Story by: c/Captain Yaire Barreiro
MINT HILL, NC — The 2022-2023 Ravens Battalion Staff selected College and Career Readiness as the Battalion Continuous Improvement Plan (BCIP) focus area. This aligns with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools 2024 Strategic Plan: “Every student graduating with meaningful employment or higher education opportunities.” The battalion is striving to achieve and exceed the previous BCIP goal of seven million dollars in four-year scholarship offers. To accomplish this goal, senior cadets were encouraged to apply for college during the College Foundation of North Carolina’s (CFNC) “Free College Application Week.” Through the implementation of SMART goals, we were able to establish a solid foundation where senior cadets supported each other during the college application process. The process includes preparation or instructions as follows: Residency Determination Status, Naviance, CFNC, Common Application and numerous colleges or universities specific application requirements. Following the conclusion of the first semester, our senior cadets are on pace to meet or surpass the goal of seven million dollars in offers.
Aisha Veliz, pictured with her list of scholarships, shares the following about her success in the Ravens Battalion:
“I received over $1 million dollars in 4-year scholarship offers as a result of my 5th year plan. I chose to join the United States Army Reserves. I went from being a JROTC cadet Command Sergeant Major to a Parachute Rigger. My next steps are to attend college and join Army ROTC. With the help of my JROTC Instructors, they made sure I was college and career ready. AIRBORNE! ” ~ Aisha Veliz, RRHS c/o ‘22