The Latest

August 15, 2011

Philadelphia Scholars launches new mentoring program with Shire Pharmaceuticals

Nine Philadelphia Scholars boarded a bus to Shire Pharmaceuticals’ Chesterbrook site on Thursday, July 21, 2011 to meet their new mentors. These nine students are part of a group of 12 Scholars starting their sophomore year of college who have been paired with 12 Shire employees in the newly launched “Philadelphia Education Fund & Shire Mentoring Program.”

The pairs met at the kick-off Meet and Greet event, which started off with ice-breaker activities and focused on establishing rapport and building relationships within each mentor/mentee pair. They were matched with each other based on characteristics such as gender, interests and college major.

This pilot program for both the Ed Fund and Shire Pharmaceuticals came about when Ed Fund Board Treasurer David Baker, vice president of strategic commercialization at Shire Pharmaceuticals, wanted his company to be more directly involved with the Scholars program. The Mentoring Program aims to increase college retention
and graduation rates for Scholars and help them prepare for careers after college.

“We want mentees to walk away with a lasting relationship. This might be the first positive relationship with an adult for some of them,” said Vaneeda Days, scholarship coordinator for the Philadelphia Scholars Program.

The 12 selected Shire mentors met the qualifications set forth by the Scholars Program, which included having the sincere desire to be personally involved with a college student and help him/her to achieve academic and personal goals; having the ability to openly and non-judgmentally communicate with college-aged youth; and having practical problem-solving skills. All mentors came together for a 3-hour training event on Wednesday, June 29 to discuss the benefits of mentoring and the qualities of an effective and successful mentor.

From a pool of 289 Scholars, 12 were selected for the pilot cohort who had expressed an interest in being mentored on their scholarship application form.

Mentors and mentees are encouraged to maintain frequent communication throughout the school year through phone or e-mail. There will be a winter get-together event for all mentor/mentee pairs and a final event to close out the school year.

While starting off with a small cohort, the program aims to grow, develop and advance after this pilot year.

April 14, 2011

Tournament and Soiree Raise Funds for College Scholarships

The Philadelphia Scholars Program raised over $50,000 during its 5th annual Score 4 Scholarships Basketball Tournament and celebratory soiree.

On Sunday, we had an exciting day of basketball games at the University of Pennsylvania’s historic Palestra Gymnasium. The tournament ended with a nail-biting championship game played by Fox Rothschild and the Visiting Nurse Group. Fox Rothschild won in the last minute of play. Congratulations to Fox Rothschild and to all of our players!

In between games, players and spectators heard the inspiring stories of several students. Ashley Moore, a current Scholar, thanked the players, noting that their participation “really makes a difference.” The Philadelphia Scholars Program awards college scholarships, renewable up to six years, to graduates of Philadelphia public high schools.

Thank you to our 2011 tournament sponsors: Comcast, Fox Rothschild, Pepper Hamilton LLP, Vetri Foundation for Children, Morgan Stanley, Osteria, University of Pennsylvania Athletics, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals. A special shout-out to the event’s many volunteers, including our wonderful referees, who made sure that participants and spectators had an enjoyable experience.

We also send a special thanks to Marc Vetri, Jeff Michaud, and Jeff Benjamin who graciously opened the doors of their acclaimed restaurant, Osteria, to us on Monday evening following the tournament. At Osteria, Kareem Edwards, a Scholars alum who is now a teacher in the School District of Philadelphia, announced, “I am going to donate tonight. I hope all of you will as well.”

Later in the evening, Karen Stokes of the Philadelphia Education Fund announced an anonymous matching gift of $25,000 to the Philadelphia Scholars Program. Help us meet the match by donating today!

For more information about the Philadelphia Scholars Program and how you can help support tomorrow’s leaders, please contact Karen Stokes, Senior Development Officer, at 215-665-1400 ext. 3329 or kstokes@philaedfund.org.

December 8, 2010

Gates Millennium Scholar Grateful for College Access Program

The third and final student featured in the Philadelphia Tribune’s three-part series about the Ed Fund and its impact on local students is Xavier Brown.

Xavier is a 2010 graduate of Paul Robeson High School and a 2010 Gates Millennium Scholar. Xavier credits Gisell James, his former College Access Coordinator, with helping him prepare for the SATs, fill-out college applications, and complete the financial aid processes, which included the Gates Millennium Scholarship application. “She helped me go above and beyond,” Xavier said. “People struggle to go above and beyond.

