Achievements Rewarded: CPM Closing Ceremony at Alaaka Association
The air was filled with joy and excitement as students, mentors, and faculty gathered on Sunday, June 9th, at Alaaka Association in Newark for the closing ceremony of our College Path Mentorship Program as well as the Math and Coding classes. This event marked the culmination of months of hard work, growth, and educational success for our students the programs.
A Warm Welcome
Dr. Levent Koch, the CEO, arrived on stage. His speech was incredibly motivational. Dr. Koch outlined the history of UPLIFT Academy and emphasized the importance of each program we provide. He emphasized the tremendous influence the program can have on the mentees’ academic and personal development and urged them to remain committed to it. Reiterating his and UPLIFT’s dedication to students at Alaaka Association.
Parent and Mentee Reflections
One of the most heartwarming segments of the evening was the reflections shared by both parents and mentees.
Ibrahim Jackson, a CPM student shared: “Before I didn’t really care about improving in the studies because I felt as I was at a level where I could just pass it by. But upon being here for a while, my passion for learning reignited, and I feel as though I want to go further again and becoming better academically.”
Zurfau Mohammed, the youth coordinator at Alaaka, shared their journey: “There has been a lot of growth in our children, this program has brought a lot of opportunities to our children about coding, math help, the SAT classes. These are programs that a lot of inner-city children are not able to have opportunities to get. Thanks to Dr. Levent and his team they were able to bring these programs for our children and I look forward to continue working with your team.”
Nadia Salley, a mentee, shared his experience: “Our coding class has been really fun, and we’ve learned a lot of stuff and had a lot of. Even though some people may have struggled a little bit, he (the teacher) was able to help us improve and understand better. I just want to say thank you.”
I am very impressed with the program and how it addresses learning inequalities. Ibrahim was very shy and not thinking about college, but now, thanks to the program, he’s really interested. He’s been accepted into a college and has improved significantly in his writing and math. I would definitely recommend it.
Rasheedah Muhammad, parent.
Award Presentations
Dr. Levent Koch came back to the platform as the program was coming to an end to give each student a certificate, a t-shirt, and a gift card as a token of appreciation for their achievements. As each student’s name was mentioned, the room erupted in cheers and delight, praising their accomplishments.
Closing Remarks
The highlight of the evening was where guests conversed, exchanged tales, and relished cuisine. There was a glow of accomplishment and camaraderie in the air. As everyone said their goodbyes, it was evident that the College Path Mentorship Program had had a significant influence on each member and had fostered a community of support, encouragement, and lifelong learning.
The closing ceremony marked not only the end but also the beginning of something new, laying the groundwork for future successes and enduring friendships.
