Greetings everyone, and Happy Spring!
We hope that you all had a successful and eventful Spring semester so far. As you may know, we just completed our Class of 2017 Scholar Selections. Two of our Alums, Ronald Orozco and Mandy Chavez, participated in the interview and selection process. It was great to have them share a bit of their stories with all the applicants; their faces lit up when they heard that Mandy and Ronald were ACTUAL Simon Scholars who had already graduated from college!
If you have read the previous Newsletters, then you are aware that we have been discussing a college-level Peer Mentoring Program for some time now. Due to a number of unexpected circumstances, we were forced to postpone the launch of the program this semester. However, we remain interested in developing this program next academic year. Thanks to those of you who participated in the initial brainstorming and planning sessions.
We are currently planning to hold a day-long event for all of our college students this summer, likely in late July. I envision this as an opportunity for our upperclassmen and college alums to facilitate some small-group conversations and large-group activities about what to expect as you matriculate to and through college. Please let Mike know if you are interested in serving as a facilitator for this event. We will share more details as they arise.
In preparation for this Spring Newsletter, we asked you to submit some stories about your college experience. The “Scholar Updates” below represent some of what you shared with us. It is incredibly inspiring to hear all the accounts of how you have engaged in your campus communities, taken on leadership roles and worked to make a positive impact. We understand that, for some, college is all about the parties and friends and good times. While we certainly encourage you all to have FUN while you are in college, it is impressive to see how young people such as yourselves, out on your own for the first time, are able to see through all of that and participate in a much deeper and more meaningful way. Congratulations to all of you for your passion, persistence, and GRIT! You are the reason this program was created. Keep up the good work!
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