On May 22, 2022, about 300 people gathered at UC San Diego @ Park & Market to celebrate Reality Changers’ graduating high school seniors. These 142 students from across San Diego County will be the first in their families to attend college and some are the first in their families to graduate from high school.
This fall, students are planning to attend colleges locally and around the country, including Yale, Stanford, University of California Berkeley, San Diego State University, UC San Diego, San Diego City College, and others. Reality Charger helps students to be college-ready by 12th grade. Most of the 2022 high school graduates have received significant financial aid and scholarship packages, drastically reducing or even eliminating their out-of-pocket costs.
Reality Changers’ programs include free tutoring, college application support, financial aid application guidance, and more to help the graduates reach this important milestone.
“My heart is bursting with pride,” says Reality Changers President and CEO Tamara Craver, “these students worked so hard to become high school graduates and we just can’t wait to see what they do next!”
The 22nd Annual Scholar Celebration, which was sponsored by the Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan and UC San Diego Extended Studies, included musical performances by The Brothers Burns, speeches from students and program alumni, and remarks from Pamela Gray Payton, Chief Impact and Partnerships Officer, Vice President of Community Impact for The San Diego Foundation.
Since 2001, more than 3,000 students have graduated from Reality Changers. The program, which is based in City Heights and works with youth from all over San Diego County, serves youth from 8th grade through college and beyond.
Craver says, “We’re here for our students every step of the way. We’ll provide individualized coaching, workshops, mentorship, and more to help the Class of 2022 become college graduates and launch their careers.”
