NEWARK, N.J., June 12, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Monday, New Jersey SEEDS celebrated the graduation of its 19 College Preparatory Program (CPP) seniors at The Newark Club, along with their families, mentors, SEEDS donors and CPP alumni. For the past three years, CPP scholars have participated in academic classes each Saturday and over the course of three summers.
"We are so proud of all the Class of 2015 has accomplished. They made a commitment early on to improve their prospects for the future through education – and their hard work has earned them 115 acceptances from more than 50 colleges and universities across the country," says SEEDS President Ronni Denes. Denes extended the organization's thanks to those who have assisted and inspired students on their journeys – the administration and staff from Orange and Trenton school districts, the exceptional College Mentor Network volunteers, SEEDS' generous donors, and most importantly, the scholars' families.
The College Preparatory Program was launched to expand academic opportunities among students in SEEDS' partner high schools, with the goal of increasing the number of high-achieving, low-income students who aspire to, enter and graduate from competitive colleges. Building on the success of CPP, SEEDS recently launched the College Scholars Program, which will bring the organization's proven techniques to three times as many students in a wider geographic area.
"Our graduates have a lot to be proud of," says Anthony Jones, Dean of the College Preparatory Program. "Eighty percent of our scholars are matriculating to Most, Highly or Very Competitive Colleges, as ranked by Barron's. We have CPP students heading off to Barnard College, Carnegie Mellon University, and American University this fall, and are pleased to have students return to Albright College, Denison University and Dickinson College. In addition, one of our students was a recipient of an ETS Scholarship, another has received the APIASF/FedEx Scholarship, and a third has been accepted to the American Honors Program. This class of graduates has a lot to celebrate."
The 2015 Commencement Address was presented by Trenton High School senior Tanzila Mohsin, who will be enrolling at Dickinson College this fall. Guests also heard from a CPP Class of 2011 graduate – Tempestt Williams – who recently received her degree from Denison University.
Congratulations to the College Preparatory Program Class of 2015.
Orange High School
Jennifer Alvarado – Drew University
Stephanie Alvarado – Albright College
Javonie Bond – Kean University
Lofaine Bradford – American University
Yaramo Dione – Carnegie Mellon University
Gloria Ekeh – Skidmore College
Andres Espinoza – The College of New Jersey
Alaya Montgomery – Rider University
John Moran – Rutgers University, Newark
Barakat Olusekun – Rowan University
Jerry Racine – Albright College
Mabel Torto – Drew University
Sabrina Victor – Barnard College
Trenton High School
Pablo Araya – Mercer County Community College (American Honors Program)
Kenya Bullock – Dickinson College (ETS – Trenton Central High School Scholarship Recipient)
Joselin Guerra – Denison University
Ferreri Lewis – Drew University
Tanzila Mohsin – Dickinson College (APIASF/FedEx Scholarship Recipient)
Deysy Ordonez – Dickinson College
For more information on the 2015 CPP Commencement Ceremony, or to receive high resolution photos, please contact Theresa Murray at tmurray@njseeds.org or at 862.227.9145.
About New Jersey SEEDS
Since its inception in 1992, New Jersey SEEDS has provided educational access for highly motivated, low-income students and created a viable path for them to achieve their full potential. SEEDS strives for a world in which young people's initiative, creativity and intellect can flourish without regard to socioeconomic status. To date, more than 2,000 scholars have benefited from its programs. For more information, visit www.njseeds.org.
New Jersey SEEDS is grateful to the following corporations, foundations and individuals for providing major support for the College Preparatory Program this year: AT &T; C.R. Bard, Inc.; Marie and Roy Cohen; Paul and Elizabeth DeRosa; Educational Testing Service; Elizabeth and Barets O. Benjamin Charitable Foundation; Horizon Foundation; JPMorgan Chase Foundation; Sandra and Brian Maher; Mary Owen Borden Foundation; Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation; Novo Nordisk, Inc.; Orange Orphan Society; Overdeck Family Foundation; Piper Sutton Foundation; Princeton Area Community Foundation; and PSE &G.