Two First Generation College Students Accepted To Highly Selective Third Annual Beating The Odds Summit At The White House
Two First Generation College Students Accepted To Highly Selective Third Annual Beating The Odds Summit At The White House
On Tuesday, July 19, Nia Hill and Christopher Wilson, both involved in local non-profit Chicago Scholars and rising first generation college students attended beating the Odds Summit at the White House.
Beating the Odds Summit is an event hosted by Michelle Obama as part of her Reach Higher initiative to celebrate college-bound students who have overcome great odds to get to where they are today. Hill and Wilson were in the company of about 130 carefully selected students from across the
country who represent urban, rural, foster, homeless, special needs and under-represented youth who have overcome substantial obstacles to persist through high school and make it to a post-secondary institution.
At the summit, students were celebrated for their tremendous accomplishments and had the opportunity to hear advice from the First Lady as well as major White House and Department of
Education representatives, staff from organizations like Google and influencers such as Tyler Oakley and Jidenna.
Students also participated in workshops and panels led by the Department of Education, author and BridgeEdU CEO Wes Moore and other leaders in K-12 and post-secondary education. The breakouts focused on sharing tools and strategies students can use to successfully transition into to college and to the resources they will need to complete the next level of their education.
Nia and Christopher were given the opportunity to attend because Chicago Scholars was invited by the White House to nominate and sponsor two deserving students. Both rising college freshmen credit Chicago Scholars for transforming their lives and helping them overcome the grave challenges they have faced growing up in their under-resourced Chicago neighborhoods.
Latest Stories
- Ex-NBA Star Big Bill Cartwright to hold book signing
- The Link & Option Center and Concerned Political and Community Leaders Hosted a Press Conference Recently To Issue a Red Alert on the Maternal Health Crisis in South Suburban Cook County
- Chicago Chosen for 2026 International Jazz Day, Uniting World Sounds in the Birthplace of Blues
- The RoseRanch Grocery Store Narrows The Food Desert Gap On Far Southside
- Dancer Teaches Life Skills Through Dance
Latest Podcast
STARR Community Services International, Inc.
