What Spring-Fall College Access Donations Have DoneExpect to hear of the achievements of 3 student scholars through their final high school year at Washington DC’s McKinley Tech Educational Campus, and then into college. We’re confident that Maurice, Daivon, and Dimya will not be academically harmed by the pandemic-forced virtual classes, they'll will do well and find scholarships at colleges where they’ll pursue engineering degrees as first generation college students. Why will they get through this unscathed? All 3 are fortunate to have mentors, and dedicated tutors who “sit-in” on their classes and then have follow-up virtual tutoring sessions. Many less fortunate students’ grades and higher education goals suffer, as they don’t have the support of an invaluable non-profit with tutors and college prep workshops. Donations helped fund critical programming and provided Supplemental Scholarship Awards to 12th graders to cover the cost of essentials such as: tuition gaps, books, SAT prep courses, college counselors, transportation to school or to visit colleges, college application fees, AP exam fees, laptops, dorm supplies, school supplies. Additionally, donated gift cards and almost 50 refurbished macs have gotten into students' hands. The macs are essential equipment that work in tandem with tutors and college prep programming to facilitate high school achievement, college and scholarship research and applications, and good outcomes like these: Janiya, a recent MacBook recipient and a Freshman at McKinley Tech is planning on studying Information Technology, Accounting & Finance in college. Another MacBook recipient, Desmond, is 1 of 10 DC public school students awarded a full tuition scholarship to American University. We also directed donations in the following ways: To support American Indian scholarship students in Spring 2020 with pandemic related Emergency Relief Funds; a student, Thomas (Muscogee Nation) expressing gratitude, remarked, “…thank you for the support and for believing in me and the rest of my people because we need change, and without education there will be no change.” ; Top-notch college prep programming for DC high school students who live in the city’s poorest neighborhoods, many with so much potential. I reflect on Anthony Anderson, pursuing a degree in music toward a profession in opera on full scholarship at Oberlin Conservatory. Had he not been a participant in an invaluable youth development program we supported, and immersed in a strong curriculum at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in DC, his gift and potential would not have flourished; To support American Indian scholarship students with Stay In School funds to help Native students stay in school and earn college degrees. American Indian students are among the most underserved when it comes to education. Without computers and internet access when forced to leave campus, their classes, housing, meals, and jobs, the pandemic related campus closures put students in even more precarious situations: job losses, housing and food insecurity, and college degrees at risk; A Supplemental Scholarship Award of an iPad to Anthony Anderson, a Junior at Oberlin Conservatory. Our mac wizard remarked, “an iPad for Anthony is like giving a musician an instrument!" Listen to his solo, “Deep River. Bottom line … these students with limited to no financial resources receive the support and help from others like us and you, their “village”, that their wealthier peers' families cover with ease. More to Do for 2021Donate now toward College Access & Supplemental Scholarship Funds that continue to support student programming for Juniors & Seniors in pursuit of higher education and upward mobility. We’ll also fulfill essential needs as they arise. For example, London, a past award recipient at Emory University, once again faces a scholarship/work-study/Pell Grant/student loan tuition gap that could impact his enrollment for spring semester if the additional $5,600 doesn’t materialize from small scholarships he’s applied for. Once he reports back in by early January what he was rewarded, any balance remaining will be covered and sent to Emory.Spread the Word via Instagram & Facebook Please help cultivate awareness of our students' conundrums and the importance of College Access Funds. Thank You to All Who Made Our 2020 Impact Possible!
MaryAnn, Chief Engagement Officer and Founder AllOutForChange® Comments are closed.
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MaryAnn PuglisiChief Engagement Officer, AllOutForChange.org Categories |