Our Work for Students

Champions For Learning Student Sparks Change in the Community

Juliana N. is a high school senior at Lely High School and currently enrolled in Champions For Learning’s Take Stock in Children and College and Career Preparation programs. Juliana’s parents immigrated to the United States, and as she is the first member of her family to consider college, she knew she needed a support network to help her make sense of the confusing and complicated college admission process. She discovered this network when she connected with Champions For Learning. Upon induction into our Take Stock in Children program as an 8th grade student, Juliana was also matched with her volunteer mentor, Lenora Lern, who has been a constant cheerleader for Juliana in her academic journey.

“Lenora always encourages me to explore all of my interests and passions, and to challenge myself mindfully,” Juliana said. “She taught me how to ground myself when life becomes hectic, which has helped me achieve success in everything I do.”

Champions For Learning provided additional support as Juliana progressed through high school and the program, offering hands-on workshops on building healthy relationships, how to set goals, emotional wellness, and effective communication. When she reached 11th grade, she was dual-enrolled in our College and Career Preparation Program and participated in more rigorous lab sessions focused on college and scholarship applications, federal financial aid, career exploration, leadership development, and resume-building. Most impactful for Juliana was the one-on-one coaching she received from our Student Programs staff.

“Like Lenora, Champions For Learning is a community I can always turn to for support when I begin to struggle with my busy school schedule and the demands of my classes,” she said. “I know I can depend on my College and Career Coordinator to provide counseling and expert advice.”

Juliana is passionate about living support back to the community as well. Having grown up in a household where she was encouraged by her family to be the change that she wishes to see in the world, she has taken this belief to heart and completed over 600 hours of community service. Her volunteerism has impacted several local organizations in Collier County, including Meals of Hope, Naples Botanical Garden, Special Olympics, and Naples Equestrian Center. Juliana’s enthusiasm in giving back has helped foster a spirit of volunteerism within her school and our Student Programs, as she never misses the opportunity to give her time during Champions For Learning’s quarterly Day of Service volunteer opportunities.

She also participated in the Mapping Justice Program, which focuses on data-driven approaches to address social issues. Through her research, she discovered how to utilize and apply data in a way to help solve tangible, real-world issues. Juliana’s project explored the socioeconomic impact of migration, exploring connections between systemic injustice and looking at the impact of the pandemic on vulnerable groups.

“Having immigrant parents has made me see how important it is to have people who are willing to help you,” she said. “I feel such a strong sense of community when it comes to underrepresented groups in Naples. For example, I’ve mainly been working with high school students with intellectual disabilities. In many cases, there is not a substantial amount of support given to them, so I love to do as much as I can.”

Juliana’s incredible work earned her national recognition, including a computing award from the National Center for Women & Information Technology and a National Award from Bank of America. Juliana also spearheaded two independent research projects about coding websites on climate change, which she presented at Florida Gulf Coast University.

As she enters 12th grade, Juliana has already secured the prestigious Bright Futures scholarship. Once she graduates from high school, she will also earn a two-year Florida Prepaid College Foundation Scholarship through her participation in Champions For Learning’s Take Stock in Children program. Post high school graduation, she plans to study engineering and hopes to help develop improved technologies to aid large, underserved communities.

Can we count on you to support students like Juliana in making their academic dreams a reality? Your investment truly makes a difference in the trajectory of their lives by providing them with the resources and guidance to overcome the barriers to educational success. To make an online gift, please click the link below.

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