30th Anniversary Alumni Spotlights
Alumni Spotlight: Adrienne Carmack
Carmack connects her passion for youth-driven advocacy to her time at Breakthrough.
Alumni Spotlight: Kristen Olivia Ago
Ago describes the Breakthrough community as “impactful, memorable, and passionate.”
Alumni Spotlight: Claire Pasternack Goldsmith
Goldsmith recalls falling in love with teaching as a Breakthrough teaching fellow.
Alumni Spotlight: Kate Bacigalupo
Bacigalupo praises Breakthrough for pushing her to pursue education for the rest of her life.
Alumi Spotlight: David Xin Li
Li describes the Breakthrough community as “Seeds of Inspiration.”
Alumni Spotlight: Miranda Viskatis
Viskatis remembers Breakthrough’s influence on her passion for STEM.
Alumni Spotlight: Hayley Grossman
Grossman praises Breakthrough for motivating her to pursue teaching middle school students.
Alumni Spotlight: John Quinn
Quinn expressed gratitude for the expansive network he has gained through Breakthrough.
Alumni Spotlight: Claire Pasternack Goldsmith
Goldsmith recognizes her time at Breakthrough as the first time she saw herself as a leader and teacher.
Alumni Spotlight: Zoe Russell
Russell thanks Breakthrough for motivating her to advocate for marginalized children through her pursuit of law.
Student Testimonials
Alumi Spotlight: David Xin Li
Li describes the Breakthrough community as “Seeds of Inspiration.”
Alumni Spotlight: Miranda Viskatis
Viskatis remembers Breakthrough’s influence on her passion for STEM.
Alumni Spotlight: Dewayne Green
Green reflects on his enduring Breakthrough spirit and cherished program memories.
Celebrating 30 Years of Breakthroughs: Josh Gresham-Connor
Pausing to acknowledge Breakthrough’s 30th anniversary year is bittersweet. I am so incredibly proud of this program that has been such an important part of my life AND a little resentful of the reminder of just how old I am these days! I’ve been involved with Breakthrough since 1994 and have seen, first-hand, how this joyful, intentional, and transformative community impacts the lives of students and teachers.
Nayeli, Boston Campus Class of 2019
I truly believe I would not be in the position I am today if it had not been for Breakthrough. The profound impact they have had on my life has inspired me to one day create my own nonprofit organization for immigrant students.- Nayeli, Breakthrough Boston...
Thens, Boston Campus Class of 2019
My Breakthrough community has shown me how important and powerful it can be to have a group of supportive people around you long-term. I want to make sure other people have the support they need to overcome life’s challenges. – Thens, Breakthrough Boston Campus class of 2019
Elizabeth, Founding Breakthrough Somerville Student
Breakthrough is a positive, funny, loving community, and an amazing family. I now know that I’m going to succeed and make it to college, stay ahead in my classes, and make my Breakthrough family proud. - Elizabeth, Breakthrough Somerville Campus class of 2024 My...
Christopher Shimizu, Breakthrough Student
"I reflected on my life to try and find something I was passionate about, and I realized that while I did not know it at the time, Breakthrough has had a huge impact on my life." - Christopher Shimizu, Breakthrough Student Alum, Class of 2016 My name is Christopher...
Kevin Xiong Breakthrough Student
" After two summers, I grew from a quiet and soft-spoken middle school kid into a student with high expectations – for my teachers, for my peers, and for myself." - Kevin Xiong, Breakthrough Student Alum, Class of 2017 I often tell others that I became a part...
Thens Duviella, Breakthrough Student
"In school, you don’t always have a chance to communicate with lots of different people but in Breakthrough, everything we do is focused on how we all make up one strong community." - Thens Thens Duviella, Boston Campus, Class of 2019 My name is Thens Duviella and I...
Teacher Testimonials
Alumni Spotlight: Adrienne Carmack
Carmack connects her passion for youth-driven advocacy to her time at Breakthrough.
Alumni Spotlight: Kristen Olivia Ago
Ago describes the Breakthrough community as “impactful, memorable, and passionate.”
Alumni Spotlight: Claire Pasternack Goldsmith
Goldsmith recalls falling in love with teaching as a Breakthrough teaching fellow.
Alumni Spotlight: Kate Bacigalupo
Bacigalupo praises Breakthrough for pushing her to pursue education for the rest of her life.
Alumi Spotlight: David Xin Li
Li describes the Breakthrough community as “Seeds of Inspiration.”
Alumni Spotlight: Hayley Grossman
Grossman praises Breakthrough for motivating her to pursue teaching middle school students.
Alumni Spotlight: John Quinn
Quinn expressed gratitude for the expansive network he has gained through Breakthrough.
Alumni Spotlight: Claire Pasternack Goldsmith
Goldsmith recognizes her time at Breakthrough as the first time she saw herself as a leader and teacher.
Alumni Spotlight: Zoe Russell
Russell thanks Breakthrough for motivating her to advocate for marginalized children through her pursuit of law.
Alumni Spotlight: Abigail Allardi
Allardi points to Breakthrough as a major influence on her teaching style.