gear up news & events
| GEAR UP Seniors | ||
Rhonda Thomas, GEAR UP site liaison, points out the parent and family services that are provided, such as workshops and computer training classes.
Ms. Alexi Young stands in front of poster board outside the GEAR UP office at Michele Clark High School. It lists upcoming events, provides information about colleges and scholarships, and recognizes student achievements.
The Posse Foundation supports urban youth who have demonstrated leadership qualities in high school. |
GEAR UP student wins Posse Scholarship - From a group of over 9000 applicants, Keyonta, a senior at Michele Clark High School, is one of 430 students from across the country who won a 4 year full-tuition scholarship. Next fall, Keyonta will be attending Denison University in Ohio where he plans on majoring in psychology. Some day, he would like to open his own practice and help those in need. He's already demonstrated strong leadership abilities. As varsity captain of the basketball team, he has learned how to motivate and inspire others.
Even though a solid student, Keyonta faced challenges; biology was tough, so he signed up for GEAR UP tutoring. The extra support helped him get through his class, and he is now taking AP Biology. In typical fashion for Keyonta, he has now become a tutor helping others who struggle with biology. Mentoring other students is important to Keyonta. “I’ve become a role model to a lot of the underclassmen. And, I think it’s amazing when people come up to me and say, I appreciate what you’re doing, and some day, I want to be like you.”
His first choice for college had been the University of Wisconsin, however he was chosen by the Posse Foundation for Denison University in Ohio. Now that he’s been accepted there, he realizes it’s a better fit. It’s a smaller school, and he believes it will best match his personal needs. “You should always keep your options open. Never be limited to one school.” He went on several college visits through GEAR UP with his mother. He said that getting to see several universities gives a person a chance to get to know what they really want from a college. “You can’t tell from reading a catalog or looking online,” says Keyonta.
|
|
GEAR UP staff create a poster wall of quotes to inspire their students. |
When asked what has been one of the greatest challenges, he says that it has been balancing extracurricular activities with academics. After varsity practice, coming home and putting in the extra hours of studying was difficult. So having GEAR UP there to support him was helpful. About the GEAR UP staff, Keyonta says, “they had my back 100%, which I totally appreciate. I owe a lot to them for staying on me.” He says the GEAR UP staff, which included Ms. Thomas and Ms. Alexi Young, wouldn’t push him, but he says “They would always be on my back to make sure I was on top of my grades.” “It helped me to stay focused.” |
|
312.733.7330 |Fax 312.563.7210 | Site by marcopolo-networking.com