First Group of Scholars Graduages from College; Los Angeles Times Marks Program's
10th Anniversary
First
Group of Scholars Graduates From College; Los Angeles Times
Marks Program’s 10th Anniversary
Eleven
years ago, seven outstanding 7th graders from Lennox Middle School
were chosen to be the first group of Partnership Scholars. Seeing
no viable college preparatory option for them among the area
high schools at the time, Dr. Glenn Langer, founder of the Partnership
Scholars, decided to finance their high school educations himself,
at St. Bernard’s Academy in Playa Del Rey.
Today, 11 years after its inception, the Partnership Scholars is operating entirely
within the pubic school systems of Los Angeles and Mendocino Counties in California.
It boasts nearly 300 students in 19 participating schools, all of whom are presently
enrolled in - or have graduated from - public schools.
The original “Group of Seven” Scholars won dozens of academic honors
and student awards at their high school graduation, and six of the seven went
on to four-year universities in California on full or partial scholarships.
In June 2006, three from group graduated from universities – all with honors.
Three others are completing special programs and coursework this summer and next
Fall and will wear the cap and gown in the Spring, 2007.
The Los Angeles Times published an article in June 2006 recognizing the achievements
of this extraordinary group of students and the overall success of the Partnership
Scholars. The article was written by Bob Poole, who has reported on the program
on three previous occasions. To retrieve the article online, go to www.latimes.com and
search the archive section).
This first group of Partnership Scholars set the tone for the program,” according
to Meg Sanchez, executive director of the Partnership Scholars. ”They are
full of joy and intelligence and they spread their enthusiasm for life wherever
they go. They appreciate everyone and everything connected to the program and
they are models for balancing rigorous academic focus and stimulating social
pursuits.”
The college senior Scholars include:
Michelle Avalos / Pepperdine
University - a business administration major who graduated
in the Spring 2006. Michelle wants to run her own business,
but is also interested in working with families and kids who have
been recently homeless. Read Michelle's letter >
Yessica Barrientos / Universtiy of California
at Dominguez Hills – a criminal justice major who wants
to become an attorney. Yessica is planning to graduate
next year. Read Yessica's letter >
Jesse Chavez / University
of California at Riverside – a film and visual culture major
who wants to work in public relations and media. Jesse
is studying in Madrid, Spain, this summer and will graduate in the
Spring 2007. Read Jesse's letter >
Tynelia Morris / University
of California at Dominguez Hills – a sociology major who wants
to devote herself to social work and helping families with kids. Tynelia
graduated in the Spring, 2006. Read Tynelia's
letter >
Maria Pelayo (Falcone) / Cal State University
at Long Beach – a psychology major who was accepted into
the Career and Opportunities in Research (COR) program and
wants to pursue her Ph.D. and become a researcher. This
summer, Maria is participating in a research internship at
the University of Minnesota. She expects to graduate
in the Spring, 2007. Read Maria's letter >
Milagro Romero / Loyola
Marymount University – a political science major who graduated
with honors in the Spring, 2006, and is now working as Deputy Assistant
to L.A. Country Supervisor Gloria Molina. Milagro wants to
pursue a career in government and politics with a focus on immigration
issues.
We congratulate these outstanding former Scholars and are very proud of their
accomplishments. Read Milagro's letter >
Reflections
from the Regional Coordinator,
Meg Sanchez
I feel very privileged to have been part of the
Partnership Scholars’ Program
since its inception in Lennox in 1996. We started with just one site
and seven students and currently there are nearly 300 students in 19
participating schools at more than twenty five sites.
The mentoring that children receive throughout the six years impacts
their lives in many powerful ways. When scholars’ experiences
include visits to the L.A. County Museum of Art, The Museum of Tolerance,
the Pantages Theatre, the Mark Taper Forum, UCLA, Loyola Marymount,
San Diego, Santa Barbara, (and in some cases Boston, NYC and Washington
D.C.) their world literally opens up. New environments, when experienced
with a mentor, are no longer frightening or “off limits”,
and these experiences gradually result in confidence and independence.
Partnership scholars come to fully realize that there is no limit to
what they can do with their lives when education is a focus. Glory
is so often given to the athlete; here we give a strong message that
being a scholar merits glory and much more.
One of the most compelling results of the program is that our students
become increasingly more curious and see themselves as capable of satisfying
that curiosity. It becomes apparent that the college experience is
essential and that it is clearly within their reach.
