Passing the Torch 2026
This is YWCA Brooklyn’s largest graduating class ever of 30 graduating seniors.
The end of the academic year welcomes a gathering of YW LEADers and Alumni in the YWCA Brooklyn Community Room for our annual “Passing the Torch” ceremony—a moment of celebration, reflection, and transition. Passing the torch is the time to honor our graduates as they step into a new season with their education. It is time to come together as a community, not only recognizing the hard work these young leaders have accomplished. But also, to continue to guide them through their success in the future.
This is YWCA Brooklyn’s largest graduating class ever of 30 graduating seniors. From this graduating class, six students were accepted into opportunity programs such as EOP, HEOP, SEEK, ASAP, and ACE. Fourteen students are pursuing STEM majors, including Psychology, Nursing, Biology, Computer Science, and Mechanical Engineering. Five students are heading into Business or Marketing, while another five are studying Education, Music, or Illustration. Additionally, two students will be majoring in Criminal Justice. In total, 30 seniors will be graduating from 7 High Schools across NYC. We are incredibly proud of all they will become.
This year, opening remarks were presented by our YWCA Brooklyn LEAD Alumni Zenzele Franklin. Zenzele is a Program Manager at Navigate the Maze to Achievement, and a graduate of Binghamton University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development. She was a member of the YW Brooklyn LEAD program's very first cohort and interned with the program, planning events, sitting on panels, and partnering with local organizations.
Many YW Brooklyn LEAD Alumni attend the event for the symbolic passing of the torch to our college-bound graduates. This moment represents the continuation of leadership, growth, and sisterhood as one generation inspires the next.
Sarah Barratt, the college access coordinator for the 12th graders in YWCA Brooklyn’s Lead College Access and Leadership Program announced seniors receiving scholarships and high honors. Through our partnership with New York Community Trust, we awarded 6 students each with $5,000 scholarships per year for all 4 years, to be used for tuition or other educational expenses. Congratulations to Analise, Sandy, Anisa, Brianna, Cristina and Leslie.
Because of support from the Road to 120, we awarded 6 graduating seniors $30,000 total in grants to help close their financial aid gaps and attend their dream schools. Congratulations to Laniaya, Tasmia, Anabella, Tamia, Mahalia and Lillian.
Additionally, 6 of our outstanding leaders received the Making the Impossible Possible Scholarship after participating in an on-the-spot scholarship pitch in March earlier this year. Congratulations to Sydney, Sandy, Rebecca, Maia, Leslie and Brianna.
The keynote address was delivered by YW Brooklyn LEAD 2025 High School Senior Brianna, the Valedictorian, who reminded her fellow LEADers that “there is no limitation in this world that can stop you from becoming or pursuing who you were meant to be.” Brianna, along with our Salutatorian - Anisa Vasieva, and our YWCA Student Leader - Iqra Toqeer, have been meaningfully active in programing, attended over 15 community service opportunities, and have been dedicated to making a difference in their communities.
This year we received special donations to gift to the graduating class as they begin their college journeys: thank you to Sony Music for donating 30 Sony headphones, to Rocketbook for donating 30 reusable note pads, and to EOS – for donating feminine products for the entire class. A special presentation was also given from ACES fraternity , a NYPD public civilian group who presented baskets to the students.
The Class of 2026 will always rise above and beyond our expectations. This is a group of powerful young women ready to change the world one degree at a time.
“ There is no limitation in this world that can stop you from becoming or pursuing who you were meant to be.”