Another one for the books: the 2023 College Success Retreat!

August 22, 2023 in Uncategorized

PSP hosted its 11th annual College Success Retreat! This year, 24 scholars gathered at Scripps College in Claremont to attend a multitude of workshops in preparation for college application season as well as experience residential life as college students.  Scholars had the opportunity to hear from various experts in the fields of financial aid and college admissions.  Through partnerships with First Gen Empower and Financial Space, scholars now know what to expect on a college application, the different  types of higher education institutions, all about the FAFSA and the most favorable types of financial aid, how to search for scholarships and so much more! In addition, scholars attended session that explained college fit, helped them create their college list and started drafting their college essay. Mentors also participated in a workshop on how to support their college bound scholars.

The Lennox and El Monte PSP communities enjoyed getting to know each other through various activities, including an improv class led by WE Improv, which created comradery and had everyone laughing!  Scholars and mentors also toured the five Claremont Colleges and learned about their history and areas of focus. The scholars that attended last year’s retreat, which took place at USC, had the chance to compare the ambience of a small college versus that of a big research institution.

Attendees left knowing that they have a big support group within the PSP community. A scholar shared, “I loved this retreat, so sad it’s my last, but it I’m very grateful to have been able to have the experience of getting to know other scholars while learning important lesson of challenges up ahead…I feel more excited for what lies ahead whatever the challenge may be.” Check out a snapshot of our event in this video!

Scholars & Mentors Enjoy College Success Retreat at USC

August 29, 2022 in Uncategorized

In early August, Partnership Scholars Program hosted the 2022 College Success Retreat at the University of Southern California. After two years of virtual retreats, we were thrilled to come together in person. Twenty-eight rising juniors and seniors from the El Monte and Lennox regions spent the weekend at the university preparing for the upcoming college application season. Students had the chance to experience college life by staying in residence halls, eating at dining halls and exploring the beautiful campus. On Sunday, we were joined by rising sophomores for workshops on mental health, financial education and to hear from PSP alumni about their college experiences.

PSP Alumni Panel: Valeria (Cal State Long Beach), Patricia (UC Irvine), Kimberly (UC Irvine), Jessica (Vassar College), and Angel (Bucknell University)

Through a series of workshops, scholars gained a better understanding about the college admissions process, financial aid and scholarships. Our wonderful mentors shared their personal college experiences and advised students during the sessions. Five PSP alumni joined scholars to share their unique paths to college. They shed light on the challenges that first generation college students face  in higher education institutions and served as a source of inspiration to their younger peers. Click here to see the agenda for the weekend.

The retreat not only focused on preparing students for the college application process but also on teaching basic financial literacy skills and promoting personal wellness. PSP partnered with The Financial Space to bring scholars an engaging session that focused on teaching students strategies to build wealth. All scholars indicated that their confidence level to build a budget increased by the end of the session. In an anonymous poll, students were asked what they learned during the presentation. One student shared, “Investing can be a good thing and passive income is something to strive for.” Another scholar expressed, “It’s possible to build generational wealth.” PSP will continue to offer opportunities throughout the year to help students acquire and strengthen their financial literacy skills.

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Looking Back at the 20-21 School Year

August 11, 2021 in Uncategorized

This past school year, PSP scholars and mentors have gone above and beyond to keep in touch, grow as scholar/mentor groups, and continue preparing for college—all virtually and remotely.

Scholars and mentors reflected on their past year together and created visual journals about their experiences. The submissions were astounding. They identified high points—many PSP-related events and moments with their mentors— in their lives as a PSP scholar through a virtual world.

This video captures just a few of these high points of both scholars and mentors.

Since the pandemic began, PSP has updated and changed our programming to meet our community’s needs in a holistic way. While our primary mission is to support students on their path to college and career, we’ve always taken the approach that that success comes when students get to experience a full range of learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom.

This year, students and mentors together with the PSP team rose to that challenge.

 “Thank you PSP for giving me so many opportunities…. Especially this year, my senior year, with the college applications and financial aid workshops. They were a huge help.” – Vanessa, Graduating Senior

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Meet the PSP Class of 2021!

July 19, 2021 in Uncategorized

On Sunday, June 13, 2021 students, families, mentors, and supporters of Partnership Scholars came together virtually to celebrate the accomplishments and milestones of the graduating PSP Class of 2021.

PSP Grads from 7th Grade to Today (Slideshow):

The celebration included opening remarks by Lisa Ruben, PSP’s Executive Director, and Meg Sanchez, PSP’s Board Chair. They congratulated the graduating scholars and their families. Meg told scholars that it is because of their parents’ and caregivers’ encouragement and support that they as 7th graders were in a position to be eligible for PSP. “And it’s because of them that you now have a foundation to jump to the next chapter of your life,” shared Meg.

