Congratulations to Amare!

L.C. Bird High School, Class of 2025

Amare, a senior at L.C. Bird High School, graduated with a fresh perspective, a renewed sense of purpose, and a clear path ahead. His journey hasn’t been without challenges, but with the support of his Communities In Schools of Chesterfield (CIS-C) Site Coordinator, Ms. Stephanie Mardigian, he’s crossed a crucial finish line and discovered what’s possible when someone believes in you.

Originally from North Carolina, Amare also lived in Philadelphia before moving to Chesterfield at age nine. He attended Benedictine for his freshman year but found his stride after transferring to Bird. Outside of school, he enjoys outdoor adventures—paintball, fishing, amusement parks, and hanging out with friends. “When you go places,” he said, “you realize there’s more to see than just what’s in your area.”

That open mindset helped carry Amare through a difficult senior year. He had been dealing with depression and a loss of motivation, especially after stepping away from football—something that had always been part of his life. He started skipping school, fell behind on assignments, and was in danger of failing both government and calculus. College, which had been his goal, suddenly felt out of reach.

That’s when Ms. Mardigian stepped in. “She’s been a really big help,” Amare said. She created a supportive space for him to focus—literally, giving him a place in her office to catch up on missing work—and helped coordinate a plan with his teachers to get him back on track. With her encouragement, Amare recommitted to his education and his future.

“The main goal was to go to college,” he explained. “At the start of the year, I didn’t even know if I could graduate. But we made a plan, and it worked.”

More than academics, Amare is proud of how much he’s grown as a person. He’s developed stronger time management, learned to block out negative opinions, and embraced the mindset of “just go ahead and get it done.” These shifts in perspective have helped him feel more in control—and more hopeful.

“I appreciate the fact that Ms. Mardigian and CIS believed in me,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting the grace that my teachers and Ms. Mardigian gave me, but I really needed it.”

This spring, Amare was awarded the Bill Milliken Scholarship, a CIS-C award that recognizes perseverance and promise. After graduation, he plans to enjoy some well-earned rest—including a celebratory cruise—before starting a summer job and saving up for college. In the fall, he’ll attend Virginia Commonwealth University, where he plans to major in finance. After taking an economics class, Amare discovered his passion for the subject and knew it was the path for him.

Looking ahead, Amare sees a future where he’s financially stable, has his own place, a car, and a career doing what he loves. “Ten years from now, I just want to be comfortable,” he said.

Thanks to his hard work and the support of CIS of Chesterfield, Amare is well on his way.

You can be a part of future students’ graduation success! To invest in the class of 2026, make your donation to Communities In Schools of Chesterfield today!

Read about all of our CIS Class of 2025 Graduates by clicking here.

Amare with CIS Site Coordinator Stephanie Mardigian