As an outfielder for 最新杏吧原创鈥 beloved Cardinals, Jordan Walker garners excitement on the field. But it鈥檚 the difference he鈥檚 making off the field that鈥檚 changing the game in city classrooms.
, the youth development program co-founded by Jordan and his mother, Katrina M. Walker, is built on a straightforward but powerful conviction: Every child deserves the tools to succeed. 鈥淲alker鈥檚 Winners is my way of giving back to 最新杏吧原创, the city that has supported me,鈥 Jordan Walker said. For the students at Old North Academy, giving back is showing up in the most meaningful ways 鈥 one reading goal, one math milestone and one celebrated achievement at a time.
The story of Walker鈥檚 Winners begins, fittingly, on Opening Day. When Walker made his Cardinals debut on March 30, 2023, Katrina M. Walker mentioned during a pregame interview that she was a teacher. That small detail caught the attention of Sheila Olivieri from Ready Readers, and a spark was lit. What began as a conversation about volunteer reading quickly grew into something much larger.
鈥淚 wanted to find ways to have an even deeper impact,鈥 said Katrina M. Walker, co-founder and executive director of Walker鈥檚 Winners. From those early conversations, a full-fledged program took shape 鈥 one focused on reading and math literacy for students all the way through 12th grade. Math, notably, was Jordan鈥檚 favorite subject in school, an interest that led to him taking AP calculus (college level) as a senior. That love of numbers made it important to include math in Walker鈥檚 Winners鈥 foundation.
Walker鈥檚 Winners鈥 mission is to work with schools, families and community partners to ensure students are proficient in reading and math, envision a positive and empowered life path, and work purposefully toward their goals.
Old North Academy became a Walker鈥檚 Winners partner site in 2025, and the impact is tangible.
More than 60 Old North students have already been celebrated as Walker鈥檚 Winners Goal Getters for their hard work and progress. Students are recognized each quarter through Goal Getter Awards in three categories: highest achievement, most improved, and consistent and purposeful effort 鈥 a structure that makes sure no student鈥檚 growth goes unnoticed, regardless of where they started.
For Old North Academy principal Katrina Harmon, that inclusive approach is exactly what sets this partnership apart. 鈥淭his partnership is unique because it honors the full learning journey,鈥 Harmon said. 鈥淚t recognizes improvement and perseverance 鈥 not just top scores 鈥 which makes it inclusive and meaningful for all students.鈥
The results speak for themselves. 鈥淪tudents have responded with excitement and ownership,鈥 said Harmon. 鈥淏ecause growth and effort are recognized, more students feel seen and motivated. We鈥檝e noticed increased engagement, stronger goal-setting habits and greater confidence among students making progress.鈥
Walker鈥檚 Winners has also delivered the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experiences that stick with a kid forever. In August 2025, Old North students were treated to a special evening at Busch Stadium 鈥 dinner, cheering on the Redbirds and a chance to meet Jordan Walker himself. For a Cardinals fan in 最新杏吧原创, there are few moments bigger than that.
But Katrina M. Walker is clear that the work is about something deeper than a night at the ballpark. 鈥淧ersonal experience has taught me that one鈥檚 abilities come to fruition through access to opportunity and resources, coupled with one鈥檚 own hard work,鈥 she said. 鈥淲hen we invest in young people, when we help them manifest their potential, not only do we make them better, but we make our community better because we honor the commitment we should have to each other and to our future.鈥
That community-centered vision defines how Walker鈥檚 Winners measures its own success: through robust partnerships that foster a culture of achievement, students who are engaged and thriving in school, goal-oriented graduates who find purposeful work, and families who are equipped to actively participate in all that society has to offer.
The partnership with Old North has already proven what鈥檚 possible when community and classroom come together. 鈥淭he Walker鈥檚 Winners partnership has strengthened our school culture by celebrating not only high achievement, but also growth and effort,鈥 said Harmon. 鈥淚t reinforces our belief that progress matters and helps create a community where goal-setting and continuous improvement are valued."
With Walker鈥檚 Winners continuing to grow its reach and Old North students setting and surpassing their goals quarter after quarter, the partnership is sure to go the distance. There鈥檚 something fitting about a Cardinals outfielder 鈥 a young man who understands that progress is built incrementally, one at-bat at a time 鈥 championing that same truth for kids in 最新杏吧原创 classrooms.
For more information about Walker鈥檚 Winners, visit . To learn more about Old North Academy, visit .
