Foundations for the Future: Inspiring Growth and Academic Awareness from Elementary School On
Promise Pals : Building Connections and Inspiring Futures Promise Pals , our elementary school mentoring program, is fostering meaningful connections and shaping futures for nearly 200 young learners in Lynchburg. This year, over 20 Heritage and E.C. Glass alumni—now college students at CVCC, UVA, JMU, and Virginia Tech—are mentoring 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at Perrymont and Heritage Elementary Schools. Each participating class is paired with two or three college mentors who alternate activities throughout the school year. Every month, students receive a letter, video, or visit from their mentors, offering encouragement and sparking conversations about dreaming big and planning for the future. These interactions inspire elementary students while helping LCS alumni see the impact of their own stories and practice giving back to the community that shaped them. The goal is for this year’s third and fourth graders to continue with college mentors throughout the rest of their elementary years, ensuring sustained support as they grow. Fifth graders, meanwhile, will transition to middle school and into the next phase of our K-12 programming, designed to promote academic success and future planning. Promise Pals is part of Beacon of Hope’s mission to provide early intervention, recognizing that these connections are key to increasing graduation rates and shaping post- graduation opportunities for students.
Future-Focused Conversations: Preparing Middle School Students for What’s Next In May, Beacon of Hope’s 8th Grade College and Career Symposium returns for its 11th year, bringing all of Lynchburg City Schools’ eighth grade students together for a day of inspiration and exploration on a local college campus. Held at Randolph College this year, the symposium introduces eighth graders to college life and career opportunities through engaging workshops, interactive panels with college students who were once LCS middle schoolers, and career-focused exhibits featuring local partners like Centra and the Lynchburg City Fire Department. This event, designed to spark excitement and connect academic performance to future opportunities, helps students envision their paths beyond high school. It’s a cornerstone of Beacon of Hope’s middle school programming, which also includes initiatives like the 7th-grade cohort at Sandusky Middle School, where students engage in personal assessments, field trips, and mentoring to prepare for the future. By connecting students to meaningful experiences like the 8th Grade College and Career Symposium , we ensure students take their first steps toward a bright future. Starting with Promise Pals in elementary school and continuing through middle school and beyond, Beacon of Hope provides a seamless pathway of support, helping students dream big and achieve their goals.
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