Today, Xavier attends Eastern University, is considering pursuing a career in physical therapy, sports medicine or psychology.

> Read Xavier's story

November 24, 2010

Former Student Grateful for College Access and Philadelphia Scholars Programs

The second student featured in the Philadelphia Tribune’s three-part series about the Ed Fund and its impact on local students is Shanee Garner.

Shanee is a 2003 graduate of West Philadelphia High School and a 2007 graduate of Chestnut Hill College. Shanee credits the College Access and Philadelphia Scholars programs with helping her secure the funds she needed to attend college. "I always knew that I would go to college but I didn’t know how I would get there," Shanee said. "The College Access Center bridged that gap."

Today, Shanee works as a teacher at Kensington Urban Education Academy and encourages her students to work hard and seek out resources to make college a reality.

> Read Shanee's story

November 19, 2010

Congratulations to Mohamed Kakay, 2010 Rising Star EDDY Winner

For his demonstration of academic promise and civic leadership, Mohamed Kakay (pictured below, right), is the recipient of the 2010 Rising Star EDDY Award. The Rising Star EDDY is awarded annually to a college student in the College Access/Philadelphia Scholars program whose success exemplifies the unlimited potential of Philadelphia's youth.

Mohamed is a senior at Widener University and a graduate of University City High School. Mohamed was born in Sierra Leone and came to the United States as an adolescent. Although he struggled with a language barrier and the absence of his family’s support, Mohamed remained diligent and relied on his will and determination to find opportunities and resources, including the College Access Program and the Philadelphia Scholars Program.

Today, Mohamed prepares to graduate from Widener University with a minor in French and a triple major in Sociology, Government Politics, and International Relations.

Mohamed received his award, along with the other 2010 Stars of Public Education, during the Ed Fund's 2010 EDDY Awards, on November 16th. While presenting the Rising Star EDDY, Leroy Nunery, School District of Philadelphia Deputy Superintendent (pictured left) referred to Mohamed as "Superman in Waiting," praising his ambitious academic goals and civic responsibilities.

During his remarks, Mohamed thanked his parents and family, and Lai Har Cheung, his College Access Coordinator, who "has given me so much guidance. I would not have been able to navigate the college process without her dedication and support."

> View photographs of the 2010 EDDY Awards

November 16, 2010

Students Reflect on Ed Fund's Impact in Local Newspaper Series

In celebration of the Ed Fund's 25th anniversary, The Philadelphia Tribune is featuring a three-part series on former students that have benefitted from the Ed Fund's College Access and Philadelphia Scholars programs.

The first student featured is Darryl Davis (pictured below, left), a 2006 graduate of Roxborough High School and 2010 graduate of Penn State University. Darryl credits the College Access Program with helping him learn about more about college. "It changed my life because it broadened my horizons,” Darryl said. “It opened my eyes.”

Today, Darryl's appreciation of a college education has led him to become a College Counselor for Pennsylvania College Advising Corps, a program run by Penn State University that aims to increase the number of first-generation college going students.

> Read Darryl's story

October 5, 2010

Philadelphia Scholars Prepares for 2010-2011 Academic Year

Philadelphia Scholars Program: First Year Experiences Orientation

In preparation of the 2010-2011 academic year, the Philadelphia Scholars Program hosted a successful orientation for first-year students, pictured right.

Since the program's inception, the Philadelphia Scholars Program has awarded over $9 million in scholarships to nearly 1,900 Philadelphia public school students.

> See if you're eligible for a Philadelphia Scholars Program college scholarship

> See the list of current Philadelphia Scholars colleges and universities

October 5, 2010

Save the Date: 2011 Score 4 Scholarships Basketball Tournament

The 2011 Score 4 Scholarships Basketball Tournament will take place at The Palestra on Sunday, April 10th, 2011.

For information, contact Karen Stokes at kstokes@philaedfund.org or 215-665-1400, ext. 3329

> View 2010 sponsors

> View photographs from previous tournament

June 29, 2010

Philadelphia Scholars Celebrates 20th Anniversary

2010 was an exciting year for the Philadelphia Scholars Program, as it celebrated its 20^th anniversary!

2010 Celebration of Scholars

The 2010 Celebration of Scholars took place on Tuesday, June 8^th at the Comcast Center. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Philadelphia Scholars Program. During the evening, guests praised the success of the scholarship recipients and honored the Program’s Early Champions in attendance.

