Perspectives Charter Schools 2010 Annual Benefit, "College for Certain" on May 6th was a smashing success.

This year's event, with inspirational leadership from co-chairs Tony Anderson, Vice Chair and Midwest Managing Partner of Ernst & Young and Ty Fahner, Partner and Former Chairman of Mayer Brown, raised over $320,000, netting more than $240,000 - over half of next year's budget for college counselors and college tours! 
 
During the Benefit a new BMW328i provided by Perillo BMW was raffled off to a lucky winner and a rousing auction was held for several high end sports and dining packages.

The highlight of the evening was the inspiring presentations made by members of our 2010 graduating class - Earl Aaron, Sade Johnson, and Ricardo Garcia - reminding us of how hard our staff and these students have worked for their achievements  - and how none of it would be possible without generous fundraising contributions.
 
Because we provide additional support for our students, events such as the Annual Benefit are critical in helping us achieve results like these:  in May, 93 percent of our seniors will enroll in college - exceeding Chicago Public Schools' enrollment rates by more than 40 percentage points.

Ricardo Garcia, Senior at the Rodney D. Joslin campus, was awarded a Posse Scholarship to attend Pomona College in Claremont, California.

The Posse Foundation recruits students - many of whom might have been overlooked by traditional college selection processes - to receive four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarships from Posse's partner institutions of higher education. Posse Scholars graduate at a rate of 90 percent and make a visible difference on campus and throughout their professional careers. The Posse Foundation is one of only 10 organizations selected by President Barack Obama to receive a portion of the president's $1.4 million Nobel Peace Prize award money.

Reflecting on his scholarship award, Ricardo said, "As a first-generation Latino student, PCS has provided me with many different opportunities that have prepared me for college. By coming to PCS, I was able to win the Posse Foundation Scholarship to attend Pomona College, one of the top 5 liberal arts colleges in the nation."

Teachers Brittany Kinser and Laura Busse lead Perspectives/IIT Math and Science Academy students in a 10-mile bike ride along the Chicago waterfront on Saturday as part of Climate Cycle's Solar Schools Ride. The MSA Wolves Climate Cycle Team raised over $6,000 in pledges from friends, family and community supporters to sponsor their ride for environmental education. Because the MSA Wolves raised the most money per student compared to any other school in the competition, ride partner Nike Corporation granted the team a $10,000 award to help improve the school.
 
We congratulate and thank all the riders and donors who made this event possible - look out for the team to ride again at next year's competition.

Steve Milter has been helping Perspectives Charter School graduates attend college for the past decade. His scholarships have not only enabled students to attend college, but also to complete their degree. Over 100 Perspectives graduates have received the Steve Milter Scholarship since 2000 and many would not be in college today if not for Steve's generosity.
 
In 2008, he created a Presidential Election Scholarship, with the award being deferred until college graduation and the amount being applied towards the students' loan balance. Nicole Carter (Bradley University, Class of 2010) won the essay contest in 2008 and just completed the eligibility requirements to receive the award and pay down her student loan.
 
Steve is currently taking part in the creation of the Jeff Abbey Maldonado, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. This will be awarded to a Rodney D. Joslin Campus graduate majoring in the Arts and in memorium of Jeff Abbey Maldonado, Jr. who was a Joslin graduate, majoring in Music Production at Harold Washington College. Steve's progressive vision and dedication to our youth has helped to ensure that our graduates remain in college and complete their degree.

Perspectives Charter Schools congratulates all our graduating seniors and eighth-graders! Graduation ceremonies will be held on the following dates:

Perspectives Calumet High School and
Perspectives Calumet High School of Technology
May 27, 2010 at 12:00pm

Rodney D. Joslin campus, High School
May 28, 2010 at 12:00pm

Perspectives Calumet Middle School
June 1, 2010

Perspectives/IIT Math and Science Academy, 8th Grade
June 3, 2010 at 9:30 am

Rodney D. Joslin campus, 8th Grade
June 3, 2010 at 12:00pm