March to the Mailbox

As temperatures plunge, the commons area at Rivers Edge Academy remains a hotbed of activity. As the entire student body and staff, along with mentors from Neighborhood House’s College Access program, gather together to celebrate their college-bound seniors as they made a ceremonial march to the school’s mailbox to deposit their college applications.

The months of November and December are a frenzied time for high school seniors everywhere. Hours are spent polishing essays and gathering teacher recommendations as students prepare to submit their college applications. All of this is done with the hope of making a strong impression, and hopefully, gaining admission to the school of their dreams.
The days of envelopes and prayers sent with a postage stamp may be mostly behind us as many colleges now accept web-based applications. But for partner school River’s Edge Academy, March to the Mailbox day is an important rite of passage meant to uplift and empower their college-bound seniors. On this frigid morning, a walk to the local post office has been substituted with breakfast in the cafeteria followed by a much shorter walk to the school’s mailbox, but the student body still gets into the spirit of the occasion – decorating banners for each of the participating seniors, and taking group group photos as cheers echo off of the cafeteria walls.

March to the Mailbox day is far more than a push to get applications to admissions offices before deadline. It’s a public acknowledgement of all the hard work and sacrifices students make to reach their goals. Surrounded by their friends and mentors, students are recognized and celebrated at the moment their private hopes become something much more powerful – the dreams of a community.

Please join us in congratulating and honoring our youth as they embrace and work toward their potential.

Serving over 500 participants every year, the College Access program works to create a college-bound culture for youth and adults in St. Paul. Events like Pizza with Professionals and college visits inspire goal-setting, while one-on-one coaching sessions create plans to bring those dreams into focus.

12/15/16