BOSTON – The Posse Foundation, Inc., has named 26 members of the Boston Public Schools Class of 2009 as Posse Scholars. (See list attached.)
The students, representing 13 Boston public high schools, will receive full-tuition leadership merit scholarships to top-ranked liberal arts colleges.
“We are so proud of these young men and women,” said Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. “Through leadership and academic achievement, they have earned a unique opportunity to pursue higher education at some of the finest institutions in the nation.”
The scholars will begin a Pre-Collegiate Training Program this month.
The Posse Foundation identifies public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be overlooked by traditional college selection processes. Posse’s partner colleges and universities award Posse Scholars four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarships. The concept of a Posse works for both students and college campuses, and is rooted in the belief that a small, diverse group of talented students—a Posse—carefully selected and trained, can serve as a catalyst for increased individual and community development.
Identified for their leadership ability and overall motivation to succeed, Posse Scholars head campus organizations, encourage dialogue and programs that foster an inclusive campus environment and achieve academic success. These Scholars graduate at a rate of 90 percent and make a visible difference on campus and throughout their professional careers. Posse has sites in Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C.
2009 Posse Scholars from Boston Public Schools
NOTE: Each student’s home neighborhood is in parentheses.
Another Course to College:
Mario Zepeda (Brighton), Denison University
Boston Arts Academy:
Elyas Harris (Dorchester), Bucknell University
Boston Latin Academy:
Adedotun Odewale (Dorchester), Bucknell University
Mahilet Oluma (Dorchester), Bucknell University
Stanthia Ryan (Mattapan), Hamilton College
Boston Latin School:
Gemma Falivene (Dorchester), Bucknell University
Elizabeth Ko (Dorchester), Centre College
Rebecca McCarthy (South Boston), Bucknell University
Cristhel Santillan (Hyde Park), Bryn Mawr College
Brighton High School:
Stephen Diaz (Hyde Park), Centre College
Alex Tisme (Hyde Park), Hamilton College
East Boston High School:
Abdulkadir Ali (East Boston), Denison University
Jonathan Avila (East Boston), Centre College
Lakiyra Williams (Roxbury), Bucknell University
The English High School:
Lisha Andrew (Dorchester), Bryn Mawr College
Fenway High School:
Jonathan Lebron (Roslindale), Union College
Health Careers Academy:
Elizabeth Centeio (Dorchester), Bryn Mawr College
Arielle Donelan (Mission Hill), Centre College
Victor Gonzalez (East Boston), Bucknell University
Joscelyn Harris (Dorchester), Denison University
Lillian Semedo (South Boston), Centre College
O’Bryant School of Math & Science:
Agnes Gakpo (Roxbury), Centre College
Henry Lee (Charlestown), Centre College
Media Communications Technology High School:
Ronald Germán (South Boston), Hamilton College
Snowden International School:
Jermaine Ellis (Mission Hill), Denison University
TechBoston Academy:
Samaria Austin (Roxbury), Centre College