Rap Star On Hand For Launch Of Mentorship Program At Newark School
NEWARK, NJ — A high school in Newark that has become known for its innovative student outreach has unveiled a new mentorship program, getting a round of applause from a famous rap artist along the way.
Community members and educators gathered at a "ribbon cutting" event last week at West Side High School's newly designed Student Business Center at 403 South Orange Avenue. The goal? To mark the launch of the Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Opportunity (LEO) program at West Side High School.
The event included an appearance from Anthony "Treach" Criss of Naughty by Nature. Meanwhile, Grammy-winning producer Karriem Mack has also lent support to the program. See Related: Naughty By Nature Returns To NJ For Hometown Salute (VIDEO)
Here's the scoop on the new initiative, according to a news release:
"The LEO program, which was created to honor the memory and legacy of Leonidas 'Leo' Vagias, offers highly motivated students who have the desire to make a difference the unparalleled means by which to enhance their business knowledge and life skills, providing students the opportunity to learn how to develop their own product or service; build mentorships with top entrepreneurs and business experts from across the United States, and the opportunity to participate in various seminars, trips, and internships and compete in a Shark Tank-style competition to earn scholarship funds."The new program got a major boost from the Leonidas Foundation , which developed the program and its pedagogy – and provided an endowment that will power it for the next five years.
"We are thrilled to bring this initiative to the City of Newark," said Rhonda Clarke, the foundation's executive director.
"Our investment comes specifically from the relationship we have forged with the leadership at West Side and our commitment to ensure that all students – regardless of race, location or economic status – are provided with opportunity," Clarke added.
Learn more about the LEO program here .
IMPROVING STUDENTS' LIVES
Over the past few years, West Side High School has earned applause from some A-list celebrities for its attempts to reach out to students and improve their lives.
In 2019, West Side High School principal Akbar Cook got a big thumbs-up from Ellen DeGeneres after he installed a free laundry room at West Side High when he heard students were being bullied for wearing dirty clothes.
Later that year, Oprah Winfrey thrilled students at West Side High School when she announced that she was making a $500,000 donation to the school's "Lights On" initiative, which provides a safe haven from violence for local youth with supervised activity nights.
"West Side is dedicated to fighting for Newark students and ensuring every child is provided with the equity – and that starts with creating unique, innovative and valuable programs that ensure our kids are rightly provided with the opportunity they deserve," Cook said after the launch of the school's new mentorship program.
Cook thanked the foundation for the endowment, adding that the school "deeply appreciates" Newark councilman Dupree Kelley and the district office for helping to build another valuable strategic partnership.
"Parents in Newark will not find a more robust work-study opportunity in Montclair, Summit, or any area of the state," Cook said. "West Side is building valuable programs that can serve as a bridge to attending college, building a career or discovering a passion."
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