This fall, 37 Steppingstone Scholars Boston are headed to four-year colleges throughout the U.S. (see list below). These studentsare graduates of The Steppingstone Academy, a program that prepares urbanschoolchildren to gain admission to and succeed at top independent and public exam schools throughout Boston. These college-bound Scholars completed theAcademy’s 14-month academic program in 1998 and 1999 and have participatedin the Academy’s support services since that time. “Steppingstone Scholars have known since fifth grade that hard work in school can lead to incredible opportunity,” said Steppingstone president and co-founder Michael P. Danziger.“Now they see the results of their hard work as they get ready for college. We are extremely proud of all they have accomplished.”
For some Scholars, attending college is more than a personal achievement; it is the pride of their family. Says David Medina, a graduate of Noble and Greenough School who moved to Hyde Park from Colombia with his family andis heading to College of the Holy Cross, “I’m proud to be the first in my family to go to college.”
Over the past 14 years, more than 700 Steppingstone Scholars have completed the rigorous 14-month program of intense academic work, two summer sessionsand extra homework. Steppingstone offers students guidance in choosing andapplying for admission to public exam and independent schools. Once the Scholars gain admission, Steppingstone’s support services staff worksproactively to ensure a successful transition, both academic and social, to theplacement schools. The staff continues to support Scholars to ensure college attendance.
About the Steppingstone Foundation
Founded in 1990, The Steppingstone Foundation is a privately funded, non-profitorganization that develops and runs academic programs that prepare urbanschoolchildren for educational opportunities that lead to college. Through its tuition-free programs (The Steppingstone Academy and Academy Nine), theorganization provides rigorous academic preparation and support annually tomore than 600 motivated Boston schoolchildren. Steppingstone prepares Scholars to gain admission to and succeed at area college preparatory schools,and to go on to college. Through Steppingstone’s support services, Scholars whocomplete the 14-month academic component have access to mentors, tutors, financial aid advice, counseling, test preparation, college guidance, and more.For more information, please visit the Steppingstone web site at www.tsf.org.
The Steppingstone Academy Class of ’98 & ’99 College Destinations: Brighton Scholars
Anthony Le, Wesleyan University
Boston Scholars
Shannen Garrett, Boston University
Charlestown Scholars
Padraic Lacey, University of Vermont
Dorchester Scholars
Elyse Ayoung, Bridgewater State College
Jazmine Coleman, Hamilton College
Nickeisha Davidson, George Washington University
Denise Depina, University of Massachusetts, Boston
Marcus Hemenway, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Chanda Hill, Curry College
Dalinda Ifill, Northeastern University
Quoc Tuan Nguyen, Syracuse University
Tuyet-Hoa Nguyen, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy
Xuan Nguyen, College of the Holy Cross
Leigh Richie, Duke University
Jarratt Schleehauf, Hobart College
Staisha Stephens-Brown, Temple University
Paul Thompson, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Tomas Watler, Massachusetts College of Art
Hyde Park Scholars
Onyemaechi Duru, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
David Medina, College of the Holy Cross
Lamarr Rollins, University of Miami
Laura Seger, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
Jamaica Plain Scholars
Patrick Costello, Bowdoin College
Michael Okoli, University of Pennsylvania
Malden Scholars
Sasha Desir, Boston College
Mattapan Scholars
Martina Durant, Hampton College
Aimee Galindo University of Massachusetts, Boston
Natasha Herbert, Spelman College
Samantha Jackson, Suffolk University
Darian Reid-Sturgis, Bowdoin College
Methuen Scholars
Stacia Jones, Babson College
Milton Scholars
Jennifer Matthews, Wesleyan University
Natick Scholars
Geoffrey Filleti, Framingham State College
Randolph Scholars
Monique Moore, University of Richmond
Roslindale Scholars
Marquis Jamison, Boston College
Dermott McHugh, Dartmouth College
Claude Mondelus, Rochester Institute of Technology
Roxbury Scholars
Stephanie Crawford, Pine Manor College
Arusha Depeiza-Saldenha, Barnard College
Atakelti Desta, Boston College
South Boston Scholars
Aldo Betancourt, Denison University
West Roxbury Scholars
Allan Ramel, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
