NXT Gen GEAR UP is a one-stop resource designed to help Class of 2025 students and parents plan for post-secondary success. Students will have access to TSI/SAT/ACT resources, college requirements, financial aid, armed forces, scholarships, career exploration, ASVAB testing, and so much more. We are here to help guide and motivate our students to succeed in life and encourage them to reach their highest potential.

Each month NXT Gen GEAR UP will have a theme to foreshadow College/Career/Military Readiness (CCMR) for our Class of 2025 cohort.

Next Generation GEAR UP was featured in an article through the Dallas Examiner talking about the DeSoto ISD Triple A Experience (Academics, Arts & Athletics) and how we have a major impact on its success.

Dallas County Promise opened on September 1, 2024 and we are proud to announce that Desoto ISD has been recognized for having the highest percentage of completion average (92%) in all of Dallas County.

Evonne Foo, NXT Gen Ambassador has been selected as a finalist of the Questbridge Scholarship Program and could earn a full-ride scholarship to her school of choice.

QuestBridge connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with a thriving community and transformative educational, career, and life opportunities that help propel them to lives of fulfillment, meaning, and purpose.

The NXT Gen Ambassadors along with NXT Gen Staff took out time to volunteer at the MINT Foundation in DeSoto to give back for a day of service. We had an awesome time and will bring more students to volunteer in the near future.

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff admissions representative visited DHS and granted automatic admission to DHS Seniors.

Congratulations!!!

Ni'ah, Jermiaha, and Riley

Louis Salazar, is a proud Dallas native. He began his career in education in 2010 as a Student Advisor at Texans Can Academies. In 2020, he transitioned into the role of College Retention Specialist, working with the GEAR UP program with Cedar Hill High ISD. In 2022, he had the privilege of supporting seniors at Cedar Hill High School as they prepared for graduation. He is now excited to join DeSoto High School, where he will serve as the College Retention Specialist for the class of 2025, guiding and assisting students through graduation and their post-secondary endeavors.

Ron Bivins The People's Servant Ministry

presents

2025 TPS Scholarship

Eligibility Criteria:

• Have and maintain at least a 2.5 Grade Point Average
• Active youth participation in extra curricular activities
• Active participant and leader in your church
• Active participant in community activities
• Demonstrates exceptional dedication and outstanding leadership to other youth participants in school, church , and community activities
• Must have not been involved in the Juvenile System

**Application Deadline: November 15th**

Application Link:

https://ronbivinstpsm.org/scholarship-application

BSPNTX Leadership Scholarships ($1,500)

• Maintain a current GPA of 3.0 or higher and provide an official copy of your academic transcript as verification.

• Submit a written essay of 500 words or less to reflect on a mentor or role model who has significantly influenced your pursuit of a career in sports. How did their guidance contribute to your professional development? How do you plan to pay it forward to inspire future generations of Black sports professionals?

https://www.bspntx.com/leadership-scholarships-application-2024-25

**Application Deadline: November 15th**

BSPNTX Community Scholarships ($1,000)

• Maintain a current GPA of 2.5 or higher and provide an official copy of your academic transcript as verification.

• Submit a written essay of 500 words or less sharing an example where you encountered a setback or failure in your role as a student or community leader and how your acknowledged and learned from that experience in the spirit of the Sankofa Principle. How did you reflect on this experience? What steps did you take to ensure that similar mistakes were not repeated in the future? How did this experience align with the principles of Sankofa?

https://www.bspntx.com/community-scholarships-application-2024-25

**Application Deadline: November 15th**

Teen Tuesdays - Watercolor Portraits!

Teens ages 13 – 18 are invited to join Odette Vega with the Dallas Museum of Art on Tuesday, Nov. 5th from 6:30 – 7:30 PM for a free Hispanic Heritage inspired craft class.

For more info contact Marq Runnels at 972.230.9663

Interested in attending an HBCU

The Black Common App allows students to apply to multiple HBCU's with one application for only $20

https://commonblackcollegeapp.com/

This QR code will provide the following resources for PARENTS:

Dallas County Promise; Virtual College Tours; FSA ID Creation; FAFSA Application; Apply Texas, The Common App, Scholarship List, and more.

This QR code will provide the following resources for STUDENTS:

Dallas County Promise; Virtual College Tours; FSA ID Creation; FAFSA Application; Apply Texas, The Common App, Scholarship List, and more.