The Rao Foundation was honored to serve as the Secondary Student of the Year Sponsor at the 2026 Stay In School Banquet, hosted by Communities In Schools of North Texas (CISNT). The annual banquet celebrates the students, educators, and volunteers whose stories embody the power of investing in young people, and we were proud to stand alongside this remarkable community of support.
For more than three decades, CISNT has worked inside schools across Denton, Wise, and Cooke Counties to surround at-risk students with the resources, mentorship, and encouragement they need to stay in school and thrive. Through full-time Site Coordinators on each campus, the organization addresses the academic, behavioral, social, emotional, and basic-needs barriers that can stand between a student and graduation. The results speak for themselves: 99% of CISNT students stay in school and on track for graduation each year, a track record sustained across more than 60 high-need campuses and seven North Texas school districts.
That mission is exactly the kind of work The Rao Foundation believes in. As CISNT puts it best: when caring educators, volunteers, business leaders, and community champions come together, we do more than help students succeed in school — we help them build strong foundations for bright and thriving futures where they can truly bloom. And it comes full circle: when we invest in students today, they succeed tomorrow and, in time, go on to lead and strengthen the very communities that once supported them.
Celebrating the 2026 Secondary Student of the Year
One of the highlights of the evening was honoring CISNT’s 2026 Secondary Student of the Year — a young person whose perseverance, growth, and resilience reflect everything this work is about. We invite you to take a few minutes to hear their story directly:
You can also read the full Secondary Student of the Year story on the CISNT website.
Get Involved with CISNT
If CISNT’s mission resonates with you, there are several upcoming opportunities to engage with their community of support:
- Back to School Breakfast — Thursday, July 30, 2026
- Stay In School Banquet — Friday, April 23, 2027
To learn more about Communities In Schools of North Texas, watch the impact of their work, or find ways to give and volunteer, visit cisnt.org. The Rao Foundation is grateful to be part of this community, and we look forward to continuing to support the students, families, and educators who make North Texas a place where every child has the chance to bloom.