Summer Programs 2025

This is Evan Sanchez’s second summer as a Tutor-Mentor at One City Schools. Partner Teacher Danay Cruz said Evan is “awesome” — “genuine, responsible, reliable” —and encourages him to become a teacher. Evan wants to become an auto mechanic, but now thinks he might also like to teach part-time.

Root 2 Rise marks the fourth year of its partnership with One City Schools this summer when 11 students from West High School serve as Tutor-Mentors in K-5 classrooms.

Four high school students (two from West High School and two from Capital High School) will inaugurate the program at the Lighthouse Christian School in the Madison area. 

Program coordinator Joseph Thigpen Jr .said Lighthouse may train Tutor-Mentors when it opens a  high school next year.

Coordinating the program is a labor of love for Thigpen, who credits Root 2 Rise for his decision to pursue a career in education. After five years as an educator, he will now enroll in college full time, thanks to financial support from Root 2 Rise Thrive. He has also been chosen to participate in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Odyssey Program.

“I see myself in the Tutor-Mentors I help,” Thigpen said. “It’s incredibly satisfying to know that, like me, Root 2 Rise can give them  the confidence to pursue goals that might seem out of reach.”