Adelante Inc. Celebrates Eleventh Annual Scholarship Night
Students, family members, friends and supporters gathered in the Sargent Auditorium of the Lawrence Public Library on Wednesday evening to honor forty-three scholarship recipients at Adelante Inc.’s eleventh annual Scholarship Night. Mayor Michael Sullivan commended the Adelante Scholars for their achievements and for choosing the path to higher education and personal development.
Speakers also included Giovanni Estrada, a senior at Notre Dame High School, and Corina Cornejo, a senior at central Catholic High School. The two gave their personal accounts of what it means to be an Adelante Scholar. Special Guest speaker Jesenia Tejada, a former Adelante Scholar and graduate of Central Catholic High School and Northeastern University, spoke to students and parents about the influence that Adelante had had on her life. She urged students to follow their dreams and to plan their future education carefully.
CCHS freshman Anyeline Nuñez was awarded the second annual Olivia Howell scholarship.
Four students received scholarships thanks to a grant from the Ibrahim El-Hefni Technical Training Foundation. For the technological skills they have developed, Miguel Arias and Chery David Oliver from Central Catholic, Isabel Vargas from Presentation of Mary Academy, and Stephanie Guzman of Notre Dame each received the awards. [Pictured above: L to R: Stephanie Guzman, Miguel Arias, Chery David Victoria and Isabel Vargas]
In its sixteen years of operation, Adelante has raised over one million dollars for scholarships for Lawrence area youth. An equal amount is contributed by partner schools as matching grants. In accepting the four-year scholarships, Adelante Scholars agree to perform up to 160 hours of community service during the school year.
“Adelante,” the Spanish word for “moving forward,” embodies the mission of the organization to help prepare young people for the rigors of higher education and a future that includes college. Its acclaimed School Success program offers test prep courses and academic enrichment for middle and high school students.
Adelante 2008 Summer Success Program Follow-up Report
Adelante is aware of the growing body of evidence on the impact of summer learning loss. We are very supportive of the study’s findings and conclusions which make a strong case for the kind of program Adelante has added to our School Success initiative developed ten years ago. Our seventh and eighth grade students are currently enrolled in an academic enrichment and test prep program that runs through out the school year. With their participation in Summer Success, they have sharpened their academic skills and are ready and prepared to meet the new school year with confidence.
A Program “First” in 2008
Because Adelante is now located in the YMCA, this year’s Summer Success program was able to rely not only on their support and collaboration, but also on their impressive resources as well as those of other organizations in close proximity. Classroom space, computer labs, the Music Clubhouse, gym and swimming pool were all available to our students, who students continued to receive free YMCA membership throughout the summer. Summer Success also regularly used the Lawrence Public Library for movies, the Lawrence Common for outdoor recreation, and the City’s free breakfast and lunch programs at the old Lawrence High School.
But it wasn’t all fun and games. Our new Summer Success program has become a model for summer youth development and academic enrichment programs in the area. Participants had daily opportunities for intellectual development, physical exercise, discovery, problem-solving, relationship building, and developing a sense of belonging. Our staff was made up of experienced, caring professionals, including a visual arts teacher, a college junior majoring in forensic archeology, and four Adelante Scholars serving as interns. Learning activities regularly integrated visual arts with science and math, small group writing and internet research. A visit from Lawrence’s Poet Laureate César Sánchez Beras, who read and discussed some of his favorite poems, delighted all of us. We strongly believe that Summer Success thoroughly engaged our young people and helped them grow by providing them with a rich variety of learning experiences, recreation, and old fashioned summer fun.
Watch our Summer Success Slideshow!
New summer program for Middle Schoolers begins July 7
Just in time for the approaching school summer vacation, Adelante Inc. is launching an innovative new program called Summer Success for middle school youth that’s sure to be a hit with the young people — that is, if they don’t mind a little academics on the menu, which also features field trips, aquatics, indoor and outdoor games, and lots of fun.
Important new research has revealed that without opportunities to develop new skills, make new friends, and discover new possibilities in themselves and the world they live in, many children actually lose ground, academically speaking, during their summer vacation.
Serving Lawrence-area youth since 1992, Adelante Inc. offers programs in academic enrichment and test preparation for seventh and eighth graders as well as scholarship assistance and community service opportunities for high school students. Last summer, Adelante relocated to the Lawrence YMCA and is providing academic services to children in the Y’s after-school program. Thanks to the new collaboration between the two youth organizations, Summer Success will offer young people a variety of fun and educational activities to keep them engaged, entertained and, when September arrives, better prepared for their next school year.
Said David Hildt, Executive Director of Adelante, “We’ve got a great lineup of activities and an outstanding staff for Summer Success. And thanks to the YMCA we’ll have access to the pool, the gym, and the wonderfully popular Music Clubhouse. It’s going to be a great summer!”
Adelante is already enrolling students in the program, which will run July 7 to August 14, Mondays through Thursdays from 9a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration fee is $45. Parents are required to submit a copy of the child’s most recent report card as well. For more information about Summer Success visit Adelante Inc. at the Lawrence YMCA, Or call 978-687-9432.
Adelante Inc. launches online newsletter
As part of the launch of its new website, Adelante Inc. has created an online newsletter to provide the community at large with information about the program, the students, and the success stories that showcase the great work being done. News & Notes is a monthly online newsletter for and about the people who make our organization tick.
Check in regularly to read about our students’ accomplishments, our new programs, staff activities, and more.
Adelante launches new website
Check out the brand new look of Adelante’s website. Designed and developed by Watershed Online Media, the site has a fresh, contemporary look that captures the energy of our center, and provides plenty of information and pictures of Adelante’s shining stars: our students.
Adelante Inc. Celebrates Tenth Annual
Scholarship Night
Students, family members, friends and supporters gathered in the Sargent Auditorium of the Lawrence Public Library on October 16 to honor fifty-one scholarship recipients at Adelante Inc.’s tenth annual Scholarship Night. The group was addressed by Representative Barry Finegold, who commended the Adelante Scholars for their achievements and for choosing the path to higher education and personal development.
Speakers also included Philip Raposa-Rosario, a freshman at Central Catholic High School, and Elizabeth de la Cruz, a senior at Presentation of Mary Academy. The two gave their personal accounts of what it means to be an Adelante Scholar.
Central Catholic High School freshman Jeannette Arias was awarded the first scholarship from a new endowment established through the generosity of Olivia Howell, a remarkable young woman who is currently a freshman at Phillips Academy. Ms. Howell presented the $2,000 award. She will be involved throughout her high school career in the selection process for future Howell Scholarship recipients.
Four students received special scholarships thanks to a grant from the Technical Training Foundation. For the technological skills they have developed, Alexis Duran and Alfredo Gil from Central Catholic, and Nashira Mencia and Sandy Acosta from Presentation of Mary Academy each received a $2,000 scholarship. Foundation Controller Annmarie Nelson handed out the awards.
Since 1997, Adelante has raised over one million dollars for scholarships for Lawrence-area youth. An equal amount is contributed by three partner schools as matching grants. In accepting the four-year scholarships, Adelante Scholars agree to perform up to 160 hours of community service during the school year.
“Adelante,” the Spanish word for “moving forward,” embodies the mission of the organization to help prepare young people for the rigors of higher education and a future that includes college. Its acclaimed School Success program offers test prep courses and academic enrichment for middle and high school students.
