Alumni
Richie Gallant
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In high school, Richie engrossed himself in a variety of activities. Richie channeled his passion for sports into a meaningful service project with the Special Olympics. Richie spent three years coaching, traveling, and interacting with the athletes, building bonds that stretched far beyond the basketball court or soccer field. Richie also participated in a yearlong program, Cultural Leadership, hat brought together local Jewish and African American students in an effort to bridge the economic, racial, social, and educational barriers that divide the St. Louis area. Through the program Richie had the opportunity to spend a day at an all black high school where the disparities in resources and learning environment were eye opening and moving. Not satisfied to dwell on what he saw, Richie started Students Working For A Purpose (SWAP), a student run peer-to-peer tutoring program that brought together students from the suburbs with students from the inner-city to foster discussion and dialogue while providing free tutoring services. Richie also spoke on his experiences at local organization spreading his message to audiences ranging from high school students to adults.
In Nashville, Richie hopes to continue to bridge the "Achievement Gap" by working with inner city students of the Nashville public school districts. He also hopes to build on his interest in dentistry as a possible career by getting involved with service projects that involve local dental specialists.