Seahawks Russell Wilson, Popstar Ciara Give Back to Education While Donating Nearly $2 Million to a Charter School
While using their Why Not You Foundation, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and Grammy award-winning singer Ciara have donated enough money to create a tuition-free, charter public high school that will operate in full accordance with the Washington state charter school law.
The talented husband and wife duo explained their decision to donate their money to the Why Not You Foundation in a statement shared on the organization’s official website. As Wilson and Ciara revealed they have “always held the belief that life’s successes start with a good education.”
RELATED: Russell Wilson Shares New Video of His Adorable Newborn Son, Win
However, they have also realized that access to quality education “isn’t always created equally for all.”
“The Why Not You Foundation was created with the concept of empowering youth to lead with a ‘why not you’ attitude,” Wilson and Ciara continued. “And that’s why it was important for our foundation to partner with Scott, Garth, and Cascade Public Schools to help open doors for kids from less fortunate backgrounds.”
As the couple admitted, “this school is a longtime dream of ours and it was important for us to find a way to combine traditional classroom learning with community and mentorship-based activities, in order to prepare kids for the real world.”
“Why Not You is based on the idea that it can start with one,” the concluded their statement. “And our hope is that this school will be the first of many.”
According to the Associated Press, Ciara and Wilson contributed about $1.75 million to rebrand the existing charter program known as Cascade Midway Academy, which is just south of Seattle. As the foundation revealed, the Why Not You Academy will offer students “a personalized approach to their education needs.”
That personalized curriculum is based on “three pillars,” the first being personalization. The academy will offer “personal learning plans based on each student’s vision, passions, and goals for life following high school.
The second pillar is leave to learn. This means the academy will present students with “opportunities to connect with industry professionals through internships and mentorships.” And the third is 21st Century academics. This means students will be offered “a rigorous, relevant, and culturally responsive curriculum focused on deeper learning to support the skills needed to succeed after school, such as communicating effectively and working collaboratively to solve complex problems.”
The school will be headed by authorized charter public school leaders Garth Reeves and Scott Canfield. The Why Not You Academy is expected to open in fall 2021.
Sara Vallone has been a writer and editor for the last four and a half years. A graduate of Ohio University, she enjoys celebrity news, sports, and articles that enhance people's lives.
What to Read Next...
At The Buzzer, or ATB is the place for those who love sports, life, family, community, and so much more. We are far from the run-of-the-mill 24/7 sports news websites. We not only bring you what’s happening in the world of sports in terms of trades and breaking news, but we also bring you the news that goes on behind the scenes, like big life moments, and so much more. So take a minute and read one of our articles, we promise you won't regret it.