Alumni Spotlight

Malaya McNutt

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Meet Malaya

E Preps Cliffs (breakthrough midtown)
Class of 2024

Gilmour Academy
Class of 2028

What are you involved with in high school?

I'm doing volleyball, I did swimming this year, I’m in theater. I am also in 4 different clubs: yoga, mindfulness club, yearbook club, and gardening club. I also work two part-time jobs.

What is your favorite memory from Breakthrough?

My favorite memory was when we had our 8th grade trip to Washington, DC. That was the best trip ever. The teachers were so fun, they were so loving.

I really actually miss them, I wish they could come to my school now and teach.

What’s something you wish you knew before entering high school?

Do not change yourself  just to fit in. I feel like everyone did when they got to high school and were in a new environment.

Be yourself.

What’s advice you would give current 8th graders?

Enjoy the experience. Ask your teacher questions, get to know your friends a little deeper, hang out with them. Do more than only study.

Why is Beyond Breakthrough special?

They ask you many questions to see where you're at in life, and I feel like if people have that in the future, I think their life will be much better. Because, you know, you always need somebody to support you, if no one else is there to support you.

Alumni Spotlight

Myleah Avant

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Meet Myleah

Citizens Leadership Academy, Class of 2015

Laurel School
Class of 2019

Howard University
Class of 2023

What are you doing now, and what’s next?

I'm currently at Case Western University for a developmental psychology master's program. I'm going to apply for a clinical PhD program in psychology.

What has been the most rewarding thing about your educational journey?

When I run into people from previous schools and I get to tell them, I just graduated, I just found a job that I'm happy to have and it has to do with my career, my dreams.

Why is Beyond Breakthrough special? How has program helped you?

I don't know too many people where their middle school still checks in on them, emails or texts asking how you are, if you need help with like master programs, things like that.

Having the privilege of knowing if I did need a scholarship or if I did need a connection or I needed to network, I can rely on them to help with that.

Alumni Spotlight

Braylon Rose

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Meet Braylon

Breakthrough Woodland Hills
Class of 2022

Benedictine High School
Class of 2026

Xavier University
Class of 2030

What is your favorite memory from Breakthrough?

Field Day was always a good time. They'd bring the bouncy houses out to the school. It was a lot of fun just hanging out with my friends.

What’s one thing you wish you had known before starting high school?

Focus on yourself more. Don't get caught caught up in other stuff. Get into sports, get into clubs. My freshman year, I was trying all these different things. Don't be afraid to do certain things because your friends aren’t doing it.

What are some things you are involved in in high school?

Football is the big one. But I also  like engineering club. We go in there and make different things. Chess club, ultimate Frisbee Club. I never played ultimate Frisbee before. I go regularly, and you just see things that you probably would have never thought of.