December 2023 Newsletter
South Redford Eagle Scholars Program
Interested In Supporting The Program?
We are currently accepting donations for the Eagle Scholars Program Scholarship Fund. This year's goal is $5,000, and we are currently just over $1,000. If you are interested in donating, please email me at rory.hughes@southredford.org.
Lat's year's scholarship went to Lara Ibrahim, who is currently at Wayne State University.
U of M Ann Arbor Visit (11/30)
Kalamazoo College Visit (11/15)
<<INFO AND UPDATES>>
HIGH SCHOOL
Seniors:
- FAFSA opens on December 31st. Be ready to submit ASAP to see what kind of funding you qualify for! Check out this video for more info.
- Check out the scholarships page to look for free money for college!
- Join me every Friday during Seminar for a College Application and Scholarship workshop.
Juniors:
- Check out this planning sheet for college prep
- It's time to start spending 15 minutes per day on Khan Academy to boost your SAT score.
- Sign up for a 1-on-1 meeting with me ASAP.
- Join me for the Eagle Scholars Study Lounge every Wednesday during Seminar in the cafeteria. Snacks provided!
Freshmen and Sophomores
- Check out this planning sheet for college prep.
- Program requirements
- Join me for the Eagle Scholars Study Lounge every Wednesday during Seminar in the cafeteria. Snacks provided!
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Homework Clinic
There is a homework clinic specially designed for ESP students to attend. It is on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:10 to 4:10 in the nutrition room. If you choose to attend you must stay the entire time. There is a late bus provided for students who ride the bus. If you are on probation you are required to attend at least once per week. This is overall a great opportunity for students to work on classwork.--Lilly Wood, Eagle Scholars Student Leader
<<DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE>>
Context and Connections
Last week, through The Center for Educational Outreach, I took the juniors on our annual visit to U of M Ann Arbor, which is always one of the year's highlights. We toured the campus, ate lunch at South Quad, and listened to a student panel talk about their experiences at U of M. As much as I can't stand 90% of their football fan base (this doesn't include you), I am always blown away by the facilities and the resources at U of M.
As a bonus, several Eagle Scholars alumni turned up to say hello and share their perspective. As I observed our juniors take in the experience, I was struck by how keyed in they were, even though none of what they heard was new: "Take hard classes. Seek out leadership opportunities. Keep your GPA up. Do SAT practice on Khan Academy. Get started early on your college essays. Leverage your resources." And so on and so on. I've said all of these things. Their counselors and parents and teachers have said all of these things. We've reiterated them in presentations, individual conferences, via email, and in every other possible mode of communication. But to hear them on a college campus from actual college students who had been actual Eagle Scholars at Thurston made all the difference.
Bethany Carter, (class of 2022), captivated our students as she talked about adjusting to college life and the challenges of being a black student at U of M. She reflected on her approach in high school to prepare for college, as well as the things she wished she had done. Jenac'y, (class of 23) talked at length about her adjustment from Thurston to U of M. She said she felt prepared for the rigors of college and was thankful for the network of Thurston alums on campus, not to mention the strong connection with Thurston staff.** While many of her peers at Michigan felt isolated and overwhelmed, Jenac'y had a built-in support system from her first day on campus.
I know retention rates are, on a whole, fairly low for college students. And yet our students show incredible success rates not only in being admitted to college, but also thriving and finishing on time. No doubt, the rigors of the program have something to do with this, but I also believe that the ongoing connection with students and staff in the program might make the bigger impact.
This year, my goal is to do expand opportunities for current students to connect with former students in the right contexts - on campus and in the workplace. That way I can be sure they'll listen to all of the advice I've been giving them.
Thanks for reading.
--Rory
*top right (ESP alums Elle, Bethany, Erynn, Evan, and Gabby with Ms. Bomphray, and Dr. Chen having dinner with his family)Eagle Scholars Info Session
If you know anyone who might be a good fit for Eagle Scholars, please send them this information!
Click this link to join: https://southredford-org.zoom.us/j/89693041400
Wednesday, Dec 13, 2023, 05:30 PM
Zoom
"Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind." — Samuel Taylor Coleridge."
FAQ
A diverse community of leaders engaged in rigorous coursework and broad-based enrichment
The South Redford Eagle Scholars Program
Phone: 313-444-2590
Email: rory.hughes@southredford.org
Website: eaglescholars.southredford.org