Root 2 Rise changed my life.” said Dietrich Swain, 18, a recent graduate of Vel Phillips Memorial High School in Madison, Wisconsin.

Swain said he was bullied in middle school. As a freshman and sophomore, he wasn’t interested in classes and was unlikely to graduate.

“My attitude toward teachers was really bad,” he said.

Helping younger students for two years at One City Schools changed everything. “I’m more confident” and eager to “get out there and help people. I want to make sure I’m doing my best.”

He’s interested in becoming a teacher, but now works as a laborer because he doesn’t think he’s “quite ready for college.” Nonetheless, he plans on teaching sometime, even if it’s after he works 20 years and “retires.”

“I remember many of the kids I helped. They were nice to me every single day. They changed me and I think I also changed them,” he said.