MIDWAY, GA. — From June 11–20, Khaden Sapp-Polite, of Midway, joined outstanding high school students from across the nation to take part in a unique academic development experience, the Urban Sustainability Academy, on the campus of Rice University.
Urban Sustainability Academy is one of the Envision by WorldStrides family of programs (www. envisionexperience.com) that enable students to explore their interests and experience learning beyond the classroom.
A rising sophomore at Liberty County High School in Hinesville, Sapp-Polite received his nomination to attend the Urban Sustainability Academy at Rice University in Houston, Texas, in October 2021. In addition to being an honor student at Liberty County High School, Sapp-Polite is also a member of the Top Teens of America — Bryan/Liberty Chapter and currently serves as the Top Teens of America Area IV Chaplain. He is also a member of Scholars in Action with the Sigma Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., of Hinesville. Sapp-Polite is passionate about sports and enjoys playing basketball.
The Urban Sustainability Academy was a 10-day academic development experience filled with workshops, research, activities and a final presentation that allowed outstanding high school students to immerse themselves in the life and path of many types of conservationists around the world. With dreams of becoming a mechanical engineer, Sapp-Polite enjoyed the opportunity to gain hands-on experience conducting biodiversity assessments, proposing sustainable design solutions to Rice University’s campus, and building a prototype to showcase ideas for making Houston a more sustainable, fairer place to live by 2030, following the guidelines provided by the National Park City Foundation.
“As an alumna of Envision myself, I was excited for Sapp-Polite to meet, work, and collaborate with other high-aspiring students from across the country and the globe,” said Amanda Freitag Thomas, SVP for Envision. “Hands down, my favorite part of attending an Envision program was being with motivated students in an environment designed to help us challenge our assumptions, meet new people, and grow. Creating that same learning environment is a central focus for all of our programs.
“At Rice University Urban Sustainability Academy — Powered by Envision, students build the confidence and skills needed to excel at college and in the workplace. They learn how to adapt to and communicate in new situations, to new challenges, and with new people, which, given how rapidly the world is changing due to technology and innovation, are essential skills for success.”
For over 35 years, Envision by WorldStrides has empowered extraordinary students to become their best selves through programs that enable them to discover their passion, explore a career, and positively impact their world. In 2018, Envision became part of the WorldStrides family. The largest provider of educational travel and experiences in the United States, WorldStrides works with over 50,000 educators each year to help more than 550,000 students see the world — and themselves — in new ways.
Sapp-Polite is the son of Dr. Karla L. Sapp and the grandson of Charles and Fascia Sapp, all of Midway.