Raise Up Mentoring & Scholarship Program

Raise Up Mentoring & Scholarship Program Executive Director--Allyson Thornton
Program Director--Jean Rebecca

In Fall 2010 we began our first year of Raise Up with eight young men who are sophomores at North Charleston High School. The eight have been divided into teams of four and will compete against the other team for scholarship dollars. The program focuses on the following topics: Education, Personal Finance, Business, Community Involvement, Social Awareness and Ettiquette.

06/15/2026

At Raise Up, we love creating experiences that introduce our students to new skills, perspectives, and opportunities beyond the classroom.

As part of our Dining Etiquette series, Daymon Walker shared this reflection:

“It was really nice. The food was good, and I liked learning about the different ways people eat around the world and the different dining styles. I also learned where to place your forks and spoons and things like that.”

Learning proper dining etiquette helps students feel more confident in professional and social settings while exposing them to customs and experiences they may encounter in the future.

06/08/2026

At Raise Up, we love creating experiences that help students grow in confidence and prepare for future opportunities.

As part of our Dining Etiquette series, Lester Raymundo shared this reflection:

“The dining etiquette experience showed me how I can be presentable with companies and how I can show that I’m formal in different situations. It also taught me how I can continue to grow along the way.”

Experiences like these help students build professionalism, confidence, and communication skills that will serve them well in future careers and leadership opportunities.

06/02/2026

At Raise Up, we love creating experiences that help students step outside their comfort zones and gain confidence in new environments.

As part of our Dining Etiquette series, Emanuel Cary Ojeda shared this reflection:

“When I first got there, I was confused because I didn’t know how to eat in that setting. But then she taught us the continental and American dining styles, and it was all new to me because I didn’t know that before. Now, I feel like I’m ready to keep dining with confidence.”

Learning dining etiquette helps students feel more prepared, confident, and comfortable in professional and formal settings they may encounter in the future.

05/26/2026

At Raise Up, we love celebrating the unique talents, leadership, and dedication our students bring to everything they do.

Keaton Wright shared about the extracurricular activities he’s involved in:

“I’m in marching band, drumline, and wrestling, and probably my favorite is marching band and drumline because I really got into the snare drum recently. As of last year, I’m already the drum captain, so I feel like it’s really, really interesting. But wrestling has grown on me too.”

From leading in drumline to competing in wrestling, Keaton continues to challenge himself, grow his skills, and step into leadership opportunities both on and off the field.

StudentSuccess

🎓 Alumni Spotlight: Alex PerezCongratulations to Raise Up Charleston alumnus Alex Perez on graduating from the College o...
05/21/2026

🎓 Alumni Spotlight: Alex Perez
Congratulations to Raise Up Charleston alumnus Alex Perez on graduating from the College of Charleston with a degree in Engineering.

Alex’s hard work, determination, and commitment to his future have been incredible to watch, and we’re proud to celebrate this major accomplishment alongside him.

Congratulations, Alex — we can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes you!


🎓 Alumni Spotlight: Jaylen LinkCongratulations to Raise Up Charleston alumnus Jaylen Link on graduating from The Citadel...
05/18/2026

🎓 Alumni Spotlight: Jaylen Link
Congratulations to Raise Up Charleston alumnus Jaylen Link on graduating from The Citadel with a degree in Psychology.

This achievement reflects years of commitment, resilience, and hard work. We’re proud to celebrate Jaylen and look forward to all that’s ahead in this next chapter.

Congratulations, Jaylen!

More exciting graduation announcements coming soon!

🎓 Alumni Spotlight: Ivan HuertaCongratulations to Raise Up Charleston alumnus Ivan Huerta on graduating from Clemson Uni...
05/14/2026

🎓 Alumni Spotlight: Ivan Huerta
Congratulations to Raise Up Charleston alumnus Ivan Huerta on graduating from Clemson University with a degree in Health Science.

Ivan’s dedication and perseverance have been inspiring to witness, and we’re excited to see him take this next step toward making an impact in the healthcare field.

We’re proud of you, Ivan!

More exciting graduation announcements coming soon!

🎓 Alumni Spotlight: Sebastian SanchezCongratulations to Raise Up Charleston alumnus Sebastian Sanchez on graduating from...
05/12/2026

🎓 Alumni Spotlight: Sebastian Sanchez
Congratulations to Raise Up Charleston alumnus Sebastian Sanchez on graduating from Clemson University with a degree in Horticulture.

We’re incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone and all the hard work that led to it. Watching our students grow into graduates pursuing meaningful careers is what Raise Up is all about.

Congratulations, Sebastian — your future is bright.

More exciting graduation announcements coming soon!

05/05/2026

At Raise Up, we love creating experiences that help our students grow in confidence and build meaningful connections beyond the classroom.

As part of our Dining Etiquette series, Cristian Herrera-Zuniga shared a thoughtful reflection:

“Growing up, I followed the dining customs my parents taught me, which reflect an international style. When I started learning American dining etiquette, I realized there were subtle but important differences. Adapting to the American style has helped me feel more confident in professional settings.”

Learning these skills gives our students the confidence to show up prepared, present, and ready to build relationships that matter.

04/27/2026

At Raise Up, we love creating experiences that help our students grow in confidence and build meaningful connections beyond the classroom.

As part of our Dining Etiquette series, Malachi Meyers shared a powerful takeaway:

“Dining etiquette helped me realize there’s more to making connections than just talking. When you know what to do at the table, you don’t have to think about the forks and knives—you can focus on the people, get to know them, and really connect.”

Learning these skills gives our students the confidence to show up prepared, present, and ready to build relationships that matter.

Address

2 Wharfside 3-O
Charleston, SC
29401

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