News
The YOP White House Representative
Former Youth of Promise mentee Dalon Poole, accompanied by Armory Center for the Arts Executive Director Scott Ward, recently traveled to the White House to accept the prestigious National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from First Lady Michelle Obama.
The honor, given annually to only 12 programs from all over the country, recognizes the impact of Armory’s Art High program, which provides free after-school art classes to Pasadena youth that may not have access to arts education otherwise.
Dalon was one of the first Youth of Promise mentees when he was a 6th grader at Washington Middle School. He was placed in a mentoring group with the Pasadena Fire Department and later with the La Pintoresca Teen Center, where he discovered the Armory and his love for the arts. The relationships he formed through mentoring motivated Dalon to do better in school and pursue his passions. Now, Dalon is a professional photographer for the Armory and helps other students who want to become artists follow their dreams.
Keep up the awesome work, Dalon!