Meet ACE’s Class of 2023!

Celebrating the Achievements of the Next Generation of Leaders

This year, we celebrated 15 students graduating from Worcester Public Schools. This incredible group of students represents all that we strive for at ACE. We are so proud of the Class of 2023 for overcoming difficulties inside and outside of the classroom, challenging themselves to grow and lead, and pursuing their dreams.

As we look back, the team at ACE feels honored to have been a part of the journey of the Class of 2023. We have watched the students grow up into leaders. All of the graduates attended youth programs at ACE, which include the After School Program, Saturday Program, Mentoring Program, and Summer Programs. On top of acing their schoolwork, many of the graduates went the extra mile at ACE playing soccer, leading dance sessions, starting a drum team, or leading the student council. We expect great things from the Class of 2023 beyond ACE!

“ACE has helped from my middle school years . . . to my senior year. All my good grades [are] because of ACE.”

— Esther

Esther graduated from Auburn High School after arriving as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Esther has enrolled at Worcester State University and wants to study business and marketing. Rose Wine Photography.

“When I moved to the U.S., I didn’t know English. ACE helped me develop my English skills . . . ACE is always there for me when I need it.”

— Fidele

Fidele graduated from North High School after arriving as a refugee from the Central African Republic. Fidele will attend UMass Dartmouth to pursue his dream of working as a software engineer. Rose Wine Photography.

We cannot express our congratulations enough for the Class of 2023 — and we want to continue helping them beyond high school through the ACE Post-Secondary Success Fund.

We started the Post-Secondary Success Fund a few years ago to address the ongoing needs of students graduating from high school. Many ACE graduates achieve great milestones, such as being the first in their family to graduate high school and/or attend college. This year, over 80% of graduates arrived in the U.S. as refugees. All graduates plan to attend college, and the majority take on the responsibility of supporting their family and household.

Through the Post-Secondary Success Fund, we offer direct financial aid to graduating students, bridging equity gaps in educational advancement. In the past, the Post-Secondary Success Fund helped graduates pay for textbooks, secure reliable transportation for school and work, purchase a laptop for college, and more. We hope our readers will make a gift to the Post-Secondary Success Fund to support the Class of 2023!

Without further ado, please join us in congratulating ACE’s Class of 2023:

Abdulrahman, North High School
Benjamin, North High School
Eme, Burncoat High School
Esther, Auburn High School
Fatumo, Burncoat High School
Fidele, North High School
Jimale, Burncoat High School
Khadija, Burncoat High School
Love, Burncoat High School
Lucas, North High School
Mariam, Burncoat High School
Mohamed, Burncoat High School
Michael, North High School
Odette, Doherty High School
Tom, Burncoat High School

Please consider sharing or making a gift to the Post-Secondary Success Fund! Your support means the world to us.

If you would like to share a note of congratulations, leave a comment or send us an email at marketing@acechildren.org, and we will share your note with the Class of 2023!

To learn more about the relationship between access to education and refugee youth, check out this article by UNHCR and the 2022 UNHCR Refugee Education Report

ACE graduate Fidele (left) and Post-Secondary Success Coordinator Melvin (right) celebrate Fidele’s graduation from high school. Rose Wine Photography.