IN THIS EDITION
PARENTS MOTIVATE, ENCOURAGE THEIR COLLEGE-BOUND KIDS
One family’s journey and bright future with NEW Scholars.
With two cohorts now graduated, we’re seeing some exciting trends.
Students shine at our Lamp of Knowledge event.
Scholarship recipient Alayna tackles new challenges, thanks to you!
PARENTS MOTIVATE, ENCOURAGE THEIR COLLEGE-BOUND KIDS
ONE FAMILY’S JOURNEY AND BRIGHT FUTURE WITH NEW SCHOLARS
It was the spring of 2015, and Armando and Juventina had their eyes on the future. Their oldest child, Gicell, would soon begin sixth grade, and they’d heard about an afterschool program that helps prepare middle school students for college. So they set out to learn more. “We enrolled Gicell in NEW Scholars because it was the best option for her to get into college,” explains Armando, ”and to help her get scholarships and pay for college.”
While Armando and Juventina encouraged Gicell to do her best in school, they faithfully participated in the monthly NEW Scholars parent workshops. “We learn a lot in the parent sessions; there is always something new we take away that helps us help our kids,” Armando says. “We like hearing from students who recently graduated, and it’s helpful knowing the other parents and students who want to be successful, too.”
Her parents’ engagement at NEW Scholars and in her academics wasn’t lost on Gicell. “My parents kept me motivated,” she says. “I know they always dreamed of going to college, but they didn’t get the opportunity. Every day they tell me that I can do it, and that they want me to succeed.”
As years passed and their family grew, they enrolled their younger children—Freddy, now in 10th grade, and Maryana, a 7th grader—in the NEW Scholars program, too. “Gicell is a great example for her siblings,” says Armando. “We would be proud to have all of our children go to college and be successful for themselves.”
Gicell, who graduated from NEW Scholars in 2022 and now studies Accounting at UW-Green Bay, echoes their wishes. “I want my siblings to pursue their interests,” she explains. “I hope they do what they want, since they will have their own life, their own career. They’ve got to decide what they like and push through the challenges to get there.”
For this family, the end of the story is far from over. “We’ve worked hard so they can get an education,” Armando says, smiling. “We want our kids to have a career they will enjoy – that’s the goal. And graduating from college would make our family so proud.”
These students are becoming the first in their family to pursue a college degree. Your support allows them to follow their dreams!
CHEERING ON LOCAL YOUTH
STUDENTS SHINE AT LAMP OF KNOWLEDGE CELEBRATION
Our community came together to support deserving, college-bound students at the annual Lamp of Knowledge Celebration on July 14 at Green Bay’s Meyer Theater. It was a night to remember, with this year’s high school graduates receiving their scholarship awards, followed by an introduction of incoming NEW Scholars, the Class of 2029.
Highlights included Bill Jartz of WBAY-TV2 as our emcee, a post-event reception where scholarship donors had a chance to meet their student recipients, and a fantastic keynote address from local entrepreneur and equal rights advocate Tara Yang.
Tara spoke about her own experiences growing up in Green Bay and as a first-generation college student, and the positive impact that scholarships—such as the CollegeReady scholarship she received—had on her life. “It’s so nostalgic to be standing here on this stage tonight, because 13 years ago I was in your position,” she said. “When I walked across the stage, that was the moment I realized that hard work does pay off.”
CollegeReady awarded over $460,000 in scholarships to 167 local students this year.
Click here to visit our event page to view more photos and the recorded event video!
75% of COLLEGE-BOUND NEW SCHOLARS STAY LOCAL
YOUR KINDNESS BENEFITS YOUTH RIGHT HERE AT HOME
Now that CollegeReady has successfully graduated two cohorts of NEW Scholars (Class of 2021 and Class of 2022), we’re seeing an exciting trend: 75% of our grads have chosen to attend a local college or university.
“Our students have strong ties to their families and this community,” says Executive Director Brent Roubal. “Many students decide that studying close to home is what’s best for them.”
Thanks to your generosity, students receiving funding from CollegeReady can use their scholarship at any fully-accredited college or university in the United States. “But the fact that so many of our NEW Scholars students have chosen to remain in Green Bay is significant,” shares Brent. “These young people are staying here to study. After graduation, they’re likely to join our workforce, become active members of the community, and build lives here.”
With the new school year off and running, we wish all of our students a great first semester, wherever they’ll be studying!
YOUR SUPPORT HELPS ALAYNA TACKLE NEW CHALLENGES
THIS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT IS FOLLOWING HER PASSION
“I grew up in the city, so my experience with the outdoors was limited, but in the past school year, I challenged myself to learn as many outdoors skills as I can. I’m involved in the Wildlife Society and Women in Natural Resources, and I lead student wildlife projects on campus. I’ve learned to identify over 170 species of plants by scientific and common name! My dreams are always changing, but after college I hope to work with waterfowl and in wetlands.
Your scholarship offers opportunities for young adults like me, who are dreaming of education and the future, but who cannot afford it otherwise. You are helping to create a new generation of students that are genuinely so passionate for their fields and want to do good for the world.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. Thank you!”
ALAYNA
Sturgeon Bay High School, 2020 grad | 2020-22 scholarship recipient
Alayna tracks Ruffed Grouse using
radio telemetry at UW-Stevens Point
