NASHVILLE — Seventy-eight graduating seniors in the YMCA Achievers program in Nashville secured $6.2 million in scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. The students were honored at the annual YMCA Achievers Scholarship Celebration in June 2026.
The Achievers program, operated by YMCA Community Action Programs (Y-CAP) and based in east Nashville, supports high school students in exploring college and career pathways, developing self-esteem, and planning for their futures. Of the 208 students enrolled in the program during the 2025-2026 school year, 87 were seniors preparing to attend college or enter the workforce.
In addition to scholarships, YMCA donors awarded $50,000 directly to students to cover expenses not included in scholarship awards, such as equipment and supplies needed for their post-graduation plans. Achievers Advisors work with students to identify scholarships and vocational or technical opportunities.
"We are very excited about securing $6.2 million for graduating seniors in our Achievers program this year," said Jordan Waller, Y-CAP Associate Executive Director. "The work of our Achievers Advisors is so critical in helping these young scholars complete scholarship applications to access the financial support needed to realize their academic goals."
Y-CAP provides literacy tutoring, social and emotional learning, and college and career readiness resources at no cost to K–12 students across Middle Tennessee. The organization’s efforts take place in a state where the average student-to-counselor ratio is 403:1. Some of the institutions the students plan to attend include the University of Southern California, Belmont University, Tennessee State University, Cumberland University, Fisk University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Emory University.