Game Changers Leadership and Peer Mentoring Initiative

Students in the Game Changers organization who attain a cumulative 3.0 minimum GPA and 30 hours of community service during the current school year (as well as obtain high marks in the other areas of their academic and social portfolio) have the distinct honor to be put in the running for a scholarship and an expenses-paid trip to the ESPYS.

This experience is meant to showcase possible professional paths for student-athletes who may be considering a career affiliated with sports. Viewing USC, UCLA, museums, recording studios, YouTube, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, and dining at infamous Los Angeles eateries (such as In and Out Burger and Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles) always adds to the experience. No year is quite the same, as each student helps to shape the experience in LA.

The Academy provides seminars and personal help to students and their parents in taking those next steps. Over eight months, Game Changers host hybrid programming comprised of in-person seminars for students and parents, virtual appointments, as well as one-on-one meetings to help students choose one of four paths: College, Military, Apprenticeship, or Workforce Readiness. The in-person seminars are comprised of college recruiters, military personnel, program directors, trade advisors, and career counselors. Our professional partner, MyPath (Mahoning Valley College Access Program), will assist with career matching so that we may further assist students with the need to properly identify college majors. In addition to the summits, parents and students have meetings with Game Changers staff and partners to assist with the following: FAFSA, Early determination deadline, scholarships, and university analysis: cost, majors, student support systems, college tours, ASVAB, etc.