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Celebrating Growth & Impact: Girls of Legacy – July 2025
- Chris Lopez
- Jul 10
- 4 min read
Back in March 2022, LaunchPad officially launched the Girls of Legacy Scholarship and Mentorship Program right here in Austin, Texas. This initiative was born from a deep desire to uplift high school girls from underserved Title 1 schools—empowering them to pursue higher education and build meaningful career paths.
The program began by selecting standout seniors from two campuses: Round Rock’s alternative Success High Schooland Crockett High School in Austin. These young women—driven, resilient, and full of potential—represent the next generation of leaders. Their dreams span across industries and disciplines: from science and technology to business, cosmetology, dental school, journalism, the arts, and more.
Through Girls of Legacy, each scholar—whether just starting at community college or entering their second or third year at a university—is matched with a mentor from the Austin professional and business community. These monthly mentorship sessions provide consistent guidance, encouragement, and career support. This one-on-one model reflects the heart of LaunchPad’s mission—offering not just opportunity, but the support network necessary for long-term success.
As long as students remain enrolled, maintain their grades, and stay active in their development and mentorship journey, they continue to qualify for ongoing scholarship support each academic year. The generous contributions raised through annual fundraisers have helped make college—and career training—a reality for many deserving young women.
Highlights from the past year
In May 2024, each Girls of Legacy student at Success High School was awarded a $4,000 scholarship. The ceremony recognized their academic achievements and highlighted the commitment of both LaunchPad and the broader community to uplifting young women from Title I schools. It was a moment of celebration and purpose, honoring their journey toward college and career success.
Later that month, two exceptional GOL students were celebrated at their high school graduation in Round Rock. The event marked the culmination of their dedication and perseverance—supported by the mentorship, resources, and encouragement provided through LaunchPad’s efforts.
In June, the 2024 Girls of Legacy Fundraiser Gala was held at the historic Headliners Club in downtown Austin. The evening brought together mentors, donors, and community leaders with a shared goal: raising $25,000 in scholarship funding. That goal was far surpassed—raising $50,000 thanks to a successful dollar-for-dollar match. The event was filled with powerful stories and inspiring conversations centered around investing in the future of these remarkable young women.
LaunchPad also made a direct investment into the educational ecosystem in October 2024, contributing $8,000 to the Principal Fund at Success High School. These funds supported special campus projects to enhance the learning environment and benefit the wider student body.
That same month, members of the LaunchPad team—including a GOL mentor and current GOL student—hosted a school-wide presentation for junior and senior girls at Success High School. Personal stories of resilience and the power of mentorship were shared, encouraging students to see new possibilities for their futures and consider applying to the Girls of Legacy program.
In November, a moment of profound impact occurred when GOL student Alaiysha, studying STEM at Texas A&M, was reunited with her family from Jamaica for the first time—thanks to LaunchPad and the GOL program. Her family traveled to attend her college “ring” ceremony in person, a deeply emotional and powerful reminder of how this program helps make not only academic success but lifelong dreams possible.
December brought another opportunity to connect and reflect, with mentors and mentees gathering for a holiday luncheon at Maggiano’s in The Domain. Laughter, storytelling, and shared pride filled the room. These gatherings reinforce LaunchPad’s commitment to nurturing not just professional development but also confidence, connection, and community.
Over the course of the year, the LaunchPad team made nearly ten visits to Success High School, going beyond scheduled mentorship or scholarship meetings. These visits—including a meaningful session in December 2024—demonstrate a continued presence and commitment to student growth. During that visit, students discussed their takeaways from reading Lost Girl, leading to powerful, peer-led conversations about purpose, challenges, and motivation.
Looking Ahead
We’re excited to welcome Marissa, a 2025 graduate from Success High School, into the Girls of Legacy program this month. As the first in her family to attend college, Marissa plans to study Health Sciences Technology at South Texas College. She has already been paired with an incredible mentor from our GOL community, and we’re proud to support her on this new journey.
Looking forward, LaunchPad is preparing to host its Annual Girls of Legacy Fundraiser Gala on July 17 in downtown Austin. This private, invitation-only gathering is designed for donors positioned to give at a meaningful level. The goal: to raise critical funds for the 2025 Girls of Legacy cohort and provide financial support for the Fall 2025–Spring 2026 academic year. With a 1:1 match opportunity again this year, every dollar raised will go twice as far.
For those who feel aligned with our mission and are interested in learning more, please visit our Girls of Legacy 2025 Fundraiser Page. A team member will follow up with registration and giving details for confirmed participants.
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors
We’re incredibly grateful to the partners and sponsors whose generosity fuels this mission. Their support helps create life-changing educational access for the Girls of Legacy community:
A special thank you to our 2025 Girls of Legacy Gala sponsors:
We’re deeply grateful to the incredible sponsors who are making the 2025 Girls of Legacy Gala possible. Their generosity not only helps bring this event to life, but more importantly, directly fuels the educational futures of the young women we serve. It takes a community to create real, lasting impact, and we couldn’t do this without the support of these mission-aligned partners who believe in investing in the next generation of leaders. Thank you for standing with us and with our Girls of Legacy!
AvantGarde LLC
To contribute to Girls of Legacy – and have your donations matched dollar for dollar – visit https://www.rebeccacontreras.com/girlsoflegacy
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