Delta Magic Awards $12,500 in scholarships to Rising Leaders
Earlier this week we celebrated something special: 11 freshly graduated high school seniors crossed the finish line of our Rising Leaders program, walking away with a combined $12,500 in scholarships and a set of financial skills most adults wish they'd learned at 18.
But the dollars are only part of the story.
What These Students Learned
Over eight weeks of Financial Literacy instruction, our Rising Leaders built real-world skills they'll use for the rest of their lives. They learned how to:
Choose a career that aligns with their interests, goals, and the lifestyle they want to build
Create a budget based on the projected salary of that career
Read a financial aid offer letter and choose the right offer for their situation
Recognize and avoid financial pitfalls like predatory lending
Navigate the path to buying a house
Build and protect a strong credit score
Save and invest for retirement, decades before most people start thinking about it
And the results speak for themselves. Comparing each student's pre-test to their post-test, the class grew their financial literacy by an average of 23%, with some students improving by as much as 40%.
It didn't stop at personal finance, either. Our students also learned how to plan and execute community events, putting those skills to work in an ambitious three-day capstone project: a family movie night for young kids, a karaoke night at the Tri-County Fair, and a celebration dinner where each student brought a rising senior to introduce them to the program.
That last detail matters. These students aren't just learning , they're already bringing the next class along with them.
A Partnership That Opens Doors
None of this would be possible without the investment and partnership of Partners Bank.
Partners ensures every student receives the support to open their own bank account, plus $500 to practice managing it, turning classroom lessons into hands-on experience. Partners also sponsors two additional scholarships for students who demonstrate real growth in the program and a genuine commitment to applying what they've learned.
"It's been such a privilege for Partners Bank and Partners Bank Community Foundation to partner with Delta Magic to teach local high school students how to save, budget and be smart with their money," said Fred Wood, Executive Vice President for Partners Bank. "By establishing real checking accounts for each student, they can apply the principles learned in the classroom to the real world via traditional branch, mobile or web-based banking transactions."
This partnership is rooted in something urgent: Phillips County has the largest percentage of unbanked residents in the state of Arkansas. Partners Bank is committed to changing that, one student and one program at a time.
"I'm Attached to This Community Now"
Maybe the best way to understand what Rising Leaders does is to hear it from a graduate.
Jerry Ballard used to think Helena had nothing to offer, that it was a dangerous trap he needed to escape. Then he attended his first Rising Leaders community event last year, and something shifted.
He started to see the opportunity and potential that live here. He saw the people and organizations doing good work, and he was inspired by them.
In his words, he's attached to this community now.
That's the heart of what we do. Financial literacy gives our students the tools to build a future, and Rising Leaders helps them see that the future can be built right here at home.
Meet the Class
Congratulations to our 11 graduating Rising Leaders:
James Rogers — KIPP Delta
Kylon Shipp — Central
Myra Mitchell — Central
Braylon Ross — Central
Emory Barnes — DeSoto
Jewel Brokeshoulder — DeSoto
Kirkley Rawls — DeSoto
Olivia Rawlings — DeSoto
Jenna Reed — DeSoto
Taylin Esters — Central
Jerry Ballard — Central
About Rising Leaders
Rising Leaders is a program founded by Delta Magic co-founder Drew Smith in partnership with Partners Bank, designed to increase financial literacy and community capacity across the Delta. By equipping young people with the knowledge to manage their money, and the vision to invest in their hometown, Rising Leaders is building a stronger Phillips County from the ground up.
Congratulations to our newest class of Rising Leaders. The community is lucky to have you.
