EMERGE

We couldn't be more proud of EMERGE alum Isaac T., who's launching a startup designed to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies in buildings around the world. Isaac is a 2017 graduate of Westside High School in Houston ISD who received two bachelor's degrees in management and in materials science and engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Isaac began working as a part-time apprentice HVAC technician in 2014 and helped his family business scale to over 250 customers in Greater Houston. Prior to launching RetroFix AI (YC S24), he worked in private equity at Macquarie Group. Please join us in congratulating Isaac and wishing him the best of luck in this new venture.

Congratulations to EMERGE alum Raquel Sapon-Aldrich, MBA, who recently completed her Master of Business Administration degree. Raquel is a 2016 graduate of Westside High School in Houston ISD who received a bachelor's in electrical engineering from Texas A&M. She now works as an acquisitions program manager for the United States Air Force. Way to go, Raquel!

Many thanks to Third Coast for serving as title sponsor for our 5th annual Sporting Clays Tournament!

Meet Aysha A. Skinner, a driven senior at Blanson CTE High School in Aldine ISD and a 2024 Bank of America Student Leader. Aysha's internship with Bank of America has profoundly shaped her perspective on community involvement and public service, sparking a commitment to make a meaningful difference in her community. Selected for the prestigious #BofAStudentLeaders program, Aysha joined a legacy of service-minded high school students provided with eight-week paid summer internships at local nonprofits. This program, now in its 20th year, has invested over $42 million in youth workforce development, guiding 4,500 students across nearly 100 communities. During her internship, Aysha worked closely with MAM Houston - Memorial Assistance Ministries, enhancing her skills in financial management, community outreach, and project coordination. Aysha said EMERGE and especially her program manager, Lisa Banyem, have been a transformative influence in her college application journey. "Her dedicated mentorship and invaluable advice have been crucial to my success," she said. "Lisa’s support has given me the confidence to present my best self in every college application." Aysha is now set on a double major in communications and pre-law, aiming to become a civil rights lawyer focused on empowering lower-income families and underrepresented individuals. Currently, her top college choices are Princeton, Rice, and George Washington University. As Aysha prepares for her next steps, we are excited to see the great things she will accomplish. Her dedication to social justice and community service is an inspiration to us all!

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our 2024-25 Mentorship Program, which has paired over 60 EMERGE high school seniors with distinguished professionals from the Houston community. This year-long journey promises to enrich our students with unparalleled professional guidance, career development support, and expansive networking opportunities. Thanks to our dedicated mentors, these promising young minds will gain access to new experiences and opportunities that will empower them to thrive not just in college, but well beyond graduation. We are immensely grateful to each mentor for investing their time and expertise to mold the futures of our scholars. Watching these mentor-mentee pairs build strong, supportive relationships is truly inspiring. We look forward to seeing how these connections grow and lead to remarkable achievements. Thank you, mentors, for your commitment and generosity. Here’s to a year of learning, growth, and success!

Hey EMERGE Alumni! Don't miss out on the summer social this Friday! Such a fun way to meet fellow alums! Thanks to the Alumni Board for putting this first event together!

Meet Faiad Alam, an inspiring EMERGE alumnus whose educational journey exemplifies determination and excellence. A 2019 graduate of Sharpstown International School, Faiad has not only excelled academically but has also set a profound example of how ambition and support can transform potential into outstanding achievement. After completing his bachelor’s degree in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology and a master’s in Public Health at Yale University, Faiad is now poised to begin his next chapter at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, where he will start medical school this fall. His path reflects a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a deep commitment to contributing meaningfully to the field of medicine. Faiad credits EMERGE with playing a pivotal role in his success. He reflects, "EMERGE changed my life by inspiring me to not settle and always strive to reach my fullest potential in college and beyond. I will always be grateful that EMERGE gave me the support and knowledge to navigate the college system and also set a new precedent on how I should strive and challenge myself in my career." As Faiad prepares to embark on his medical career, he remains a beacon of inspiration for current students and fellow alumni alike, embodying the spirit of perseverance and the pursuit of excellence that defines the EMERGE community. Join us in congratulating Faiad on his remarkable achievements and wishing him success as he continues to make his mark in the world of medicine.

We're proud to spotlight EMERGE scholar Norma Callejas, whos journey at Hamilton College is a testament to how curiosity and academic ambition can lead to remarkable personal and educational achievements. Norma is uniquely combining her passions for music, Japanese, and Hispanic Studies into an interdisciplinary concentration focused on ethnomusicology, exploring the rich connections between music and cultural expressions. Norma’s excellence has not gone unnoticed; she was honored with the Charles A. Dana Prize Scholarship at Hamilton for her outstanding academic achievements, character, and leadership. Her commitment has also kept her on the Dean's List for all four semesters. Supported by the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, Norma will enhance her language skills and cultural understanding with a study abroad program in Japan in spring 2025, an experience that promises to deepen her academic insights. This summer, Norma furthered her research interests as a Levitt Summer Research Fellow under the guidance of music professor Alex Bádue, exploring the dynamics between dance and music. She is also actively engaged in campus life, contributing to the student magazine, modeling in fashion shows, and participating with the Wind Ensemble, Tropical Sol Latin dance group, and Poetry Slam. As she continues to embrace new challenges and opportunities, we celebrate Norma's accomplishments and the vibrant future ahead of her. Her story is a testament to the power of embracing diverse academic paths and the importance of community and mentorship in achieving one's goals.

Simon K. So excited to see what you and the alumni board will accomplish!

We’re excited to share that the NBA Foundation recently selected EMERGE as a 2024 grant recipient, renewing their generous support of our mission to break down educational barriers for high-achieving students from low-income communities. We are truly grateful for the NBA Foundation’s commitment to building thriving communities and for their generous support of EMERGE and our students’ futures. In the NBA Foundation’s 12th round of grantmaking, 47 amazing organizations were selected to receive grants totaling more than $13 million. #NBAFoundation