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It’s not too late to join The Raise Up Project! If you are 15-22 years old, we invite you to speak to why so many young people are leaving high school before graduation.

Although graduation rates have been increasing, it’s not enough. Too many young people are leaving high school without graduating. Youth are often isolated, alienated and silent. We want you to be a part of changing that trend.

We are proud to be a partner on this project and are asking you to help take on the drop out crisis by submitting a video of yourself performing an original rap or spoken word poem on the topic of young people not graduating (or leaving before coming back to get their degree).

So far there have been a ton of powerful submissions. Here are our 10 favorite so far:

Brian Martinez

Zhane Gay

Apple Amos
Selene Moron
Bao Luong
Madeline Cramer
Ethan Anderson
Russhaun Johnson
Torianna Buttery
Matt Coonan

The campaign isn’t over yet. You have until the end of June to join the conversation. Continue to submit your poems and raps! Tell us if you think it’s important to get your degree, and what barriers are in your way and/or in the way of so many young people to accomplishing that goal.

The American public and special guest judges – including Rosario Dawson and Russell Simmons – will vote for their favorite pieces. Five winners will receive a $5,000 educational scholarship, a trip to Washington D.C. to perform at the Kennedy Center on September 28, and the opportunity to be featured in a National Public Radio series. Submit your video through June 30 to have your story heard.

Learn more at RaiseUpProject.org