IN THIS EDITION
Spotlighting scholarship recipients & NEW Scholars at our 2021 Lamp of Knowledge Celebration
Thanks to you, these students are first in their family to attend college
This scholarship recipient wants to help others, and shares her gratitude for our financial support
NEW Scholars parents will visit college campuses each month in 2021-22!
FULFILLING COLLEGE DREAMS
Because of you, Lisandra is realizing her dream of becoming a nurse
“I’m feeling very nervous, but also excited to become a college student,” explains NEW Scholar Lisandra, who is entering the Nursing program at NWTC this fall. She intends to become a RN and work in the NICU. “I want to work with babies because of my twin brothers, who were born prematurely. It made me happy to see the NICU nurses care for my brothers, because my family couldn’t be with them for the first two months of their life,” she shares.
Throughout the school year, the Class of 2021 stayed busy submitting applications for college, scholarships, and financial aid. This group included the inaugural cohort of NEW Scholars – our first-ever graduates of the program – who spent the last seven years preparing for the final steps in their journey toward college.
But it wasn’t until CollegeReady’s College Signing Day on May 26th, when these students put pen to paper and made their college choice official.
Our college-bound NEW Scholars have achieved a goal they set for themselves back in the sixth grade: to be the first in their family to earn a post-secondary degree. They’re now well on their way, and your generosity is the reason we can help these remarkable students make that dream a reality.
YOUR GENEROSITY IS THE REASON WE CAN HELP THESE REMARKABLE STUDENTS MAKE THEIR COLLEGE DREAMS A REALITY
“I’m ending one chapter of my life and starting a new one,” Lisandra says, with a smile. “I’m very excited.”
KAREN SAYS THANK YOU!
“Nursing is a career with endless opportunities to continue learning new things every day. I want to be someone who brings joy and relief to those who are ill. I know that my grit and self-determination will allow me to be successful in the healthcare field, and that people will benefit from my caring nature.
Your financial help will allow me to spend more time in school and worry less about the financial aspect of college.
Thank you for this meaningful scholarship. One day I hope to give back my knowledge, passion and care to those who need it most.”
KAREN
Green Bay East High School graduate
2018, 2019 scholarship recipient
HEADED TO CAMPUS
Regular visits to a college campus turn the college dream into reality
Thanks to collaboration between UW-Green Bay and CollegeReady, monthly NEW Scholars parent workshops will be held on the UW-Green Bay campus during the 2021-22 school year.
“The importance of feeling a sense of belonging can’t be understated, so the opportunity to get parents on campus regularly is really exciting,” shares NEW Scholars Director, Carmen Lax. Studies show that first-generation college students are less likely to enroll in college, so improving access to higher education is a top priority for NEW Scholars. “By becoming ‘regulars’ on campus,” she continues, “we foresee our parents and students more comfortable knowing college is the right place for them.”
In addition to monthly parent workshops, NEW Scholars will also resume in-person, weekly after school sessions with students. “And,” Carmen says, “we’re back to organizing in-person college visits this year!”
Throughout the pandemic, NEW Scholars continued supporting families virtually, but our staff is looking forward to meeting in-person again.
Speaking for everyone at CollegeReady, Carmen says: “We are excited and ready for the new school year!”
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Our special event was extra special in 2021
After a whirlwind year of virtual-only events due to the pandemic, CollegeReady enthusiastically said “YES!” to getting together in-person! With careful consideration and a cautious approach, the organization hosted its annual Lamp of Knowledge Celebration scholarship awards ceremony at the Meyer Theater in Green Bay.
The July 15th event, which was socially distanced and required facemasks, put the spotlight on deserving students and encouraged their goal of earning a college degree. At this year’s Lamp of Knowledge Celebration, we awarded scholarships to college-bound students and introduced our incoming NEW Scholars, the Class of 2028.
Click here to visit our Lamp of Knowledge page – view our event photos, watch the video, and learn more about this very special annual recognition event!
