At Neville High School, two teachers are proving that education goes far beyond textbooks and test scores. Courtney Wallace and Rachel Gray are not just teaching math and English—they’re changing lives.
Wallace, the founder of Boom Youth Fraternity, leads a group of 110 young men focused on leadership, discipline, and personal growth. His group includes an award-winning step team that has competed in cities like Chicago and Dallas, most recently taking first place in two competitions and earning $1,000 in prize money.
Gray sponsors Bloom—short for Beautiful Ladies on an Outstanding Mission—which provides a sisterhood for more than 100 girls, empowering them with confidence, guidance, and support.
Together, these two teachers act as mentors, motivators, and even parental figures to their students. They offer advice on personal challenges, encourage academic improvement, and most importantly, remind their students that they are capable of greatness.
For many students, Boom and Bloom are more than after-school clubs. They are safe havens—places where young people can escape negative influences, develop their talents, and build a foundation for the future.
Across the country, similar organizations are working to steer youth away from crime and toward success. Programs like Gentlemen’s Quest in Florida, We R.O.C.K. (Reaching Out to Challenge Kids) in Chicago, and the Becoming Kings & Queens Initiative in Atlanta are just a few examples of grassroots mentorship efforts making a difference in young lives.
In Monroe, several groups are trying to mentor youth, the largest of which is MCAL a youth sports group that involves nearly 1000 youth in organized football and basketball from ages as low as five years old. The community Dance group offers free dance and mentoring for a large group of girls weekly. Tab-N-Action sponsors the “Black Tie Guys,” a male mentoring program that provides adult mentors, travel and leadership training for boys on a weekly basis, teaching young men how to function in the “Black Tie World.”
Unlike some programs that have some success in getting funds, Boom and Bloom are shoe string operations.
Boom and Bloom receive zero financial support from Neville High School. Wallace and Gray have taken on the financial burden themselves, covering travel expenses, competition fees, and even meals for their students. Next month, Boom’s step team is set to compete in the Rickey Smiley Stomp Team Competition in Dallas, but without outside support, Wallace and Gray will once again be left scrambling to fund transportation and food for the 30-member team.
Across the nation, dedicated educators like Wallace and Gray are stepping up to fill the gaps, acting as mentors to help deter crime, guide students toward college, and create opportunities where none existed before. But they can’t do it alone.
Those who want to support Boom and Bloom can donate to Neville High School, earmarking contributions for the Boom or Bloom student clubs. Every dollar helps ensure that these young men and women continue on a path of success—with their mentors standing beside them, every step of the way.
