I often tell people that I live and breathe GEAR UP. Why? Because GEAR UP has been a part of my life now for almost 12 years. I was a GEAR UP student with Nevada GEAR UP. I found my passion for advocacy in college through a GEAR UP alumni group. I worked as a coordinator for GEAR UP, and I am now advocating for GEAR UP programs nationwide in Washington, D.C. at NCCEP. 

For me, GEAR UP + Advocacy have always been a pair, always gone hand in hand. I learned very early on the power of a message, a story, a collective voice in changing systems. Which is why National GEAR UP Week is my favorite and, in my opinion, the most important event of the year. 

Every year, we have the opportunity, as a community, to elevate the voices of our students and families and elevate the work we have all done as educators. We know that #GEARUPworks, we see it every day. But National GEAR UP Week is the opportunity to show our communities, stakeholders, and leaders the power of GEAR UP and to impart on them the importance of GEAR UP and sustaining GEAR UP in communities across the U.S.

“Every September I look forward to my social media feeds filling up with GEAR UP programs across the country[,] celebrating and advocating for the future of our students.” 

                   Laura Kingston, GEAR UP Topeka 

"During NGUW, I love seeing our communities come together and rally around the work we do in GEAR UP. I often express that everyone loves GEAR UP and what we do, but they simply might not know it yet. NGUW is a great way to let people know about the incredible work we do and how its impacting students and families every day." 

                  Brandon Flores, Utah GEAR UP

National GEAR UP Week celebrations have grown and changed over the years. GEAR UP communities use this opportunity to celebrate teachers, host FAFSA events, and celebrate GEAR UP on the steps of state capitals. Last year, as we all know, we had to change things a bit, but the celebrations didn’t stop. GEAR UP programs highlighted the success of GEAR UP at virtual school board meetings, #GEARUPworks yard signs covered cities across America, and drive-through FAFSA events were hosted in school parking lots. The strength and resilience of the GEAR UP community was clear. 

"In the past during NGUW, we have engaged the community by gathering business, educator, and leadership voices in an #iheartGEARUP campaign. We had local comedians, politicians, university presidents and more participate in this campaign to help celebrate our students.  We’ve also highlighted students with a video and poster campaign that we dubbed #MyGEARUPstory, where parents and students alike shared their experiences and testimonials about their participation in GEAR UP." 

              Brandon Flores, Utah GEAR UP

This year, we want to celebrate you.

This is an official call to action! We are hosting a virtual GEAR UP March Across America, and we need you to represent your community and the national GEAR UP community. The action is simple: Send us a 10-second video that represents your GEAR UP community.

What does that mean? We want to see your community! We want to create a video that represents every state and a GEAR UP program as we March Across America, highlighting what we’re proud of. It could be things like …

• A gallery-mode video of a virtual workshop or meeting 
• A video of a drive through event (Did you do a drive through FAFSA event last year? If so, send us a video of it!)
• A short video highlighting a unique student club at your school
• A short video of you welcoming students back to school
• A photo of a recent GEAR UP event 
• A video of GEAR UP students, families, or educators at a school event (ex. pep rally, football game, etc)
• And more!

 The sky is the limit! Get creative and show off your unique communities. 

“The GEAR UP virtual march across America will create a wave of unity to remind us that our GEAR UP programs aren’t alone! Together we can show how GEAR UP makes a meaningful difference.”

          Laura Kingston, GEAR UP Topeka

We need YOU to participate.

We will be working hard over the next few months to help you plan your local events and celebrations and supporting your submissions for the call to action! 

So tune into our webinar at the end of the month, and let us know if you have any questions or want to brainstorm ideas for your community's video submission.

Register Here for the National GEAR UP Week Webinar.