Click here to read what scholars from all four PSP regions shared about their time in PSP. 

One of the highlights of the virtual celebration was the mentor and scholar videos. Mentors gave a few words of wisdom to their scholars they’ve mentored for nearly six years. One mentor, Cathy Rodriguez, shared to her two scholars Anthony and Eduardo, “Over the last few years, it has been a pleasure watching you both take on the many challenges and adventures and at the same time keeping an open heart and mind. Remember to never quit before you try, continue to keep your dreams big, continue to climb, and continue to aspire to excellence.

Mentor Reflections on the Class of 2021:

Another special moment during the celebration was when students themselves spoke on their PSP experiences and shared their future endeavors.  Three scholars were selected to represent their regions and shared their own experiences and hopes for the future during the graduation:

Karla from El Monte, “It is a rewarding feeling knowing that whether we know what we want to do or not, we’re all rooting for each other and proud of each other. It’s been honor to have been surrounded by really great friends and students like them.”

Class of 2021 Reflections on their PSP Experience: 

This year, across all the regions PSP serves, 25 students graduated from the program, with scholars attending a variety of colleges, including as Colgate University, our founder’s Glenn Langer’s alma mater, UCLA, Cal Poly Pomona, and many more!

You can watch the full graduation ceremony here. 
Congratulations to the class of 2021, their families and their mentors!!

College Success Retreat Goes Virtual

December 3, 2020 in Uncategorized

PSP transformed our annual College Success Retreat into an online event this past summer and fall due to COVID 19. All rising 11th and 12th grade scholars participated in three months of weekly workshops, instead of taking part in our usual in-person intensive on a college campus. Each week they focused on a different topic to support them in their college planning.

Scholars learned how to research and create their college and scholarship lists, learned about financial aid and reviewed the timeline and steps in the  college application process. Through an expanded partnership with The Plus Me Project, PSP scholars participated in a series of storytelling workshops where they explored their personal life stories, creating a blueprint for their college essays.

Scholars used an online tool called Jamboard to anonymously share their financial aid questions & concerns with staff and mentors.

Scholars also learned organization/time management techniques and how to put together a resume, invaluable life skills for our future young professionals. Near the culmination, scholars attended a PSP Alumni Panel where they had the opportunity to converse with our current first generation college scholars. 

(Clockwise) Thae, attending UC Santa Barbara; Alexis, attending CSU Dominguez Hills; Quisi, attending Beloit College; Kimberly, attending UC Irvine.

Click Here to Listen to the PSP Alumni Panel Discussion 

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Introducing the PSP Class of 2025, El Monte Cohort

February 6, 2020 in Uncategorized

Introducing PSP’s Class of 2025, El Monte Cohort

Picture of PSP's new 7th grade scholars

Eight new 7th grade scholars join PSP at induction ceremony

Partnership Scholars Program started the New Year in high spirits as we inducted eight new students from El Monte into PSP’s Class of 2025 cohort. Board members, donors, alumni, current scholars, and the principal and staff members of Charles T. Kranz Intermediate School joined the PSP community to celebrate this momentous event for all the new students.

Before the new 7th grade scholars were presented, we heard from the current 8th grade scholars, who shared their experience and advice from the past year. With guidance from Kranz teacher and long-time PSP mentor Camille Osburn, the students created presenations that they shared – along with laughs and advice for PSP’s newest students.

Click to see the 8th grade presentations:    

Hannan & Johnny       Francess & Jazmin    

Aaron, Frankie & Daniel        Jacqueline & Katherine   

Click here to learn more about mentoring PSP students. 

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Introducing the PSP Class of 2025, Lennox Cohort

December 9, 2019 in Uncategorized

Partnership Scholars Program had the pleasure of introducing the newest PSP Scholars to the larger Lennox community at an induction ceremony on a rainy November night. Board members, school staff, PSP alumni, donors, families, mentors and current scholars celebrated these eight new students.

You can read what each student wrote about joining PSP at the end of this piece.

Angel, a current PSP Scholar now in his senior year at Animo Leadership Charter High School,  imparted advice to new students and shared his experience thus far in the program.  Calling PSP “a once in a life time milestone,” Angel emphasized five benefits of being part of PSP, including financial assistance, cultural awareness, personal growth, mentorship, and collegial awareness. Use the links below to hear Angel talk about…

 

Personal Growth    College Visits    His Goals    Advice for Scholars

Click here to learn about becoming a PSP mentor this year. 

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