"On a warm September afternoon, YELLS youth burst through a banner that proudly proclaimed #welovefranklingateway to kick-off the first ever Franklin Gateway Academic Pep Rally! Music boomed around the courtyard as the teens from the Community Action Café and children from the Mentoring and Afterschool programs completed laps giving guests high fives. They succeeded in building spirit and hype around academics! More than 100 people participated in the Pep Rally and cheered on educational success in our Franklin Gateway community.
Several organizations came to the event, including the Marietta High School Student Success Center, LaAmistad ESL, Hands On Atlanta, Amerigroup, Alorica, the Latin American Association, Girl Scouts, and Franklin Road Community Association. Additionally, Stablegold Hospitality’s Ali Jamal came and engaged with YELLS youth by making a commitment at the Commitment Pledge table and checking out the Community Action Café. Mascots Scrappy the Owl and “Mari-Etta,” from Marietta Reads also made rounds at the event.
Highlights of the Academic Pep Rally include the Spelling Bee, math Competitions, and performances and speeches from local talent including Young Entrepreneur and Dat Gurl Secrete. Line brothers from the fraternity Omega Psi Phi stepped and danced in vibrant purple and gold for a captive audience.
Families had the opportunity to learn about educational opportunities available in the community, sign up for library cards, play educational games like brain teasers and giant checkers, and make personal commitments for their own academic goals. Once again, YELLS youth led all ages on Franklin Gateway in a movement of change – this time focused on uniting as a community to promote continued education and academic achievement for all ages.
