2025
The Excel Center Adult High School Class of 2025 Graduate
Page 4
RAZIA RAWAN
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF AUSTIN COMMUNITY IMPACT CENTER
H-E-B
Frost Bank
Don & Christa Heath
Thrive Pet Healthcare Way Service, Ltd.
Wes Burke | C are.com Higginbotham
McCoy’s Building Supply
Sigma Information Group & Sigma InfoSec
The Bratton Firm, PC.
C ara & Mike Clifford
Jenny Everett
Bril & Karen Flint
Elizabeth & Gary Gunter
Regions Bank
Sunrise Technologies
Dave & C atherine Savage
Bank of America
George & Dianne Koehler Humanitarian Charity
Methodist Healthcare Ministries
Empowering Futures Through Education
At The Goodwill Excel Center, we believe it's never too late to earn a high school diploma and build a brighter future. Every day, we support adult learners who are taking bold steps toward new opportunities—for themselves, their families, and their communities. With flexible scheduling, Student Success coaching, and a supportive learning environment, our students gain the tools and confidence they need to achieve long-term success.
This school year, we expanded our reach by opening our seventh campus at the Stiles Unit, making it possible to serve more students than ever before. In 2024–2025, The Excel Center served 1,979 students across Central Texas and celebrated 316 graduates who earned their high school diplomas. These numbers reflect the impact of your support. Together, we help people reach their goals, increase their earning potential, and create lasting change for generations to come. Thank you for being part of this important work.
Congratulations, Excel Class of 2025!
We are thrilled to celebrate our 2025 Excel Center Community Campus graduates. Earning a high school diploma as an adult is a powerful achievement, and as Superintendent Theresa Rappaport shared: “By putting in the work and earning your high school diploma, you are not only reclaiming your dreams. You are also allowing the next generation to dream as well... What we do today improves our tomorrow—not just for ourselves, but for our families and communities.”
Few stories illustrate this better than graduate Chavon Thompson. “I became a mother at the age of 16 and decided to drop out of high school,” she said. “I was consumed with responsibilities. I couldn’t do anything.”
Years later, when her daughter struggled in school, a counselor told them about the Excel Center—and told Chavon she could enroll too. “They were like, ‘Yes, you. You can go.’ And I said, ‘Okay.’ Because I wanted to show her not to stop—keep going no matter what people throw at you or how life changes for you.”
Chavon embraced the challenge. She made new friends, became student body president, and earned certifications in phlebotomy and patient care tech. Next, she’s headed to Austin Community College to become a surgical assistant.
“I guess dreams do come true,” she told her classmates. We couldn’t agree more.
Congratulations, Graduates!
Theresa Rappaport, Superintendent Chavon Thompson, Class of 2025
A Voice of Resilience: Razia Rawan’s Journey to Graduation and Beyond
When Razia Rawan arrived in the United States from Afghanistan just three years ago, she brought with her more than the hope of a better future—she brought determination, grit, and a deep love for family. This summer, Razia graduated from the Goodwill Excel Center Adult High School, earning her high school diploma as well as the Billy Harden Award and the Excel Center Scholarship Fund. She was also nominated as a student speaker. This honor reflects both her inspiring journey and the lives she’s touched along the way.
English is Razia’s second language (her first is Pashto), and when she enrolled, she faced steep challenges. "When I came to the Excel Center, I didn't speak English," she shared.
Razia went on to detail how her first days at the Excel Center went, and the encouragement she received from her sister and brotherin-law. “When I came home from my first day at the Excel Center, my sister asked about my day. I started to cry and told her, ‘It was good. The teacher was so helpful and kind to me, but it was also frustrating because I knew what the answers were but couldn’t explain it to them.’”
Despite the language barrier, the demands of part-time work, and the emotional strain of being far from her parents and siblings still in Afghanistan, Razia didn’t give up. Instead, she leaned into her support system: family, teachers, and the Excel community. This was when she discovered just how strong she could be.
During her time at Excel, Razia earned multiple industry certifications, including a Patient Care Technician certification through the Goodwill Career and Technical Academy (GCTA). She worked as a store associate at DD’s Discounts, where she was offered a promotion to store manager after her language skills improved.
"They told me, 'If you're ready, we can hire you as store manager.' I said, ‘Give me a month. I still want to learn more before moving up to manager,’" she laughed.
But Razia has her eyes set on another dream. "I want to become a dental assistant, and I will start my classes on August 28 at ACC. After that, I want to pursue a degree. I’ll start with nursing, but I want to become a doctor."
Her journey is a testament to what can happen when access meets ambition. Goodwill Central Texas is proud to have played a role in Razia’s transformation—from new arrival to community leader, learner to graduate, and dreamer to doer.
When asked what being part of the Excel community means to her, Razia said, “Being part of the Excel community means a lot, especially in the context of education and personal growth. It’s not just about academic [achievement]. It’s about fostering a network of contacts, support, collaboration, and material growth. Even after graduation, being part of this community feels like a lifelong inclusion into a group that will [help foster] resilience and personal development.”
Finally, Razia offered this advice to anyone considering pursuing their diploma with the Excel Center: “If you want to study with supportive and kind teachers, use strong technology, and achieve your goals, go to the Excel Center.”
