ST. CHARLES, Mo. (Aug.6, 2024) – Following a statewide nomination and selection process, Hume High School college and career advisor Janine Castillo was awarded the 2024 Advisor of the Year by rootEd Missouri for her exemplary efforts to help high school students in rural communities develop and achieve strong plans for life after graduation.

rootEd Missouri is a collaborative effort among national organization rootEd Alliance, Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC), and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The effort is designed to boost long-term outcomes for all students in rural communities by placing dedicated college and career advisors, called rootEd advisors, in rural high schools to provide students with individualized support to develop a path to achieve career success and economic stability. During the 2024-2025 school year, rootEd Missouri will serve students at 130 participating high schools.

A graduate of Hume High School, Castillo takes seriously her role to give back to her school and community. Castillo is recognized for her efforts to tailor her advising to the unique interests and circumstances of each student. In addition to supporting students to identify career paths, apply for education and training programs following graduation, and secure financial aid, she planned and hosted numerous college and career-focused events for students and families.

Among those events, Castillo organized a “Reality Day,” where students from regional high schools learned about adult responsibilities, like budgeting, and networked with representatives from local businesses. She also coordinated college tours, “Lunch and Learn” sessions with industry leaders, and monthly after-hours sessions to help students and families complete applications and other programming to support success following graduation.

As a result of Castillo’s impressive efforts:

  • 100% of seniors at Hume High School completed a post-graduation plan, meaning all applied to at least one institution for further training or education, career training, or military service.
  • 92.3% of Hume High School seniors submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in 2024, compared to 46% of all seniors across Missouri.
  • There has been a 41% increase in two- and four-year college enrollment since Hume High School began participating in rootEd Missouri three years ago.

Castillo’s work has received national praise. Hume earned the 2023 American College Application Campaign School of Excellence Award for its work to increase the number of high school seniors applying to college through the Apply Missouri program. Hume was the only participating school to have a 100% application rate.

“Janine Castillo has had a tremendous positive impact on our students’ futures and their preparation for them, as well as the college and career preparation provided by the district,” said Hume R-VIII School District Superintendent Scott Morrison. “Our community realizes what a great program rootEd is and what a fantastic job Janine does with the program. I know we will be reaping the benefits for many years to come.”

In addition to naming the Advisor of the Year, rootEd Missouri also awarded Unity Seay, the rootEd advisor at Fair Play High School, with the “Innovation Award” for her creative approaches to fostering connections and providing information to students and families, and Candy Bothwell, the rootEd advisor at Macks Creek High School, with the “110% Award” for going above and beyond to advance rootEd’s mission.

The awards ceremony took place alongside rootEd Missouri’s statewide advisor training in St. Charles.

“Students in rural communities often face unique barriers to accessing and achieving success after high school,” said OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon. “Missouri is working to address this head-on with the help of inspiring advisors like Janine, Unity, and Candy. We are grateful for their dedication to not only their students but to their communities and the state at large.”

“When students graduate with a clear path to a strong career, they unlock opportunities for lifelong success. And when our workforce is highly skilled, our economy thrives, our communities prosper, and our entire state is better positioned for the future,” said Missouri Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger. “rootEd Missouri is making a real impact–and we owe our thanks to hardworking, innovative advisors like Janine, Unity, and Candy.”

“The incredible passion, knowledge, and creativity that rootEd advisors bring to their students every day shifts mindsets about what is possible following their graduation—and helps turn those ideas into plans through help with applications, financial aid, and other concrete steps,” said Noa Meyer, board chair for rootEd Alliance. “We are especially impressed with Janine, Unity, and Candy, and congratulate them.”

 

About rootEd Alliance
Every student should graduate high school on a path to achieve career success and economic stability. rootEd Alliance places dedicated college and career advisors in rural high schools to work with all students to define and plan their futures, whether through a college degree, work-based learning, or military service. Launched in 2018 and now operating in Missouri, Texas, and Idaho, 183 rootEd advisors have served 40,000 students at 192 high schools. This approach is working: 82% of rootEd students are on track to securing a career that provides a living wage, compared to 41% of all working 21-to 24-year-olds currently earning a living wage. Further, in the 2022 school year, rootEd schools saw a 10% increase in two- and four-year college-going compared to a 6% national decline over the same period. rootEd Alliance is made possible by a group of philanthropists and family and founder-led businesses, convened by BDT & MSD Partners. For more information, please visit: https://rootEdAlliance.org.