On Thursday, October 24, 2024, YES Prep welcomed over 400 guests to the Wortham Theater Center for the Eighth Annual Leading Houston Forward Luncheon. 

As event chairs, Shirley and Brian Colona have played a pivotal role in the record-breaking $1.2M raised this year to support YES Prep’s mission of empowering all Houston students to succeed in college and to pursue lives of opportunity. The Colonas have been dedicated supporters of YES Prep for years, with Brian serving on the board of directors and taking a leadership role on the YES Prep Energy Texas Hold 'Em Tournament Steering Committee. 

 

“It is the power of our mission that drew us to YES Prep over 20 years ago, and the consistent commitment to and execution of that mission has us here today,” the Colonas shared. 

Luly Castillo ’01 receives legacy award 

This year’s YES Prep Alumni Legacy Award, which celebrates a graduate of YES Prep who demonstrates a deeply powerful commitment to YES Prep values and our community, was presented to Luly Castillo, Southeast ’01. Luly is the first YES Prep alumna to serve on the board of directors and a proud graduate of YES Prep Southeast Secondary. As board secretary, Luly was a driving force in increasing the number of Latino leaders and teachers at YES Prep, which now has the highest percentage of Latino leadership of any Houston-area district. Upon receiving her award, Luly shared “I am honored to be on this journey with you all, and together we will continue to create opportunities for Houston’s students and educators to thrive.” 

H-E-B honored with Chris Barbic Legacy Award 

This year’s Chris Barbic Legacy Award, which celebrates an organization or individual making a profound difference in the YES Prep community, was presented to H-E-B. For over 20 years, H-E-B has supported YES Prep’s efforts to educate Houston’s next generation of leaders. H-E-B is a firm believer of Texans helping Texans, investing in their communities from the first day a student enters the classroom and throughout their time in the workforce. H-E-B and the H-E-B Tournament of Champions has provided significant investments, notably towards YES Prep’s expansion and growth, and our elementary literacy program. 

Fireside Chat with 6th Grade Students 

This year’s luncheon featured some special guests from the class of 2031- Adela and Eric from YES Prep North Central Secondary, and Alessandra and Marlene from YES Prep Southeast Secondary. These four students are part of the first class at their respective campuses to complete elementary school and continue their secondary journey with YES Prep. They are a testament to the power and potential of a pre-K through 12th grade education. 

Keynote Remarks from Mayra Valle ’10 

Mayra Valle, North Central ‘10, delivered a powerful keynote, sharing her journey from first-generation college student to an accomplished leader in the college admissions field. Valle, an entrepreneur and soon-to-be-published author, spoke about the importance of community in her success, emphasizing how she was “community-made, not self-made.” 

She began by recalling the night before her high school graduation, feeling the weight of her family's sacrifices and support. "It was as much their graduation as it was mine," she said, illustrating the collective effort behind her achievement. Valle shared how her grandmother’s lessons on inclusivity and respect shaped her upbringing, giving her a strong foundation for the future. "She understood privilege before she knew it had a name," Valle reflected. 

Valle’s time at YES Prep was transformative, as she credited the school’s supportive environment for helping her dream bigger. "YES taught me to dream bigger, to the point where the inconceivable became the new goal," she said, recalling the ways mentors like Mr. Reed and Ms. Norwood challenged her and believed in her potential. 

Closing her speech, Valle urged the audience to invest in the next generation: "Let’s say YES to community-made potential," reminding us of the power that comes from uplifting others. 

Announcing The Power of YES fundraising campaign 

During his closing remarks, CEO Mark DiBella announced the launch of The Power of YES, a bold four-year fundraising campaign to raise $50 million. This initiative will fund the construction of four new elementary schools and one secondary school, completing YES Prep’s feeder pattern and ensuring that every student has a seamless path from pre-K through 12th grade. DiBella emphasized that the future of Houston depends on the quality of its schools, and that The Power of YES will bring the organization closer to its goal of serving 25,000 students across the city. 

DiBella shared his excitement about this expansion, noting the transformative impact of YES Prep’s elementary schools. He highlighted that students who have been with YES since elementary school are significantly more prepared for college, stating that “the longer a YES Prep student is with us, the more prepared they are for college.” By connecting every secondary school to an elementary school, YES Prep is setting students on a stronger path to success, building a legacy of excellence and innovation. 

In closing, DiBella reflected on the personal significance of this campaign, having been part of YES Prep since 2003. He spoke about the collective power of the YES Prep community, saying, “The Power of YES isn’t just about individual impact. It’s about our collective power to change lives, to change our city, and to change ourselves.” The campaign will be a crucial step in creating more opportunities for students and transforming Houston’s educational landscape. 

View photos from the Eight Annual Leading Houston Forward Luncheon.

If you are interested in learning more about the luncheon and other ways to support YES Prep, contact Wahsani Lewis at Wahsani.lewis@yesprep.org.