Celebrating the Next Generation: A Special Commencement and a Powerful Reminder of Our Mission

By David Contreras, Executive Director & Founder, LaunchPad The Center

This week, I had the distinct honor of delivering the Commencement Address for the IDEA Public Schools Class of 2024 — and what a powerful, unforgettable moment it was. For the first time ever, I stepped onto the graduation stage not just as a leader or a mentor, but as a speaker entrusted with sending off an extraordinary class of young people into the next chapter of their lives.

What made this occasion even more meaningful was the setting: the ceremony was held at my own church, SHORELINE — a place that has been foundational to my own journey. To stand on that stage and speak into the futures of these graduates was a full-circle moment that I will never forget.

But the most inspiring part of the day? Ninety-two percent of this graduating class are college-bound first-generation students. These young people are trailblazers — breaking cycles, opening doors, and rewriting the story for generations to come. Their resilience, determination, and belief in themselves are exactly the qualities that LaunchPad was built to nurture.

At LaunchPad, our mission has always been clear: to mentor and equip young men with the tools, confidence, and leadership skills they need to succeed — not just in school, but in life. We believe that when a young man is guided by strong mentorship, grounded in purpose, and supported by a community that believes in him, he can transform not only his future but the future of those around him.

Seeing these graduates take their next steps — many as the first in their families to pursue higher education — was a powerful reminder of why LaunchPad exists. This is what mentorship looks like. This is what leadership development creates. And this is the impact we strive to make every single day.

To the Class of 2024: congratulations. You are the leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow — and your journey is just beginning. The world needs your voice, your vision, and your leadership. And we at LaunchPad are cheering you on every step of the way.

— David Contreras, Executive Director & Founder, LaunchPad The Center