A Monumental Opportunity

"They should have all the opportunities that any other kid in school has."

That's what Alisa Jones, family advocate at Renaissance West STEAM Academy, told us as the 8th grade teachers dreamt of taking their students on an overnight field trip to Washington, DC. They know the impact of actually seeing the world outside your neighborhood and the power it can have in shaping a child's future. Families had been hard at work selling popcorn to fundraise for such a trip, but had a ways to go to reach their goal.

Say no more. Jane's Fund is proud to partner with RWSA to sponsor the experience, sending 38 8th graders and 6 teachers to our nation's capital last week.

Tours of monuments, the White House, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture were just the beginning. Students learned independence, responsibility and camaraderie all while expanding their horizons and dreams for the future.

Principal Dwight Thompson said, "One of the huge benefits of the Washington, DC visit for our 8th grades is that we are providing a game-changing experience that exposes students to career opportunities, life opportunities and history beyond Charlotte. I hope and pray that this will change their trajectory for the rest of their lives, because we have future politicians, doctors and scientists (as all principals say about their school). I do hope this ignites their passion for what they do in the future"  

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