Congratulations, Razia. We can’t wait to see what you do next!
Excel Justice Education: Fair Chance Employment Starts Here
Also of note, our 2025 Excel justice education campuses graduations were celebrated in late summer.
Education is one of the most powerful tools for change—and that includes within the justice system. Through our Excel justice education campuses, we provide incarcerated individuals with the opportunity to earn their high school diplomas, preparing them for a successful reentry into society. These programs reduce recidivism, increase employability, and restore dignity by showing students that their futures are full of potential. With tailored support and classroom instruction inside correctional facilities, our students gain the skills and confidence they need to make a positive impact—both during incarceration and beyond.
By investing in justice education, we’re helping people rebuild their lives, strengthen their families, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Every diploma earned behind those walls is a powerful reminder that transformation is possible.
Congratulations to our Justice Education Graduates!
Overcoming Obstacles: Sunny’s Employment Journey
Sunny’s journey with Goodwill Staffing Group's Business Solutions Placement Services (BSPS) team began in May 2024. From the start, she was determined to find meaningful employment. Over the months, her name became one that resonated across our team. With guidance from our team members Araceli, Angela, and our Recruiting Supervisor, Lamesia, Sunny navigated an incredibly challenging job search. She submitted hundreds of applications, attended countless interviews, and followed every lead with optimism and resolve.
Despite repeated setbacks, she never lost momentum. Sunny remained curious, coachable, and open to opportunity. She didn’t limit herself to one path. Instead, Sunny kept walking forward, determined to build a better future.
What made the difference was her persistence coupled with the collective belief of a community behind her. Teams from across the Goodwill Central Texas organization worked in unison to share resources, provide encouragement, and open doors. We all saw her potential and rallied around her success.
And then, the breakthrough came. On May 12, 2025, Sunny officially began her new role with a large, local business here in Austin. More than a job offer, this was a hardwon triumph earned through months of resilience, courage, and unwavering effort.
Sunny’s story is a powerful reminder of why we do this work. Her success reflects the heart of our mission: that with the right support and sheer determination, individuals
can overcome barriers and rewrite their story. Her future is bright—not because it was handed to her, but because she refused to give up.
Here’s to Sunny, and to the strength that comes from believing in what’s possible. Thank you to our recruiters and collaborative division support within Goodwill Central Texas, for their expert support in this employment journey.
Introducing the Together We Carry More Initiative
H-E-B, Goodwill Central Texas, and the Central Texas Food Bank have teamed up to make sustainability simple and impactful. The Together We Carry More initiative, launched this past Earth Day (April 22, 2025), invites community members to donate their extra clothes, shoes, and household items to Goodwill in H-E-B reusable bags. By doing so, donors help create jobs, provide education, and fight hunger in our community.
It’s a win-win: declutter your home, support local programs, and contribute to a greener, more sustainable Central Texas.
Join the Movement to Give Back and Reduce Waste
The goal is simple: repurpose for good and keep items out of landfills. Your gently used clothes, shoes, and household goods can benefit not just one, but two essential causes in our community: job training and education through Goodwill, and hunger relief through the Central Texas Food Bank.
How it Works
Giving back has never been easier. Here’s how Together We Carry More works:
Pack Up Your Extras
• Start by gathering the clothes, shoes, home goods, and other items you no longer need.
• Don’t forget those extra reusable shopping bags! It’s time to give them a second life and make an impact.
• Donate to Goodwill Central Texas
• Drop off your filled reusable bags at any Goodwill Central Texas location.
• Your donations will be resold in over 35 Goodwill retail stores. The revenue generated will directly fund Goodwill’s job training, career placement, and educational programs for Central Texans.
Support the Central Texas Food Bank
• Your reusable bags won’t go to waste! Goodwill Central Texas will deliver them to the Central Texas Food Bank, where they will be used to pack groceries for families in need.
• By donating, you’re also helping fight hunger in our community while promoting sustainability.
How Many Bags We’ve Collected So Far
As mentioned, we launched Together We Carry More on April 22, 2025. And as of August, we had already delivered a whopping 12,400 bags to the Central Texas Food Bank! Interested in participating? Just gather your unwanted items in reusable bags and drop off your donations at any of our 35+ Goodwill Central Texas locations. Learn more and find your donation location at goodwillcentraltexas.org/earth-day.
Liberty Hill Is Now Open!
Congrats to the Liberty Hill team on the grand opening of our newest store! The store officially opened its doors on Friday, June 20, with eager shoppers lining up outside even before the ribbon was cut. Many were excited to be among the first to explore our new retail concept. We were honored to be joined by Liberty Hill Mayor Crystal Mancilla and Vice President of the LIberty Hill Chamber of Commerce Bob Calvisi. Their presence underscored the community’s warm welcome and support for Goodwill, marking the start of a collaborative partnership in the area.
August is National Make-A-Will Month. By including Goodwill Central Texas in your will or estate plans, you help provide education, training, and jobs that uplift lives—for generations.
Your planned gift helps:
• Empower people through meaningful work
• Expand access to education and career pathways
• Build a more equitable, inclusive community
Scan the QR code or visit frwill.link/goodwillctx0825
