9th and 10th Grade Outreach: a Growing Portfolio
By Ben Siegel and Trevor Cronin
Ben Siegel (left) is a senior studying geography with a minor in education, learning & society. Over the past three years he has mentored at Ingraham and Renton for a total of eight quarters. In addition, he is the College and Career Readiness Assistant at Rainier Beach High School and Live the Dream scholarship co-chair. Upon graduation he hopes to work with a college access program and continue to build on experiences with Dream Project by supporting students in achieving their post–high school goals.
As a UW sophomore I joined Dream Project and immediately found a community of individuals passionate about supporting students and recognizing the inequities present in education systems. After mentoring for one quarter at Ingraham High School I took on the 9th and 10th Grade Outreach co-lead role.
At the time, the 9th and 10th Grade Outreach portfolio was very new to Dream Project. Our original goal was to consistently visit with students at select partner schools throughout their 9th and 10th grade years. Our sustainable curriculum focused on exposing students to various aspects of college readiness and emphasizing what steps they can take early in high school to prepare for senior year.
With the guidance of my co-leads I learned and grew alongside our 9th and 10th Grade Outreach portfolio as a leader and mentor within Dream Project. Over the past three years we have expanded from two schools to six. Our presentations now include more activities and opportunities for students and Dream Project mentors to interact in small groups. I’m excited to see the portfolio continue to grow and improve.
Trevor Cronin (right) is a senior studying communications and political science with a minor in diversity. Over the past four years he has mentored at the schools AAA, TEC and ACE. Along with mentoring he’s held multiple leadership positions within Dream Project including High School Lead (HSL), Spring BBQ committee member, and 9th and 10th Grade Outreach co-lead. Upon graduation he hopes to pursue a career in marketing and advertising, preferably staying in the greater Seattle area.
As a second quarter freshman I joined Dream Project as a mentor after being referred by a friend. Volunteering in schools is something that I always enjoyed, but the work that the Dream Project does quickly made an impact on me and has become something that I am extremely passionate about.
After mentoring for three quarters I took on the role of HSL at ACE High School. This was a great introduction to leadership within the program for me and an experience that I really enjoyed. Upon finishing my cohort as an HSL I transitioned into the role of 9th and 10th Grade Outreach co-lead. The goal of the portfolio is one that I find extremely important within Dream Project, and I am grateful that I have been able to be a part of the development and growth of the portfolio during my time as a co-lead. I am happy with all that my co-lead and I have done with the portfolio, and I am excited to see the portfolio continue to grow and progress with the new leads that will be taking it over.
