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Last year, Gault Middle School gathered enough college T-shirts to outfit 377 of its students, with the goal of inspiring students to think about and work towards going to college—many to be the first in their family to do so. Staff, parents and community members provided new or gently used T-shirts from colleges, technical colleges and universities across the country.
“Gault is now seeking more T-shirt donations—enough to provide the combined populations of Gault and McIlvaigh middle schools with a college T-shirt,” said Gault Instructional Facilitator Rachel Smith-Mosel. Gault and McIlvaigh will close at the end of this school year and the new middle school at Portland Avenue, yet to be named, will house 800+ students from both schools.
"The more Gault students saw college shirts all around them and on each other, the more their focus shifted. College was a foreign concept; now it’s their future," said Smith-Mosel. “Conversation in the halls shifted from middle school ‘drama’ to locating colleges such as Cornell, Penn State and Bates Technical College on the wall map. Students were so inspired that they began interviewing teachers about their college careers. Parents noted the change in their child's homework ethic and dinner table conversation. It’s been incredible! If we can make this change for the new middle school’s students, it will be awesome.”
Smith-Mosel’s father, a retired California elementary school principal, developed the Adopt-A-College program, and Gault’s program is modeled after his. Gault Middle School students wear their college T-shirts as part of their uniform. Students earn T-shirts by being “caught” displaying good character traits. Gault students also research their future, set goals, choose their college shirt intentionally and keep it. “The dream of college is not on loan, but theirs to keep and nurture,” shared Gault Assistant Principal Tracy Allen.
Gently used and new college T-shirts truly will make the difference for students as do overruns of college pens, hats, pompoms, post cards and more. “Everything college-related will be put to great use,” said Smith-Mosel. “Please share our goal with your alumni association, book store, college newspaper and administration.”
Call Smith-Mosel 253.571.4052 with any questions. Please mail donations to the attention of Rachel Smith-Mosel, instructional facilitator, Gault Middle School, 1115 East Division Lane, Tacoma, WA 98404