The Power of Real Role Models
Research shows that teens with positive role models are more likely to succeed in school, manage emotions better, and avoid risky behavior. Having someone to look up to, someone they can talk to and trust, helps them handle challenges and see a future for themselves. View Study here: Negative adult influences and the protective effects of role models: A study with urban adolescents.
The study also revealed something important about gender.
Girls who had female role models performed better in school. Seeing women achieve academically and professionally gave them confidence and motivation to do the same. Boys, too, benefit from strong male role models who model respect, responsibility, and healthy masculinity. When they see those qualities in action, they’re more likely to practice them themselves.
What PEAK Provides
At PEAK, we take this research to heart.
Our model doesn’t stop at funding tuition. Each PEAK scholar receives a full scholarship to Holy Trinity High School and is paired with a dedicated mentor who commits to four years of guidance and encouragement.
That mentor becomes an important role model, someone who listens, shows up, and models integrity and perseverance. Whether it’s a man showing a young scholar how to manage setbacks with grace or a woman showing what leadership looks like, these examples matter.
This mentorship changes how scholars see themselves and what they believe they can achieve. It creates stability and support at a critical time in their lives.
Why Sponsorship Matters
When you sponsor a PEAK scholar, you fund more than education.
You give a student access to a trusted adult who models success, kindness, and accountability. You ensure that mentorship and scholarship go hand in hand—helping each student grow into their full potential.
Every sponsorship builds a bridge between opportunity and belief.
Take Action
Your support can provide both a scholarship and a mentor for a student who needs one.
Be part of their story of growth, learning, and resilience.
Sponsor a Scholar: https://peakchicago.org/invest-in-peak/
