August 11th, 2021
Former Rock Island High School Student Ravon Johnson Taylor Awarded National GritGrant Honor
Ravon Johnson Taylor was awarded the McKenzie Foundation & Uncharted Learning 2021 GritGrant award. He was chosen as one of four recipients from across the country! He is also the first Rock Island High School Student to win the award.
Ravon graduated in 2021 but came back to Rocky on August 9 to receive his award and meet with Jim McKenzie from the foundation over Zoom.
Any high school student who is enrolled in an INCubatoredu / ACCELeratoredu and/or MobileMakersEdu / MobileMakersStudio programs can be nominated. Ravon was nominated by his INCubatoredu teacher, Trish Matson.GritGrants are based on a student’s Grit and Character. Elements of “Grit” include:
- Optimism, confidence, and creativity
- Resilience despite fear
- Laser-like focus on meaningful goals
- Excellence not perfection
- “Character” as described by CharacterLab.org refers to ways of thinking, acting, and feeling that benefit others as well as ourselves. Character is plural—encompassing strengths of heart, mind, and will.
- Strengths of heart (such as gratitude and kindness) enable harmonious relationships with other people.
- Strengths of mind (such as curiosity and creativity) enable independent thinking.
- Strengths of will (such as discipline and self-control) enable the achievement of goals.
In her nomination letter, Mrs. Matson said Ravon exemplifies all of these things and did so while facing some setbacks, “Ravon’s persistence in achieving his academic and athletic goals while suffering through personal setbacks and tragedy make him a worthy recipient.”
Mrs. Matson added that Ravon’s work ethic helped lead his INCubatoredu Entrepreneur and Enterprise team to first place for their business pitch.
Along with the award, Ravon received $2,500 from the foundation.
Congratulations Ravon!
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