FROM COVID STRUGGLES TO VALEDICTORIAN: CITY YEAR TULSA PROVIDED RESOURCES THAT HELPED JASMINE SUCCEED

tutoring services. Jasmine said that having an additional adult in her corner and a few extra hours of tutoring after school improved her academic performance and confidence.

“When I started high school,” Jasmine said, “I was like, ‘I can do this. I’m going to get straight A’s all year. But once COVID hit, I lost my motivation during a very dark time for me.

“When we came back from COVID, I had my teachers, my friends, and City Year volunteers who always helped me.”

JASMINE HAD BIG PLANS for high school, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she fell behind in her studies. But thanks to Tulsa Area United Way’s support of City Year Tulsa, Jasmine found the extra help and encouragement she needed to get back on track.

City Year Tulsa places Americorps members in low-income schools to support students like Jasmine, one of many students who have benefited from the program’s mentoring and

With City Year Tulsa and Tulsa Area United Way on her side, Jasmine returned to the classroom determined to become McLain High’s 2023 Valedictorian. In the process, she earned a fullride scholarship to the University of Tulsa.

“I did it,” Jasmine said, with emotion in her voice. “I did more than what other people thought I could do.”

Way to go Jasmine and City Year!