When most people think about a student winning, they picture a report card with straight A’s. Walker’s Winners has a different take — and it’s working.

The youth education program, co-founded by Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker and his mother Katrina M. Walker, officially partnered with Confluence Academy Old North in 2025. Since then, more than 60 Old North students have been recognized as Goal Getters for their hard work in reading and math. That number keeps growing.

Where It All Started

The story behind Walker’s Winners actually begins on Opening Day 2023. When Jordan made his MLB debut on March 30th, Katrina mentioned during a pregame interview that she was a teacher. That one detail sparked a conversation with Sheila Olivieri from Ready Readers — and eventually grew into a full program focused on reading and math literacy for students all the way through 12th grade.

Math was always Jordan’s strongest subject. He took AP Calculus as a senior, and that love for numbers became a core part of what Walker’s Winners is built on.

What Goal Getter Recognition Actually Looks Like

Each semester, students at Old North are recognized in three categories: highest achievement, most improved, and consistent effort. That last one matters a lot. Not every kid starts at the same place, and the program makes sure no student’s progress gets overlooked just because they aren’t at the top of the class.

Old North principal Katrina Harmon put it well: “This partnership is unique because it honors the full learning journey. It recognizes improvement and perseverance — not just top scores.”

And the results back that up. Students are more engaged. They’re setting goals with intention. And they’re building confidence that’s carrying over into everything they do in school.

A Night at Busch Stadium

In August 2025, Old North students got to do something most kids in St. Louis only dream about — they had dinner at Busch Stadium, watched the Cardinals play, and got to meet Jordan Walker in person. For a city that runs on Cardinals baseball, it doesn’t get much bigger than that.

But Katrina M. Walker is clear that moments like that are a bonus, not the point. “Personal experience has taught me that one’s abilities come to fruition through access to opportunity and resources, coupled with one’s own hard work,” she said. “When we invest in young people, we make our community better.”

The Bigger Picture

Walker’s Winners measures success by more than test scores. The goal is students who are engaged in school, graduates who find purposeful work, and families who have what they need to fully participate in their communities.

Old North is proof that when a school and a community program get aligned around the same mission, something real happens. “The Walker’s Winners partnership has strengthened our school culture by celebrating not only high achievement, but also growth and effort,” said Principal Harmon.

If your school or organization wants to be part of what Walker’s Winners is building, learn more about partnering with us. And if you want to help make programs like this possible, consider making a donation — every contribution goes directly toward books, supplies, and rewards for students who are working hard every day.