| Student Quotes of the Year |
"At first, most of the participants didn't feel the program could do much other than give us more work. In actuality, the program has opened us up, made us explore career options and college choices; we've even had to manage our own monthly budget. I've realized that everyone can benefit from extra assistance to reach their goals."
~New York A.C.E. Program tennis and Reach for College! student, now at State University of NY at New Paltz
"Ms. Scruggs [RFC Program Associate] went over scholarships and made every student complete scholarship applications. She pushed us. She didn't lose patience with us. It amazed me that she worked so hard with us."
~Andre Nichols, RFC Alum now at University of the District of Columbia
"My experience on the college trip was good because it broadened my approach about college. I thought college was going to be like a bigger high school, but it is way different. They trust you more when you live on campus, the teachers are nicer and are easy to talk to. [Colleges] offer different programs like study abroad."
~IDEA Public Charter student on RFC college tour to Coppin State and Loyola
"I would like to bring to light the fear in a high school student of going to college and failing. For all high school students reading this I want you to know this--failing is quitting after you have been down and accepting whatever life gives you. We are too close to that great moment [of going to college] to let our fears or worries take away from a highlight of our lives. Just never accept less, and you will always walk the path of success."
~Donneka McPherson, First-Year Student at Ohio State University |
| Thank you! |
It is with great humility that we realize there wouldn't be a Reach for College! program without the dedication of a whole army of people who are committed to seeing many more traditionally disadvantaged students reaching their dreams and goals through postsecondary education. These include:
~Over 150 extremely hard-working and creative teachers
~12 forward-thinking and dedicated principals
~20 thoughtful and committed Reach for College! Board members
~12 guest speaker volunteers who provided their wisdom and advice to many classrooms of students
~Higher education partners at several universities who provided stimulating, specialized tours to students and provided on campus meeting space for RFC teachers' professional development workshops
~Many generous individuals who made financial contributions
~The Foundations who provide critical and ongoing support |
| Help RFC Continue to Serve Students |
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| Greetings!
As this year draws to a close, we at Reach for College! pause to reflect with pride on all that our students have accomplished. We are also humbly grateful for the help and support of so many of you who have helped to make this possible. Thank you!
We wish you and yours a joyous holiday season! |
Andre Nichols, A Young Man on Track to Succeed, Thanks Partly to
Reach for College!
Andre Nichols is one of over 150 success stories in 2009
 Andre Nichols is a young man with a plan. His mother made it very clear to him that college was the only choice after high school, having gotten a degree herself when Andre was six. So, early on, Andre was planning for college. Going to Spingarn High School in D.C. was sometimes a challenge, though, where usually less than a quarter of students go on to college. Andre Nichols, Freshman at UDC
Andre resisted the pressure of peers, keeping in mind that going to college would "prepare me for the rest of my life." So, following in his mother's footsteps, Andre enrolled in the University of the District of Columbia this fall.
"I love UDC," Andre said, where his intended major is criminal justice.
Even though he was confident and ready to be responsible, Andre was "extremely nervous" when he got to college. His biggest fear "was getting bad grades." But he decided "that wasn't happening. I want to learn." He has internalized that his college education is his responsibility. "Responsibility is the main thing to being successful," he said. "When you have homework, a project due, or a test, it's your responsibility to get it done, to become an adult. Your syllabus is your contract. And if you don't understand something, you have to go see your professors. They don't know that you need help until you go to see them."
Andre says he is grateful for the support he received from his Reach for College! teacher, Mr. Williams, at Spingarn and for the Reach for College! Program Associate, Alisha Scruggs, who came to his classroom regularly. "Ms. Scruggs went over scholarships and made every student complete scholarship applications," he said. "She pushed us. She didn't lose patience with us. It amazed me that she worked so hard with us."
"People in my generation know how the world is," Andre said. "But we want instant gratification. Some kids ask, 'what's the point of going to college, when I can get money now.' It's better to go to college. They just don't see the point of it. Something needs to be done for those kids. I don't know how you can be successful without a college education."
Reach for College! is doing something for those kids. We are working with 2,800 students this year who just need a little extra support to get over the final hurdles to college and with students who never thought of going to college. 73% of our students go to college from schools where normally 25-35% go, and now these students are working to become engaged, productive citizens of their communities.
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RFC 2009 Accomplishments
Reach for College! Scholarship Recipients in June, 2009.
Thanks to many individual supporters, partner organizations, and foundations, RFC was able to accomplish a great deal this year to help students on their journey to college and careers. Here are some of the highlights:
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Deb Insel and Brenda Harvey
Co-Directors |
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