Building Leaders Here: Donors Raise $47,000 for Kairos Seniors
- Stuart Murray
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Earlier this month, the Kairos community came together for an unforgettable evening of celebration, storytelling, and generosity at our second annual fundraising gala: Building Leaders Here.
Hosted once again at the beautiful Rung for Women, this year’s gala focused on one powerful theme—investing in St. Louis, one leader at a time. Together with families, donors, and local community partners, we raised an incredible $47,000 to support our founding class of students as they prepare to enter their senior year.
These funds will directly cover the costs of essential senior milestones, including:
College applications, ACT, and AP test fees
Dual enrollment tuition
Career exploration trips and college visits
Senior trips and capstone experiences
These aren’t just perks—they’re critical opportunities that ensure every Kairos graduate can confidently tackle what comes next.
A Spotlight on Student Leadership
A highlight of the evening was the keynote speech delivered by Ashanti Nurse, a rising senior at Kairos whose dream is to become a cardiac surgeon. With confidence and clarity beyond her years, Ashanti spoke about her journey through Kairos—how she discovered her purpose, built a plan, and found the mentorship to bring her goals into reach.
At Kairos, this kind of intentional planning is the norm. Through a combination of personalized mentoring, hands-on learning, and career-connected experiences, our students don’t just dream big—they build step-by-step pathways to turn those dreams into reality.
Why We Say “Building Leaders Here”
This gala wasn’t just about raising funds. It was about showcasing what makes Kairos different. At Kairos, students explore their values and interests, connect their education to the real world, and design meaningful plans for life after high school.
And they do it right here in St. Louis.
We’re not outsourcing leadership development—we’re nurturing it in our classrooms, our city, and our students. Ashanti’s story is just one example of the impact this approach can have. There are dozens more just like hers across our founding class and beyond.
Thank You, St. Louis
We’re filled with gratitude for every parent, educator, donor, and community partner who helped make this event such a success. Together, we’re building something powerful—not just for our students, but for the future of our city.
Thank you for believing in what’s possible when we invest in the next generation of leaders—right here, right now.
