MAY 2009 E-NEWSLETTER

Meet the sophomores!

Summer Search has just wrapped up our most successful recruitment season ever. With the help of our dedicated referral partners and nominating teachers, we welcomed a record-breaking 476 new sophomores into our program, and now we invite you to meet them too. In this newsletter, we are proud to present Lewis, Marjorie, Estefania, DeMauriae, Jean, Carmen, and Jacqueline in their own words. Please come along to meet them and their peers in the Class of 2011 in person at a Summer Search event near you!

Lewis, Summer Search Philadelphia
“To earn my spot in Summer Search was such a great honor. I talk to Adam every week. To have somebody who looks out for me, to have somebody who actually cares – a male figure in my life – is a great thing to have. Not many African males nowadays have something like that. I felt like that was missing in my life, before.” read more>

Marjorie, Summer Search New York City
“Before Summer Search, I was really shy. If I had to call for something, I would just ask my Mom to do it. Now, from Summer Search, I’m making my own phone calls, and I’m really getting involved in my community. Like I just took part in an event to stand up against bullying in our school, and I’ve been gathering signatures for a petition. It feels good – I’m getting help now, and I’m giving help back. My friends tell me that I’m happier and more open too.” read more>

Estefania, Summer Search Seattle
“When I first heard about Summer Search, I thought it was a great opportunity – like a once in a lifetime opportunity. It sounded really good – like not true, you know? When I got my acceptance packet I was speechless. My interview was scary, because you’re talking to four complete strangers, but it was completely worth it. I think Summer Search is going to help me for the future, to help me be ready and be mature and reach my goals.” read more>

DeMauriae, Summer Search San Francisco
“The mentoring is the most exciting part of Summer Search because I’ve never had anyone who I could really express myself to on a weekly basis. Usually I just bottle it all up inside of me and it becomes a big burden on my shoulders. In the beginning it was hard talking to a complete stranger, but now I’m able to just be DeMauriae and loosen up a little bit and have a regular conversation about things that are going on my life. Our relationship is starting to build a lot, because I’m starting to talk about things I normally wouldn’t say. When I’m done talking with her each week, I feel good.” read more>

Carmen, Summer Search Silicon Valley
“My interview was really difficult. I still wanted to be in the program though, because I know when things are difficult, it’s because something really good is going to happen later. Everyday when I would go home, I would look in the mailbox, and when I saw the paper from Summer Search, nobody was home, and I couldn’t believe it! I wanted to tell everyone right away! I didn’t expect it, because I know they wouldn’t choose everyone.” read more>

Jean, Summer Search Boston
“I have two friends who are in Summer Search and they always talk about it. My friends told me that it was very challenging, and that there were bad times too, but at the end they felt like that had accomplished something. I thought that sounded like a really good feeling, so I wanted to get it too.” read more>

Jacqueline, Summer Search North San Francisco Bay
“I think because I showed them how much I want to be in it and how much I’m willing to learn and how much I want to help other people. I personally thought that I did not so good of a job in my interview. They wanted me to just speak and open up, and at some points I didn’t know what to say. I guess maybe in the future I can see myself as a leader. I have to work on it, definitely.” read more>

A huge welcome to the Class of 2011 – we’re so glad to have you as part of the Summer Search family!
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An enormous thank you to all our referral partners, who worked tirelessly to nominate students and support them in the program! We couldn’t do it without you!
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Our sincere appreciation to all our donors, summer program partners, and volunteers, whose generosity is the reason we can offer so many motivated, altruistic low-income students the support and opportunities they need to change their lives!