Lewis Whitley graduated from the Simon Youth Pacers Academy at Washington Square in May, 2011, and headed to college in the fall.

While he became the first college student in his family, Lewis’s future was not always so bright.

He nearly dropped out of his traditional high school, because he missed too many classes. The teachers and environment there didn’t connect with Lewis.

“Other schools, you ask them for help. They might give it to you, but they’ll give up on you,” Lewis says.

With the help of Simon Youth Foundation, Lewis found his passion for learning and put together three straight semesters of perfect attendance.

“It was good. It was real good,” Lewis says of his time at his Simon Youth Academy. “When you come in everyone speaks to you – it was like your second family.”