Denise Hanson – Executive Director of Root 2 Rise:
On May 27th, we gathered to honor the Root 2 Rise Tutor-Mentors who spent the school year serving in K–5 classrooms across Dane County.
Twenty-six Tutor-Mentors completed the program this year, some serving for both semesters. During the celebration, each student received a certificate of completion and stood alongside their Partner Teacher, who shared with the audience what that young person had meant to their classroom and the students they supported. Together, these Tutor-Mentors inspired 572 elementary students throughout the school year.
The energy, pride, and joy in the room were truly special.
Watch the highlight reel here.
We were also honored to hear remarks from La Follette High School Principal Mat Thompson and Madison Metropolitan School District Senior Partnerships Coordinator Sonia Spencer. I loved this part of Sonia’s message:
“To all the Tutor-Mentors, to all of the staff, to all the families here, educators, and supporters – thank you. Thank you for investing your time, your energy, and your hearts into this work. And most importantly, thank you for reminding our young people that they matter, and their voices, stories, and dreams have power.
Tonight’s recognition is to celebrate you. Continue to lead, continue to rise, continue to believe in the greatness within yourselves and within all the scholars that you interact with. Your community is proud of you, and we are excited to see everything that you all will accomplish.”
What stayed with me most was watching our Tutor-Mentors be truly seen for the leaders they are becoming, and the difference they made in the lives of younger students.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because people like you choose to invest in young people even before there is a certificate, a speech, or a success story to celebrate.