15-LOVE Excellence participants are starting the New Year off right by attending weekly College Prep sessions with 15-LOVE Education Director Maxine Brisport.

A skill that they are working this semester is self-advocacy. They are learning that self-advocacy will help them to thrive in school, work, and life.

"It is important for students to understand that self-advocacy is about knowing what you want to do and going after it," said Maxine Brisport. "They understand to be college ready, their high school class schedule should have at least four college prep classes. To practice self-advocacy, students are encouraged to become their own advocate during their meeting with their school counselor to choose the appropriate classes."

Another way students are preparing for the college entry process is by receiving extra help through a partnership with an e-learning online platform - Winward Academy. This award winning interactive online platform provides students with access to the skills and content knowledge that will help build them up for life opportunities. Courses range from English, Math, Science, Reading, and Writing as well as SAT/ACT prep courses. They have just started using the program and so far response has been positive. We look forward to hearing more about how these e-learning tools are improving their lives.

A big THANK YOU to the USTA Foundation for providing this exciting opportunity for our kids.