The first draft of a college essay is just a beginning. Strong writing is a process that requires reflection, revision, and trusted feedback.
For many of our high school scholars, that process unfolded inside Taft’s downtown Cleveland offices, where their drafts were met with careful attention and genuine encouragement.
This second session of our College Essay Writing Workshop built on December’s kickoff at Garrett Morgan, where scholars first began shaping their ideas. This time, they arrived at Taft with essays in hand and spent an hour one-on-one with attorneys – more than 20 team members, from partners to associates – who read closely, offered edits, and asked thoughtful questions that elevated their work from good to compelling.
“The visit to Taft was an incredible experience for our scholars,” said Lead Coordinator Celia. “They gained confidence in their writing, a clearer understanding of the essay process, and felt genuinely supported.”
Jacob, a Max S. Hayes High School scholar, shared, “I’m really grateful for the opportunity to work with people who took the time to listen and support my ideas.” For Alesha, the impact was personal: “Their guidance gave me the confidence to share my story and think about my essay in a new way.”
Taft associate Khouloude Abboud reflected, “It was both a privilege and an honor to be trusted by the students to provide advice, edits, and feedback on one of the most important pieces they have written to date… Our hope is to continue to inspire and support ODA students in their pursuit of higher education.”
When companies open their doors in meaningful ways, opportunity becomes tangible. At Taft, scholars strengthened their essays and began to see themselves in professional spaces to which they may one day return.
To learn more about volunteering with Open Doors Academy, contact Joe Hollings, Senior Director of Engagement, at jhollings@odacle.org.
