A lot can happen in a single year, just ask Tracy Poulsen, the director of our Simon Youth Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy at Knoxville Center, a Simon Property Group mall in Knoxville, Tenn.
In less than a year after opening the academy's doors, Poulsen, her team and the local SYF partner in education, Knox County Schools, ignited hope in 49 students, guiding them to their high school diplomas. All 49 kids were at risk of dropping out due to a range of personal challenges, but they all persevered and received their diplomas in a ceremony on May 20, 2011.
The event makes for 49 young people who will now go on to earn hundreds of thousands of dollars more in their lifetimes and better contribute to their communities along the way, because they have earned a high school diploma. The students' stories of hope attracted the attention of two Knoxville area television stations, which covered the graduation ceremony.
The first story on Simon Youth Foundation's graduation ceremony in Knoxville is from WBIR-TV, NBC 10.
The station has removed its video but you can still read the second story on Simon Youth Foundation's graduation ceremony in Knoxville from WATE-TV, ABC 6.
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