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My name is Aaliyah Lawson. I attended the HYPE program from elementary to middle school. This program taught me how to interact with people and helped improved my learning skills. Mr. Gadson and the staff made sure all of the students were lead in the right direction. I’m so thankful that my mother put me in the program. I graduated from Sumter High School in 2020 with all honors and 3.8 gps. Im preparing to start with junior year at USC Upstate in Spartanburg SC majoring in Criminal Justice.
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My name is Aisha Clay and I’m currently pursuing my doctoral degree in leadership while working as a senior online fraud detection specialist for Wells Fargo. Just graduated college with my second degree. I have a bachelor’s in business administration 7 my master’s in in supply chain management & logistics. I also own a company called Clay’s Consulting, LLC which partners with other new and small businesses to help them reach their financial goals. I enjoyed the food the most lol, it was always good! HYPE helped me to advance in areas such as reading and writing (which I did a LOT of in college) & without that extra time & attention after school, I don’t think I would be as far in life as I am now. I appreciate everyone who took the time to work with me in the HYPE program because they all genuinely card about or futures as children.
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My name is Epiphany Anderson and I am the product of the H.Y.P.E. Program. I am currently n my 10th year of being an office professional at the First Founding Public Charter School Liberty Stream charter located in Sumter, SC in the rle of Office Coordinator Manager. I went to school for computer technology and early childhood education. I knew that the love poured into me from my family and community and the HYPE Program I wanted to give back. I remember going to HYPE in elementary school, and middle, and volunteering in High School. It felt and still feels like family from the Directors to Staff that are still there when I was in the HYPE Program speaks volumes about the dedication to the community. I always felt love and support when I walked in the building and summer programs. HYPE helped build my confidence as a woman of color to know that I can sit at any table and make a difference
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Without the HYPE After School Program, I’d be lost. It’s always been a safe place for me to go after school. I struggled in school back then, and the staff helped me develop academic discipline that prepared be for High School and College. We always had a hot meal waiting for us after school. The HYPE Program changed my way of living and turned me into who I am today. As of today, I am a college graduate and have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Also, I am a First Lieutenant in the United States Army and I make life changing decisions.
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Hello, my name is Ivory Canty. Upon graduating college, I worked with Homeland Security conducting research to study infectious diseases in natural disasters. After finishing my studies, I then landed a job with a Fortune 500 company called LPL Financial as an Operations Special. When I was younger as a HYPE student, of course we loved Fridays when we got to play but a lot of the kids disliked working from Non-Thurs, but those values taught me that after the work was one, we can enjoy success and play even harder. Advice that I would give to the younger generation is to follow your dreams and your heart and they will tak you a lot farther than you think you are capable of.
