From Struggles to Spelling Bee Champion

RISE Augusta works inside schools during the school day, serving as a vital resource to teachers and administrators. Sometimes students start their school journey woefully behind their peers in language development while others are identified in later grades due to reading struggles. In the school where we serve, educators often turn to RISE for targeted remediation and the wraparound supports children often need to succeed. In schools where we’re able to work with the same students over multiple years, the results are nothing short of remarkable!

Just ask Aubree.

When Aubree joined the RISE Augusta program in second grade, she was a quiet, determined learner facing big challenges. Word recognition and phonics didn’t come easily—but what she lacked in skill, she made up for in heart. In our small group setting, Aubree thrived. With every session, her confidence grew.

She remained in the program year after year, blossoming into a strong reader and a leader in her classroom. Then, in fourth grade, something amazing happened—Aubree won her class Spelling Bee! And she didn’t stop there. Representing her class in the school-wide competition, she took home the trophy, outperforming students in third, fourth, and fifth grades.

Now a proud fifth grader, Aubree is reading on grade level, has qualified for the gifted program, and continues to shine. She’s not just a success story—she’s living proof of what happens when students are given consistent, caring support.

Way to go, Aubree—and way to go, RISE!