TEMPLE, Texas — Temple High School senior Jamarri Thrasher will join a very select group of students from across the country when he participates in the Harvard Undergraduate Ventures TECH Summer Program this summer.
Thrasher was recently notified of his acceptance into the program, which only accepts about 15 percent of applicants to participate. The online program pairs students with cutting-edge startups for internships across a wide variety of disciplines and industries. In addition to the internship, Thrasher will also receive one-on-one mentorship from experts in fields related to technology and entrepreneurship and have the opportunity to participate in seminars and workshops run by company founders, investors, and Harvard University professors. According to the Harvard Undergraduate Ventures-TECH website, students participating in the summer program will solve a real-world challenge by building a project or product from scratch over the course of their internship. Thrasher has already started his own clothing line and is honored to be selected to participate in the program.
“When I found out I was accepted, I was shocked, and my mother was so happy because this is such an incredible opportunity,” Thrasher said, “I will have a chance to work with venture-capital based startups and be mentored by professionals. It is about a five-week program, and I feel so ready. I just want to thank Temple for preparing me and everyone who has been part of helping me make this happen.”
Thrasher received a scholarship from Harvard to help cover some of the cost of attendance, but he also had to fundraise to be able to participate. Temple High School staff members helped start a fundraising campaign for Thrasher and the Temple Chamber of Commerce’s Temple Futures Grant also contributed $1,000 to help clear the way for Thrasher to attend the program. He says he is extremely grateful for the support and intends to return for a reflection and presentation to that organization after he completes the summer program.
“We take care of our own in Temple, Texas, and this is an example. The Temple Chamber of Commerce, Temple ISD staff, and community members, saw a student with talent and work ethic, a need/opportunity, and rallied for him. This is one of the things that makes Temple ISD special. This level of compassion and partnership is beyond compare and we are truly grateful,” Dr. Bobby Ott, superintendent of schools for Temple ISD said. “I want to thank everyone for supporting Jamarri. I have witnessed his development over the years and am confident he will go to Harvard and ‘Spread the Empire’.”
Thrasher has also served as president of Temple High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter and is active with the THS chapter of Business Professionals of America (BPA). He is a two-time qualifier for the FBLA Virtual Business Challenge – Management National Competition.