ITY Mark Twain Jr. High School Impact Update: February 2026
- Mar 18
- 3 min read
Month in Review: Building Habits & Envisioning the Future
February at Mark Twain Jr. High School was all about looking ahead while leaning on the Brotherhood in the present. From an immersive, full-day college tour to hands-on workshops about connection and resilience, our young men are building the habits they need to succeed long after they leave our classrooms.
Envisioning the Future: College Tour Recap - Campus Exploration Day
Our IYT Brothers recently participated in an exciting college tour experience, giving them the opportunity to explore a university campus, learn about college life, and begin envisioning their own futures in higher education!
The action-packed day started with an 8:00 AM departure and breakfast on the road. Once on campus, students split into groups to rotate through different parts of the college experience. One group participated in an IYT student-led campus tour, learning about academic buildings and student resources, while the other group enjoyed lunch at the Dining Commons to see what a typical college dining hall is like.
After switching rotations, students had free time to explore the Bowling Center, the campus bookstore, and the football field. The experience helped our Brothers begin to truly visualize themselves in a college environment, reinforcing the importance of academic preparation!
The Power of Connection: Brotherhood String Activity
This month’s Brotherhood theme focused on building habits, direction, and persistence toward college readiness. Through our workshop, Brothers explored how success in school and college is not achieved alone.
During the session, students participated in a meaningful string activity that visually represented the importance of connection and support. As Brothers passed the string and shared reflections, they were able to see how each person plays a role in strengthening the group. The workshop reinforced important social-emotional learning skills such as self-awareness, empathy, and help-seeking, reminding the group that true strength includes supporting one another and remaining persistent when challenges arise.
A Scholar's Focus: Brother Jesus
We would like to recognize Brother Jesus for his incredibly strong academic performance and dedication to his studies this semester! He is demonstrating excellent academic achievement across a challenging schedule, maintaining high grades and strong effort in multiple subjects.
Brother Jesus has shown a clear commitment to his education by staying engaged in class and maintaining consistent performance. His effort reflects strong discipline, responsibility, and academic focus, setting a great example for his peers. Keep up the great work, Brother Jesus!
Brother of the Month
Brother Samuel
8th Grade
Brother Samuel is our Brother of the Month for his leadership, consistency, and daily support in helping set up our weekly convenience store for the Brothers!
During study hall, students check in with their computers, receive their assignments, and use tickets they’ve earned (through good behavior, consistency, bringing another IYT Brother, and completing missing assignments) to purchase snacks and drinks. Brother Samuel has played a massive, hands-on role in helping create this positive and motivating space for his peers. We are so proud of his leadership!
Program Directory & Schedules
Program Manager: Sha'Lena Evans
Phone: 916-595-4381
Mark Twain Jr. High School
Programming & Study Hall: Mondays & Wednesdays
Mentor & Parent Engagement
Number of Parent Engagement Sessions: | 49 |
Number of Mentor Sessions: | 53 |