Featured student speakers included:

Darryl Davis, Graduate of Pennsylvania State University
Jose Figueroa, Sophomore, Dickinson College
Blair Oberton, Senior, Cornell University
Dandridge Worthington, Junior, Saint Joseph's University

Wilfredo Ortiz, Deputy Chief, Academic Counseling and Promotion Standards, School District of Philadelphia, also spoke during the evening's program and congratulated the students on their continued academic accomplishments. Otis Hackney, III, Principal, South Philadelphia High School and one of the original Philadelphia Scholars college scholarship recipients (pictured below, left), presented A. Morris Williams, Jr. (pictured below, right), with a Mayoral Proclamation for his dedicated service to the program and the many students who've benefitted from it. Williams is one of the program's Early Champions.

Otis Hackney, III and A. Morris Williams, Jr.

> View photographs from the 2010 Celebration of Scholars

> View 2010 Celebration of Scholars Program

philadelphia Scholars recognition at SRC Meeting

The celebration continued on Wednesday, June 16^th, when the Philadelphia Scholars Program received a citation approved by the School District of Philadelphia's School Reform Commission to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Azherae Gary, Philadelphia Scholars Student Dr. Arlene Ackerman and members of the School Reform Commission extended their congratulations and thanks to the program for supporting Philadelphia public school students.

Several Philadelphia Scholars and alumni, including Azsherae Gary (pictured right), spoke during the meeting and explained how the Philadelphia Scholars college scholarship can change lives. Gary, a senior at Bryn Mawr College, encouraged other students to challenge themselves. "The Philadelphia Scholars Program's support," Gary noted, "gives me the ability to work towards excellence and contribute to change."

Also present to accept the citation were Carol S. Fixman, Executive Director, Philadelphia Education Fund, Thomasennia Amos, College Access Director, College Access Program, and Arthur S. Baldadian, Incoming Chair, Scholars Advisory Committee.

> View Citation

The Ed Fund’s Philadelphia Scholars Program was created in 1990, in conjunction with the College Access Program, to promote college access and student success. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $8 million to over 1,800 Philadelphia public high school students. For the current academic year, the program awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships to 317 students.

April 15, 2010

Philadelphia Scholars Score Big with Tournament and Osteria Soiree

On Sunday, April 11^th, players, fans, and Philadelphia Scholars Program supporters gathered a the historic Palestra Gymnasium at the University of Pennsylvania for the fourth annual Score 4 Scholarships Basketball Tournament. The tournament featured an "NCAA Style" bracket that included three competitive divisions with eight basketball teams in each division.

Congratulations to the winning teams:

9am: Fox Rothschild, LLP

12pm: Legends of the Palestra

3pm: Johnson, Fenner & Levy

New to the tournament, the H-O-R-S-E competition gave players, including nine year old Liam Ward (pictured right), another opportunity to shoot some hoops and participate in the fun.

The excitement didn't stop at the tournament! On Monday, April 12^th, Osteria co-owners Marc Vetri, Jeff Michaud, and Jeff Benjamin graciously opened their restaurant for the annual Soiree at Osteria. While enjoying Osteria's ambiance and delicious food, guests raised a celebratory glass to the success of the annual basketball tournament.

Throughout the tournament and Soiree at Osteria, the Philadelphia Scholars in attendance reminded the crowd of the real reason for the events: to raise money and awareness in support of the Philadelphia Scholars Program. Shanee Garner, a 2003 West Philadelphia High School graduate and 2007 Chestnut Hill College graduate, thanked attendees for their commitment to public education. "Creating opportunities for one," Garner reflected, "can have rippling effects for all."

Honorable Seth Williams, Philadelphia District Attorney (pictured below), was also present to celebrate the success of the annual tournament, and he praised the work of the Philadelphia Scholars Program. Williams, a Central High School graduate, remarked about the importance of quality public education and stated that, "a lack of education leads to a lack of opportunities."

With support from sponsors and generous contributions from individuals, the Philadelphia Scholars Program raised over $50,000 to support its Last Dollar college scholarships! Photographs from the event were also featured on the Philadelphia Magazine's website.

Finally, we would like to express our deepest gratitude and say “thank you so much” to John Dugan and the tournament’s referees. This year is their fourth year of officiating and their participation is critical to the tournament’s success! All of the games were called in a fair and professional manner. The Philadelphia Scholars Program would also like to thank its numerous sponsors, who were also critical to the tournament's success.

> View photographs from the tournament

> View photographs from the Soiree at Osteria

> View 2010 tournament sponsors