College Prep and Young Scholars Celebrate Success

College Prep students celebrate at the closing ceremonies marking the completion of the 7-week summer program for Lawrence students.

As College Prep students and their families filed in to UMass Lowell’s Campus Recreation Center for the program’s closing ceremonies, one thing was clear – their summer of hard work was well worth it.

This summer close to 160 students from Lawrence Public Schools in grades 7 through 12 participated in the College Prep and Youth Scholars programs.  For seven weeks they came to campus for classes each day.  But the program, which is part of the Graduate School of Education’s Center for Field Services and Studies, is not your typical summer school.

For starters, the students’ participation was voluntary and the coursework was geared toward preparation for college, with sessions on how to write a strong thesis, SAT preparation and financial aid workshops.  Many students were returning from successful summers past and vowed to be back again next year. 

“I want to go to UMass Lowell so I started the program a few years ago,” said 10th-grader, Darlene Reynoso whose mother sat next to her and smiled proudly. “I like coming to campus and trying different things.”

Her high marks for the program convinced a friend of hers to give it a try. “I liked the experience very much,” said 10th-grader Genesis Reynoso, of her first summer as a College Prep participant.  “I want to go to college and become a doctor.”

With balloons, a DVD show of summer highlights and many awards, the ceremony was upbeat and filled with loud rounds of applause.

Members of UMass Lowell’s administration, including Provost Ahmed Abdelal and Vice Provost for Graduate Education Don Pierson, participated in the event. 

“With this program, you are putting plans into place that will lead to a successful high school graduation and a successful and fulfilling college career,” said Pierson.  “We look forward to seeing College Prep graduates at UMass Lowell.”

“At the heart of our mission is engaging with K-12 schools to really enhance student success at all levels,” said Abdelal.  “I look forward to strongly supporting and expanding these efforts and to working jointly with everyone in the future.”

Among the evening’s highlights included the keynote address by Dr. Michael Thomas.  Thomas, the interim president of the New England Board of Higher Education (NEHBE), congratulated the students on making the choice to be in the program.  “By being here tonight you have shown you want to invest in yourself and in the people around you.” 

“One thing you have probably already sensed is that getting ready for college isn’t easy, it’s done over the course of many years,” said Thomas.  “You now have some key knowledge and understanding that will help you get over some of the hurdles of getting into college.”

Thomas’ message tied in to the remarks made by College Prep Director Hector Torres.  “Our job is to make sure that students are ready for college, they get in to college and they get through college,” said Torres. 

For photos from the event, visit the GSE website.

- Jennifer_Hanson

Completing the summer program were, from left, Lawrence 10th-graders Pamela Henriquez and Genesis Reynoso. Seated are College Prep graduate Darlene Reynoso left, and her mother Marguerite Reynoso.