Leo Silva's Beyond Acceptance Attollo Fundraiser

When people talk about acceptance, they usually mean getting in: a letter, a score, a spot, a yes. And honestly, that is exactly how my journey with Attollo began 11 years ago.

I still remember what it felt like to walk into Attollo for the very first time. My name was on the TV. The staff knew who I was before I introduced myself. There was this energy in the room that made me feel like I already belonged. That moment changed me. It made me feel seen. It made me feel capable. It made me feel accepted in a way I had never experienced before.

That feeling is what has fueled my work here for more than a decade. I want every student to feel what I felt, that Attollo does not just accept you, it believes in you. It surrounds you with people who push you, who cheer for you, who challenge you, and who help you see a version of yourself you might not see yet.

Yes, we help students figure out their next steps after high school, but what we really do is help them believe they deserve to be in every room they walk into. Acceptance is just the beginning. What matters is who they become after the yes.

This ExtraGive, I am thinking about the students who were once unsure, quiet, or overlooked and who have now become leaders, role models, and future professionals. I am thinking about the way Attollo taught me to go beyond acceptance and how we get to teach our students the same thing.

Your gift helps them build confidence. It helps them explore colleges and careers. It helps them find their voice. It helps them go further than that first acceptance letter, both in school and in life.

Can I count on your support? Together, we can help the next generation go Beyond Acceptance.