Cultivating Success by Aubree

Cultivating Success by Aubree - June 2026 Scholarship Essay

Students are like flowers - they can survive on their own, but cannot truly thrive without the right environment and support. At iSchool High, we are given the unique opportunity to graduate with our high school diploma and college associate degree simultaneously. Although this program opens many doors, the rigor of the program often leaves students struggling to keep pace without proper guidance and academic support. As a result, freshmen in our school community often struggle to find assistance from faculty or mentors who understand their challenges and can help them succeed. Recognizing this need, my best friend Hannah and I co-founded R.I.S.E., an academic tutoring club that connects students seeking academic assistance with peers who have faced similar challenges and are eager to help.

R.I.S.E. is more than a simple acronym; it is the foundation of our goals for both the club and the student body as a whole. We first wanted to “Reach” out to students who needed mentorship and academic assistance from peers who would understand their situation. Once connected, we aim to “Inspire” a growth mindset and encourage students to believe in their ability to succeed. Through tutoring and mentorship, we teach various techniques to “Study” based on each individual’s specific needs and learning style. Ultimately, our goal is for participants to “Excel” both academically and personally, carrying the skills and confidence they gain far beyond their time in the program. Combined, these four principles shape every aspect of R.I.S.E. and guide the support we provide to our school community.

When designing R.I.S.E., I drew inspiration from tutoring organizations like Varsity Tutors that demonstrate the impact of personalized tutoring support. R.I.S.E. operates similarly to a study hall, but with a stronger emphasis on personal peer mentorship and academic intervention. By providing tutoring sessions throughout the day, participants receive support from peers who understand the difficulties of balancing high school and college coursework. As co-founder and vice-president, I work directly with the teachers and faculty to find students who are struggling to keep pace, develop plans for growth, and monitor their progress. During each session, participants can work independently or with our tutors to overcome challenges in any subject area. Alongside in-person tutoring, R.I.S.E. provides the student body with a variety of academic resources through our Google Classroom, including studying recommendations, state testing preparation, note-taking strategies, and other tools designed to long-term academic growth.

When implementing R.I.S.E., I knew it would be difficult since past tutoring programs struggled due to limited accessibility to the student body and available mentors. Because of this, we worked to prioritize awareness to the student body through club posters around school containing information to get involved and partnering with faculty for student referrals. Additionally, we encouraged peer participation by granting volunteer hours for their time and remaining extremely flexible with their academic schedule. As a result of implementing R.I.S.E., we have seen many students benefit from attending and having mentor assistance. Over the course of the school year, 33 participants joined and were severely behind, but got back on track because of the R.I.S.E. program. By connecting students with knowledgeable peers and accessible resources, we can come together as a community to help them grow and excel beyond their high school experience.

Within a garden with numerous different flowers, it is imperative that each receives the proper nutrients and opportunity to thrive. R.I.S.E. started as an effort to address a necessity within our school, but has grown into an incredible program to aid students in finding their footing and realizing their true potential. Moving forward, I hope to expand R.I.S.E. as a lasting resource within our school, ensuring that no one feels left behind in their journey. By coming together as a community to support each other, we can ensure every student has the opportunity to excel.