An education opens doors.

Charlie Harned, CHS class of 2012, created the Anything is Possible Education Foundation while a student at Knox College.  Now, he helps promote and foster academic achievement in Galesburg, IL.

“The goal of the foundation is to help as many students as possible,” Harned said.

The Anything is Possible Education Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides teens in Knox County with free academic tutoring from college student volunteers. This non-profit also awards annual college scholarships to area high school seniors. The organization aims to prepare students in the Knox County area for a college education, specifically by offering ACT tutoring.

Harned, a junior at Knox College, is a Division III athlete and an honors student. Harned founded the organization in order to help his community.

“In Knox County, the area high schools are struggling,” he said. “Not only is the average ACT score below the national average, but a significant number of students live at or below the poverty line.”

Harned and his team of volunteers also help youth internationally. This past year, volunteers from the organization went to China.

“We taught English to students ages seven all the way to 17,” Harned said. “It was an amazing experience.  I’ll never forget when the students started crying and told all of us how big of an impact we have made on their lives.”

He also has a piece of advice for all CHS students when it comes to finding motivation.

“Go find my dad, history teacher Mr. Harned,” he said. “He is my biggest role model. I would hate for any CHS student to miss out on what a great teacher he is.”