Urban League of Rochester Students to Represent Rochester

Rochester, N.Y. – The Urban League of Rochester is proud to announce that four outstanding students from its Project Ready program have been selected to attend the National Urban League Project Ready Youth Leadership Summit, where they will join youth leaders from across the country for an inspiring week of leadership development, college and career readiness, civic engagement, and academic enrichment.

Representing the Urban League of Rochester at this year's National Urban League Project

Ready Youth Leadership Summit are:

• Retesh Gajmer, an 11th-grade student, who has achieved a No. 3 national ranking and earned the distinction of being named a Youth Leadership Summit National Finalist. During the summit, Retesh will compete in a Financial Literacy Case Study Presentation for an opportunity to win a $5,000 scholarship, showcasing his knowledge, critical thinking, and presentation skills on the national stage.

• Felix Sherrod, 7th grade

• Rayna Rudolph, 10th grade

• Aahna Lowery, 10th grade

Together, these four students have led the Urban League of Rochester's Project Ready team to a remarkable 5th-place national ranking among more than 90 Urban League affiliates participating across the country. Their achievement reflects the students' hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence while highlighting the strength of the Urban League of Rochester's Project Ready program.

We want to congratulate our Youth and Education Divisional Director, Sierra Birmingham, who has been working closely with the students since April to prepare for this special occasion. The National Urban League Project Ready Youth Leadership Summit brings together students from Urban League affiliates nationwide to strengthen leadership skills, explore higher education opportunities, develop career readiness competencies, and build lasting connections with peers who are committed to making a positive impact in their communities.

"We are incredibly proud of these young leaders for representing the Urban League of Rochester on the national stage," said Tiffany Owens, Interim President & CEO of the Urban League of Rochester. "Their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to personal growth reflect the mission of Project Ready and the tremendous potential of Rochester's youth. We are especially excited to see Retesh recognized as a national finalist and wish him the very best in the competition."

Project Ready is a National Urban League recognized college and career readiness initiative, designed to equip students with the academic preparation, leadership skills, and confidence needed to succeed in higher education, the workforce, and beyond.

The Urban League of Rochester congratulates Retesh, Felix, Rayna, and Aahna on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to cheering them on as they represent Rochester at the National Urban League Project Ready Youth Leadership Summit.