Profiles of D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Students and Parents

 

Tiffany - 2008 Graduate, Archbishop Carroll High School

"I am determined to build a better life and want others in my community to have that chance as well".

Tiffany is the 2008 Valedictorian of Archbishop Carroll High School, which she attended since receiving a D.C. Opportunity Scholarship for 9th grade.

While at Carroll, Tiffany earned a 4.1 GPA and played on the basketball team. She says that a key motivation to work hard during her high school years has been the memory of her cousin who was shot and killed when he was only 17, before he could go to college. In addition to academics and sports, Tiffany was very involved in community service, including with projects assisting homeless individuals.

Tiffany will attend Syracuse University this coming fall, where she will major in bio-chemistry with a minor in French.

Jordan - Senior at Georgetown Day School

"The scholarship has changed my life. It means having opportunities that I may not have otherwise had, I want to be sure that my little sister has the same opportunities I was given to get a great education"

Jordan attended Takoma Educational Center from Pre-K through eighth grade. She was really disappointed when art classes - her passion - were removed from the curriculum. Jordan's mother was worried about finding a high school where she could have a chance to live up to her potential. Then she learned about, applied, and received a D.C. Opportunity Scholarship.

Jordan enrolled at Georgetown Day School beginning in ninth grade. She is now getting ready to enter her senior year and has been excelling academically, having recently been selected as a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Jordan has been able to explore her passion of art and community service projects, including teaching mini-art lessons and tutoring students at Tubman and Miner elementary. Jordan says that doors have opened up for her since receiving the scholarship, including having the opportunity to attend the Corcoran School of Art's Pre-College program and a scholarship to attend the Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Civic Leadership Institute. She says that none of these opportunities would have been possible without the Scholarship.

Joshua - 2008 Graduate, Archbishop Carroll High School

"I have been presented with opportunities since the first day I stepped foot in Carroll"

Joshua is a 2008 graduate of Archbishop Carroll, the school he attended for the past three years. He is headed to the University of the Pittsburgh with a scholarship.

While at Carroll, Joshua discovered his talent of writing as he excelled in English classes and worked on the school's literary magazine. He also had the opportunity to study abroad in South Africa for two weeks. He was the President of a teen club at the FBR branch of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington, and was recognized for his leadership by the Boys and Girls Club of America who asked him to serve as a teen ambassador.

Joshua is extremely grateful for the opportunities he was given through the D.C. OSP. He says he was able to meet interesting teachers who he believes not only took an interest in his academic success but also his extracurricular activities.

Cheryl - Parent of two D.C. OSP students

"It took a little time for my children to catch up as they were coming from a low-performing school. But they did. Both children also now have high self esteem and confidence. They love going to school so much."

Cheryl's two children, Kayla and Winston, both have an Opportunity Scholarship to attend the Ambassador School.

Prior to the program, her son couldn't read or write and her daughter never had any homework and was afraid of some of her classmates. She prayed for a better opportunity, and literally looked one day several years ago to see an ad on her bus about the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program.

She chose Ambassador because she was impressed with the level of parental involvement. She saw elementary students reading and writing in cursive. There were high expectations including a book report due every Friday, even for the Kindergarteners. Her daughter Kayla recently came in 4th place in a spelling bee of 17 area schools.

Loisa - Parent of a D.C. OSP student

"Thank you for allowing this program to be an option. My son came up to me and said this school is so exciting, I hope you are going to allow me to return to this school next year"

Loisa applied for a D.C. Opportunity Scholarship when she felt that her son was not being challenged and there was not enough structure

After looking at many schools, she chose Cornerstone Community School - Beulah Campus. Her son now wants be an astronaut after his class had a unit on space. Michael has described his class as new, exciting, and challenging and introduces him to things that he had not been exposed to before.

The Opportunity Scholarship Program has also had a direct impact on Loisa's life. Since her son has been in the program, Loisa received her bachelor's degree.