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Guiding students along the path to success
A bridge to the future with The Legacy Project
January 2026
When freshmen from the fifth cohort of The Legacy Project first poured into the ScottsMiracle-Gro world headquarters, they may have wondered if the trip was worth getting up early that day.
But as they explored the grounds – placing basil seeds into fertile soil, discussing marketing roles with our associates or handling an African giant millipede for the first time – the vision of the program came into focus: to provide a holistic approach that builds a clear path to success.
The results are undeniable. The 2025 graduating cohort from Whitehall Yearling High School hosted its first valedictorian and the second salutatorian. The number of Legacy graduates enrolled in college exceeds the district average of 50%, and the others have found full-time employment.
Doug Shoemaker, director of legal affairs and partnerships at Whitehall City Schools, notes that the high expectations set by The Legacy Project encourage excellence. The collective GPA of Legacy graduates is almost a full point higher than their peers. But academic expectations alone are not enough to change the trajectories of students in underserved areas.
The Legacy Project goes beyond academics, creating a model of holistic intervention through three pillars: career strategies, one-on-one coaching and financial support. These aspects work together to build the program’s foundation of success.
A destination to dream about
The program’s Incubator Labs bring students to local companies, allowing them to interact directly with professionals. Kodjo Koussi, salutatorian of the class of 2025, said a visit to S-E-A in Columbus fanned the flames of his dream to pursue a computer science major.
“S-E-A just gave me insight into the professional world,” he says. “I knew that if I were to go to college, get my degree, I could someday work at a fantastic place like S-E-A and get to do even bigger things with tech.”
A guide to clear the way
The Incubator Labs may allow students to decide on a destination, but one-on-one coaching enables students to navigate the often rocky terrain on their paths. Coaches meet with students regularly to help them break down goals that seem overwhelming into actionable steps or find ways through the very real obstacles they might encounter.
“Relationship building is the key to having any kind of impact on young people,” says Teresa Scott, coach and mentor to students in The Legacy Project. “You have to build that trust, showing them that you care about them by being consistent in their lives.”
Teresa went the extra mile for Jasmine Fisher, 2025 Legacy graduate, during a personal tragedy, even attending family gatherings to show her support. This consistency was instrumental in keeping Jasmine on track when she needed it the most.
Doug Shoemaker says, “Research has repeatedly shown that the most important indicator for a kid’s success in school is having at least one person that they really are dying to impress.”
Resources for the journey
The relationships between the students and the coaches are very stable, as the program does not see a lot of turnover, due in large part to the steady financial support the program receives from The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and The Hagedorn Legacy Foundation. Beyond supporting its staff, the program gives students a monthly stipend to encourage them to learn financial literacy.
“At first, it was hard for me to choose how to use the stipend, but it allowed me to prioritize my needs,” says Jasmine. “The lessons I learned affect the way I handle money now.”
The final beam in The Legacy’s Project bridge to a brighter future is the college scholarship. This scholarship continues to support the students through their higher education journey, providing them with lasting support as they begin their careers.
The path forward
The fifth cohort left ready to set out to find paths that will allow them to thrive during their time at Whitehall Yearling High School. The Legacy Project model has proven successful for almost a decade. It provides a “proof of concept” and a potential roadmap for students to achieve their goals even against adversity.
We’re excited to see where it takes these graduates for many years to come.
