Carver Alumni Shine Bright: Reflecting on 2023, the Journey, and the Impactful Present in 2024
Carver alumni attend at Rowayton Connections Party
Looking back on the years that shaped Carver’s achievements today, we can confidently say that Our Proudest Moments Are Theirs.
Our Kindergarten to 12th-grade students show up every day eager to learn, share, and dream. The narratives of Carver graduates illuminate the diverse paths they tread across various fields. Carver’s success as an organization is theirs.
Carver alumni, including those currently navigating the challenges of college life, are leaving an indelible mark in arenas spanning law, government, medicine, finance, entertainment, professional sports, technology, education, entrepreneurship, and the creative arts. One such luminary is Diaghilev Lubin-Farnell, who serves as the Connecticut Assistant Attorney General and contributes to shaping Carver's future through her Carver Board of Directors role.
Each alumni story is a unique tapestry, yet threads of commonality weave through their journeys. These remarkable women and men embody Carver's values, carrying them forward into their careers. Ambitious critical thinkers recognize that achievement is not a mere destination but an ongoing, exhilarating journey.
Ny-Aja at her book signing event at the Norwalk Public Library. Ny-Aja Boyd is a speech-language pathologist, children’s book author, aspiring university professor, and Carver alumna. Ny-Aja graduated 2017 from North Carolina A&T State University, where she double-majored in elementary education and speech-language pathology. She then received her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Sacred Heart University. In Charlotte, North Carolina, Ny-Aja works as a pediatric speech-language pathologist at a private practice outpatient clinic.
In 2024, Carver stands tall, operating over 66 before-school, after-school, and summer programs. These programs reach nearly 3,000 students across Norwalk Public Schools, Side by Side Charter School in Norwalk, the Classical Studies Magnet Academy in Bridgeport, Naugatuck High School, Stamford High School, and the Carver Community Center in Norwalk.
Aligned with in-school curricula and led by certified teachers, Carver's programming extends beyond academics. Recreational, wellness and cultural components enrich children's skills, fostering holistic development. The primary goal remains clear: ensuring all Carver students transition to the next grade on time and adequately prepare for the challenges ahead.
Beyond academics, Carver orchestrates more than 20 community programs and engages in parent-involvement activities throughout the year. Since 2005, every Carver senior has graduated high school on time, with the majority becoming first-generation college students. This commitment to excellence is reflected in Carver consistently earning the highest ratings from reputable organizations such as the Better Business Bureau, Charity Navigator, Guidestar, and other national agencies.
Carver's legacy is the collective triumph of a community-driven educational model. Carver's impact extends far beyond the classroom, creating a legacy that reverberates through the lives of its alumni, enriching communities and shaping a brighter future for generations to come.
Carver’s story was included in the Norwalk Historical Society’s exhibit, Destination Norwalk: African-American Migration from the South, 1940-1970.