America’s Promise Alliance and the Simon Foundation announce partnership to increase high school and college graduation rates
7/2/2010
By Cynthia Hobgood
America’s Promise Alliance (the Alliance) and the Simon Foundation for Education and Housing (the Simon Foundation) have announced a new multi-year partnership to help increase high school and college graduation rates. The two organizations will work together to expand the Simon Foundation’s successful Simon Scholars Program, a unique $30,000, 6-year high school and college scholarship program for students that come from difficult life and economic circumstances.
The partnership—the first of its kind in the Alliance’s 13-year history—was announced at an event June 28 at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Washington, D.C. with Alliance Chair Alma Powell and Founding Chair Gen. Colin Powell, as well as the Simon Foundation’s Chair Ron Simon.
The Simon Scholars program is a multi-year scholarship program helping students facing difficult life and economic circumstances to excel academically and socially so they can successfully attend and complete college. Simon Scholars are required to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA by the end of their junior year of high school. During high school students receive a cash stipend, laptop computer, social skills training, academic support, leadership training and community service activities. Scholars are also provided college-preparatory assistance through ACT and SAT courses, college tours and assistance in the application process from college coaches. Following the completion of high school, Simon Scholars receive a $16,000 college scholarship.
“The Simon Scholars Program is unique in that it not only provides academic scholarships but the often forgotten but equally important life skills training and social supports that youth need in order to graduate and be successful, contributing members of society,” said Alma J. Powell, Chair of America’s Promise Alliance. “By working together, we have a real opportunity to help more young people be a part of this program and as a result reduce the high school dropout rate in this country.”
This partnership will be a featured part of the Alliance’s Grad Nation campaign. Launched in March with the support of President Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Grad Nation is the Alliance’s 10-year campaign to mobilize all Americans to take action in their communities to end the high school dropout crisis and ultimately prepare young people for the 21st century workforce. Grad Nation is the second phase of the Alliance’s successful Dropout Prevention Campaign, which has held more than 100 Dropout Prevention Summits across the country since April 2008.
The Alliance will work with the Simon Scholars program to broaden its reach into new cities, including a pilot Simon Scholar Candidate Program in Washington, D.C. at Cesar Chavez Parkside High School.
“Helping ensure that all young people, regardless of personal or economic circumstances, have the opportunity to succeed in school and life is the most important thing we can do to ensure the future prosperity of this nation,” said Simon. “The partnership between the Alliance and the Simon Foundation will enhance our ability to reach deeper into disadvantaged communities across the country to provide more students with an opportunity to achieve the American Dream.”
Two of Simon Foundation’s 400 Simon Scholars shared their personal stories at the event. Both have turned difficult circumstances into success, thanks in large part to the financial and emotional support of the program.
Cindy Valverde is now a Simon Scholar and student at University of California San Diego with plans to attend medical school. She was raised in a rough neighborhood in Santa Ana, California. Born to a single mother, she grew up with three brothers in a poverty-stricken area where negative influences ran rampant. With her brothers involved in gangs and drugs, she was looking for a way to break the cycle. She graduated from Valley High School in Santa Ana, receiving all A’s and B’s in her AP classes. She participated in musical theater, mentored elementary school students, served as Varsity Volleyball team captain and as National Honors Society Club President.
“Being a Simon Scholar has given me hope when I have fallen and guidance when I have been lost,” said Cindy Valverde at Monday's event. “It has taught me that you cannot let your past determine your future. Knowing that the Simon Scholar foundation has faith in me has given me even more determination to be better. Sometimes you really do need someone to tell you that you can make it. Sometimes you need someone, anyone - to believe in you.”
Marquis Montgomery, also a Simon Scholar, grew up in a household characterized by poverty and insecurity. He and his sister have been cared for by his maternal grandmother since birth. In spite of a tumultuous life, his grandmother encouraged him to focus on school. He is now a senior at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, where he will graduate with a degree in Information Security.
"While in high school, I began to realize that the only way I could have the opportunity for a better life was through higher education," Montgomery told the audience. "The problem was I had no idea where to begin and no one to ask for help. It was then something happened that changed my life. I applied for and was selected to become a Simon Scholar. Suddenly there was hope that I could actually go to college and the tools and preparation I needed to be successful."