue to learn through one another’s experiences. Just as our students learn from the story of Wes Moore, we are humbled and grateful for the gift of learning from our diverse family of students, staff, and board members every day.
Thank you for continuing to walk with us on this journey, and we hope that this month can be a time of learning, celebration, and growth for our city and beyond. No one gets there alone, and together, we can foster a community of learning, support, and equity for all.
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