Thank YOU!
The Last Week of PRYSE Academy 2025
During the final week of PRYSE Academy 2025, our students and seasonal staff spent the time connecting and reflecting on all they did over the past 5 weeks of the summer.
We are grateful we get to remember each year of PRYSE Academy not just with photos but with our yearly t-shirts, and this year's shirts were designed by our student and second year junior counselor, Bahati. During the final week, students used their shirts as a yearbook, having their friends and counselors sign them.
For the fifth summer in a row we worked with our friends at UpStreet to provide mental health support and resources to our students, and one of their therapists, Shelby, attended camp each day - sitting in on classes and sharing her skills with both students and staff.
This summer would not be possible without the support, energy, and commitment of all of our junior and senior counselors who lead their classrooms with fun as the main goal. We also want to extend a major thank you to all our interpreters because without their time and support, language access and learning at PRYSE Academy would not be possible. And as always, thank you to our volunteers for all their hard work and support throughout each day at camp - we appreciate you!
Our End of Summer Celebration!
As always, we closed out our summer with our Final Showcase and second annual resource fair. This event brings together everyone in the ARYSE community including students, both current and alumni, seasonal and all-year staff, ARYSE board members, and our supporters.
Our PRYSE leadership team from left to right: Bahishta, Ariana, Vito, Amya, and Chance.
This year, the showcase featured singing, dancing, art, and we honored our students who graduated from high school. We enjoyed delicious food from Salem's Market and Grill, and were so impressed by the henna done by ARYSE board member and long-time supporter, Faduma Saleh.
For the first time at one of our showcases, we had a photo exhibition with photos taken at camp by one of our alumni and former Storytelling and Curriculum Planning Intern, Rukiya. The focus of Rukiya's photos was more than just to capture PRYSE Academy, but to capture a community as written in her artist statement: "I hope my work can show people that PRYSE is more than just a summer camp it’s a community, built by the amazing students we get to encounter each year." Rukiya, we are so proud of you and your photography, and grateful for the time you spent with us as an intern.
A special thank you to the 8 partner organizations who tabled at our second resource fair: Allegheny Go, Immigrant Services and Connections (ISAC), City of Pittsburgh Mayor's Office, Pitt Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, Pitt Global Hub, Literacy Pittsburgh, The Warhol and World Affairs Council. We appreciate your partnership and sharing your resources with our students and their families.
Thank you to everyone who made this year's Final Showcase so memorable!
Two of our students learn about our partner organizations at the resource fair.
