From the very first class to Coach of the Year. Congratulations, Samatar Ali!

Five years ago, Samatar walked through the doors of Larita Academy as a participant in our inaugural 2021 cohort.

After graduating, Samatar joined our Alumni Advisory Working Group, then stepped into a Program Coordinator role, playing a central part in building the Larita Academy Alumni Program from the ground up. This year, he took on the role of coach.

In his very first year, the Class of 2026 voted him Coach of the Year. By a landslide.

That vote comes entirely from the young people themselves. They choose the person who inspired them most. This year, without hesitation, they chose the person who once sat exactly where they sat.

Samatar said after winning:

"A full circle moment I'll never forget. Still hard to believe. Class of '26 will always have a special place in my heart."

This is what Larita Academy is built for. Not just a program young people move through, but a community they grow into. Samatar's journey, from student to builder to coach, is proof of what becomes possible when opportunity meets character.