Crossroads Students Featured in Santa Monica Daily Press

On Friday, Nov. 26, the Santa Monica Daily Press (SMDP) featured Crossroads 11th grader Meazi Light-Orr in a front-page story about her work raising money for a school in the village of Kololo, Ethiopia, where she was born. Seven Crossroads classmates have joined her efforts in an initiative they call Kids for Kololo. Partnering with the Tesfa Foundation—which helped Meazi’s family launch the school that currently serves students in kindergarten through fourth grade—Kids for Kololo aims to raise $100,000 to help expand the village school to include fifth and sixth grade.

 

“Collaborating with my close friends and fellow Crossroads juniors has given me invaluable resources and support,” says Meazi of 11th graders Sydney Johnson, Sebastian Stauber, Jack Oshinsky, Nate Kindler, Yann Carrillo, Charley Ordeshook and Harrison Woods. Meazi acknowledges, “Without the logistical, technical and emotional support throughout this process, Kids for Kololo would not be where it is today.”

 

Kids for Kololo’s efforts have already garnered contributions from throughout the Crossroads community. “We have gotten support from all types of people at Crossroads, from my classmates, parents, teachers and staff at the School,” adds Meazi. “It is amazing work and it warms my heart to see individuals recognize our work and hear our message and join with us to better educational access and equity.”

 

Reflecting on the SMDP story article, Meazi shares, “To have [Kids for Kololo’s work] be so well received and have the opportunity for a front-page feature at the SMDP was truly an honor. I cannot stress enough the importance of community engagement. With the state of our world right now, we must make an effort to stay connected, keep engaging and fighting for progress and improvement. Through this work, I have learned more empathy and compassion which I want to spread.”

 

Click here to learn more about Kids for Kololo, including their upcoming Dec. 11 auction and concert.