Happy New Year! With 2024 all wrapped up, Palmer Scholars is filled with gratitude and pride for the incredible milestones and achievements that defined this past year. It has been a year of growth and resilience as we weathered the storms of transition, emerging stronger and more focused on our mission. Together with our scholars, alumni, mentors, and supporters, we’ve taken meaningful steps to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity, staying true to our commitment to empowering young adults in Pierce County. Here’s a look back at some of the highlights of the year.
Empowering the Next Generation
Our Legacy Program continued to provide high school juniors with the tools and support needed to achieve their higher education goals. This year, we celebrated the transformative impact of mentorship by highlighting the stories of scholars like Victoria Hernandez, a passionate high school senior aspiring to a career in dentistry. With the support of mentors in the medical field, students like Victoria are charting pathways to success.
Meanwhile, the Palmer Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship program saw another successful cohorts graduate. Our comprehensive approach, combining hands-on training with professional development, has helped young adults like Stevie, a standout participant, take confident steps into their futures.
Investing in Community Through Innovation
This year also marked the launch of our Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) program. Blending classroom learning with real-world fieldwork, GSI equips participants with essential skills for sustainable careers in environmental and infrastructure-focused trades.
Celebrating Alumni Success
Our alumni network continues to inspire us. From Reece, a 2017 Palmer Scholar who’s now a marketing specialist at the Washington Association for Community Health, to Chris, who pursued advanced studies in Marriage and Family Therapy and now supports mental health initiatives in his community, their stories highlight the lasting impact of Palmer Scholars.
In 2024, we also deepened our alumni connections with a new series that shares how our scholars’ journeys have evolved, reflecting on the role Palmer Scholars has played in their success.
Building a Legacy of Support
This year’s Stand Up and Cheer fundraising event brought our community together to reconnect with the heart of Palmer Scholars and the transformative work we do. Through storytelling and shared experiences, we highlighted the journey of our scholars, celebrated their successes, and invited supporters to deepen their connection to our mission of empowering young adults to achieve their dreams.
We also welcomed new faces to the DREAM Team, including Kory, Malachi, Janieka, Ron, Kenneth, and Chad. To close the year, we hired a new CEO, Tricia R. Speid, who will guide us as we continue to grow and make a difference.
Looking Ahead
As we step into 2025, we are energized by the promise of new opportunities and challenges. With your continued support, we’ll keep building on the foundation of mentorship, innovation, and community to create pathways for success for young adults across Pierce County.
Thank you for being a vital part of our journey. Here’s to another year of transforming lives and growing legacies together.
With gratitude,
The Palmer Scholars Team
Comentários