2023 Empowering Youth Tacoma: An afternoon of celebration and optimism

This year’s Empowering Youth Tacoma venue, on the Clover Park Technical College campus, brimmed with promise as College Success Foundation Scholars and guests were welcomed by enthusiastic emcee and CSF Scholar Exita Lealofi. Exita, a soon-to-be college graduate from UW-Tacoma and Mount Tahoma High School alum greeted the crowd with an inviting call-and-repeat “talofa” [tah-low-fah], which means “hello” in her native Samoan language.

In her opening remarks, she recalled her time as a high school student, who had recently moved to the U.S. from American Samoa, and how her CSF advisor Mel helped her get to and through college by navigating complex systems and by building community with other students:

“Mel has been there for me every step of the way as I navigated applying to colleges, completing FAFSA, figuring out financial aid and applying for scholarships.“

Before meeting Mel and joining CSF, I didn’t know who to go to and who to trust. CSF ended up being the safe haven I needed and my fellow students have felt like family. It was with the help of Mel that I was able to find the best college fit for me.

Next, with an upbeat and extremely danceable CSF Scholar-curated playlist, students from all five comprehensive Tacoma high schools and local colleges announced their college plans from the podium and strode confidently through a celebratory receiving line. Filled on both sides with CSF staff and luncheon guests, everyone cheered them on with high-fives, fist bumps and waving pom-poms.

During the program, CSF alum Courtney Acoff shared how she successfully graduated from Foss High School to UW-Tacoma with the support of CSF–despite the hardships that came with being a young parent:

“At 17, I was hopeless when I found out I was pregnant in my senior year. As a young mother, I wasn’t sure what was next or what my future held. What had been a relatively straightforward journey, suddenly turned much more challenging.“

I can honestly say that my life might look a lot different today had it not been for College Success Foundation. During what might have been a time when I could have said, ‘no’ to college, they supported me as I said, ‘yes.’

Courtney exemplifies our mission: Today, she is a transformational leader making an impact in our community. As the Pierce County District Representative for U.S. Congressman Derek Kilmer’s Office, she works to make her beloved hometown of Tacoma the best it can be for its citizens to thrive.

CSF honored Willie Stewart with the Distinguished Service and Community Champion Award for his unwavering commitment to Tacoma and Pierce County students. Willie was appointed the first black principal in Tacoma Public Schools when he became principal of Lincoln High School in 1970. Willie spent 36 years with the district and 6 years as a Tacoma School Board member. Today, Willie Steward Academy in Tacoma is named after him.

CSF supporter Jay Stricherz had the privilege of recognizing and surprising Willie with the award:

“Willie has made a remarkable long-term contribution to increasing college access for underrepresented students, as a teacher, as a principal, as an administrator, as a school board member, and as a College Success Foundation supporter. 

We all owe such an enormous debt to you Willie, for the person you are…and all that you have done to champion students, families and this community, you are an inspiration to us all.

Willie graciously accepted the honor and joked that being a Texan in his early years allowed him to give an impromptu speech for such an occasion. And that he did. His touching words beamed with pride for his Tacoma community:

“I’m so elated to see former students, former colleagues all in the audience today…even one of the recipients [CSF Scholars] today…I remember, 1962, I had his grandfather as a student,” reminisced Willie. “I’m fully committed to education, fully committed to the district, and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to serve. And, I shall continue to serve as long as there is blood in my veins that is warm.”