Walmart, Citizen Schools’ newest National Leadership Partner, was at Patrick Henry Middle School, one of our school partners in Houston, this week to announce a $1.5 million national investment in the organization and hear more about what’s happening on the ground. Our amazing students showed guests what they are made of with a “Percussion Discussion” performance where students practiced drumming and spoken word skills they are learning in a current apprenticeship. The apprenticeship teaches reading music and rhythm while giving children a space to share their stories and experiences. Three students and a Teaching Fellow also shared their personal experience with the Citizen Schools program and how it has impacted them.

“My favorite apprenticeship is Baking Science,” said 6^th grader Rudy Guajardo. “It teaches me how to be more responsible and how to bake. It helps me bake in a healthy manner, and I am learning some chemistry too!”

“I love apprenticeships,” said Silva Agular, another 6^th grader. “Crack the Case is my favorite apprenticeship…I would like to be a lawyer and this apprenticeship is helping teach me how to present myself. It also helps me with my speaking skills, and teaches me new vocabulary words.”

Many thanks to our partners at Walmart for supporting Citizen Schools in Houston and across the country! Your partnership is critical to our work providing students with a program that puts them on a path to academic and personal success.

"Citizen Schools' programs are extending the school day and helping kids realize their full potential in and out of the classroom," said Todd Manley, vice president – regional general manager at Walmart. "At Walmart we are committed to helping people gain access to an education that will help them achieve more than they thought possible and that's why we are proud to support Citizen Schools which benefits students right here in Houston."

This week’s event included student MCs, Rudy Guajardo, Silva Agular, and Quin’Travis King, as well as student performers, Julio Ordaz, Jessica Munoz, Ray Guzmen, Alejandra Lopez, and Jacoby Smith. Our Teaching Fellow speaker was Roxanne Jimenez and our guests from Walmart included Daniel Morales, public affairs director, and Donovan Ruffins, market manager at Walmart. Sarah Stafford, Vice Principal at Patrick Henry Middle School, and Todd Litton, Executive Director of Citizen Schools Texas, welcomed guests to the school.

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