Elevate Indianapolis Alumni Spotlight: Mariana, Arsenal Tech ’22

Elevate Alumni Spotlight: Purdue Poly Grad Victoria Anderson on College, Work and Finding Her Path

Elevate Indianapolis President and CEO Aaron Story continues the 10th anniversary alumni series with a focus on Purdue Poly High School. This episode features Victoria Anderson, a 2025 Purdue Poly graduate now attending Founders College at Butler University, and co-interviewer Gabe Story, a Purdue Poly alumnus and current Hanover College student. Victoria shares her journey graduating high school early, balancing college and work, becoming a first-generation college student, and building a future rooted in purpose, discipline and community connection in Indianapolis.

Imani’s Journey: From Elevate Indianapolis to a Future in Nursing

Imani, a George Washington High School graduate and IU Indianapolis student, joins Elevate Indianapolis President Aaron Story and co-host Calvin Washington to share how perseverance, faith, and family shaped her path toward a career in public health and nursing. In this episode of “10 Years of Long-Term Life-Changing Legacy of Elevate,” she opens up about overcoming academic setbacks, discovering her purpose, and how Elevate’s mentorship helped her thrive through adversity.

Chris Estrada’s Story: From Homeless Teen to Union Ironworker

Union ironworker Chris Estrada joins Elevate Indianapolis President Aaron Story and co-host Calvin Washington to share his inspiring journey from homelessness on Indy’s west side to building a thriving career and mentoring others. A 2019 Arsenal Tech graduate, Estrada reflects on lessons from Elevate mentors, how hard work and integrity shaped his life, and what “thriving” really means. This episode celebrates 10 years of Elevate Indy’s long-term, life-changing legacy.

“Sometimes You Can’t Take No for an Answer”: Lessons from David Leye

Elevate Indianapolis presents another inspiring story in our 10-year legacy series. Elevate Indianapolis President Aaron Story and co-host Calvin Washington sit down with David Leye, a George Washington High School graduate and college basketball player at the City College of New York. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, and raised on the west side of Indianapolis, Le reflects on his journey from being cut from multiple basketball teams to earning his spot on a college roster. He shares how discipline, faith, and family shaped his resilience—and how thriving means pushing forward when life doesn’t go as planned.

Elevate Indianapolis Alumni Spotlight: Mariana, Arsenal Tech ’22

In this Elevate Indianapolis alumni podcast, President and CEO Aaron Story and co-host Calvin Washington speak with Mariana, a 2022 Arsenal Tech graduate and current senior at the University of Indianapolis. Mariana reflects on her journey growing up in Fountain Square, attending local schools including William McKinley School 39 and Harshman Middle School, and eventually graduating from Arsenal Tech. Now preparing to graduate in 2026 with a degree in elementary education and a minor in child and youth programming, she shares how her family and community have been her foundation through challenges such as childhood medical issues, a serious car accident, and the demands of her education major. She talks about the impact of Elevate programs, from her early involvement through her older sister at Harshman, to her own experiences with classes, mentorship, and internships that confirmed her calling as a teacher. Mariana highlights the role of mentors like Ms. Garza, Bralyn, and Jackson in shaping her path and preparing her for leadership. In this conversation, she emphasizes the importance of perseverance, support systems, and the lessons learned through both family and community. She also offers insights into what it means to thrive as a young adult, the challenges facing youth in Indianapolis, and why investing in kids is critical for the city’s future. This episode is part of the “Long-Term Life-Changing Legacies” series, celebrating Elevate Indianapolis alumni who are becoming thriving contributors to their communities.