Inspire.Support. Believe.

Thank You:We are grateful to these generous donors for gifts in support of our students: Amgen Foundation, Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Cavanagh Company, Cox Charities, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Ocean State Charities Trust, Taco/The White Family Foundation, Textron Charitable Founda-tion, United Way of Rhode Island, and Weybosset Research & Management.

Inside:Scenes from our Crusader scrapbook and more advice from seniors.

On the web:For all the latest news: www.thecollegecrusade.org/blog

Graduation Is the BeginningOur 2015 seniors have achieved a lot – and they’re just getting started

S P R I N G - S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

The 1000 Hour Club recognizes Crusaders who have high levels of participation in our programs since sixth grade. On June 2, 2015, members of our 1000 Hour Club received certificates of honor at the Rhode Island State House as part of our 2015 GEAR UP Day celebration. Congratulations to everyone for your dedication and commitment to achievement!

uCrusaders with more than 1000 hours of participation:

Arianna Davey, grade 11Shea Senior High School, 1276 hours

Ariel Davey, grade 11Shea Senior High School, 1218 hours

Vanessa Franco, grade 11Shea Senior High School, 1204 hours

Liliana Barros-DeLaCruz, grade 11Shea Senior High School, 1105 hours

Chris Miranda, grade 12Blackstone Academy, 1076 hours

Sebastian Zuleta, grade 12Central Falls High School, 1032 hours

Rene Colato, grade 11Classical High School, 1019 hours

Jelit Martinez, grade 12Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Performing Arts, 1019 hours

Continued on page 3

Congratulations to our 1000 Hour Club for 2015!

Sebastian Zuleta ‘15Graduating from: Central Falls High School. Favorite subjects: Science and English. Why: “We are all part of life, so it’s important to know how life works. It’s also important to know how to communicate.” Plans to attend: U.S. Naval Academy. To study: Chemistry and Arabic. Advice for Crusaders going into high school: “Never give up on anything. Dream big. There will be times when you think you can’t go on, but you can. Nothing worthwhile comes easy. When you push through, the success will feel glorious.”

Jelit Martinez ‘15Graduating from: Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Performing Arts. Favorite subject: A tie between science and math. Senior portfolio: Featured a piece on environmental science that she is interested in pursuing. Specifically: Laws protecting endangered species. Will attend: University of Rhode Island. To major in: Wildlife & Conservation Biology. Her main interest: The big cats. Advice for Crusaders going into high school: “Don’t procrastinate. Focus on schoolwork starting right away in your freshman year.”

More seniors on page 3!

Find us on Facebook: www.thecollegecrusade. org/facebook

Find us on twitter: @collegecrusade

Family Engagement NewsbytesThis summer features a 10-week workshop for families called Dave Ramsey’s Foundations in Per-sonal Finance. We also offer our 16 Summers program. And our annual Family Fun Day is on for Sunday, Sept 6. More to come!

A message from the President

Dear Crusaders and families,

Now that the school year is over, and the summer has just begun, we all have a moment to take a big breath and relax. Let me share a few pieces of advice for you to think about over the next two months.

As you strive to become the very best student you can possibly be, learn to set aside time to periodically gauge your own progress toward success on your pathway to college. Learning to “self-assess” is one of the most important attributes you can develop because it will help you improve in the areas you value.

As you establish academic goals for yourself, also learn to ask for feedback from your advisors, parents, and other adult mentors. Be open to their constructive sug-gestions and map out action steps you need to take to build your own academic capacity for the career choices you are considering. Be tenacious and relentless in your pursuit of preparing yourself for college and ultimately a career.

Remember, there are dreamers and there are doers – what the world needs is dreamers who can do!

Sincerely yours,

President & CEO

Scenes from our Crusader scrapbook

Above, Isaiah Antonetti and Braillee Sanchez keep the music playing as radio station deejays during a visit to Exchange City in February. At left, Col-lege Crusade Advisor Dwayne Clement tours the campus of Connecticut College with Joyce Woniewala, Toyin Ogunleye, Nelly Rosales, Alisha Toribio, and Dreana Diaz.

Above, everybody smiles at the 3rd annual College Crusade Alumni Career Fair, which took place on April 18. At left, Shea High School senior Karla Argueta speaks to an audience of Crusaders in June at our 2015 Rhode Island GEAR UP Day at the State House while Governor Gina Raimondo listens.

Alvaro Morales ‘15“It gets real. But don’t come into high school too serious, because the memories are im-portant. When you’re in class pay attention, but enjoy everything, too.” Will attend: Rhode Is-land School of Design.

Renny Vinas ‘15 “Work really hard and do all the Crusade programs you can. You get to meet a lot of dif-ferent people and learn information you need to know, like how to get financial aid.” Will attend: Roger Williams University.

Michael Jimenez ‘15 “Don’t be intimidated by everything new Stay on track and do what you need to do, and you’ll get where you need to be.” Will attend: Providence College.

Oliade Ajiboye ‘15 “Take everything in. Four years flies by. Find a balance doing things you are really passionate about.” Will attend: Northeastern University.

Secrets from Seniors:Advice for Crusaders going into high schoolContinued from page 1

989 Natasha Gaspar972 Patricia Adegboyega967 Patience Adegboyega968 Dallas Bullard931 Alejandro Osorio- Ramirez905 Mathew Bedoya897 Evelyn Lopez895 Michael Kodua891 Sheila Franco882 Stephany Cruz880 Jennifer Ortega848 Madaline Moreira839 Jeffrey Rosario-Arriaga832 Anthonia Odunaike829 Olamide Babalola822 Eliezer Estevez821 Jamie Aguilar820 Kirsi Madera819 Oluwatoyin Animashaun816 Yuvi Cambero816 Moesha Rodrigues

812 Samantha Vaz800 Dasmia Feliz800 Passion Pereira790 Lony Martinez782 Belinda Sloan780 Genesis Pulgar778 Isaira Tavares773 Gisselle Orellana772 Stefany Alicea772 Pedro Gonzalez770 Gina Mendoza767 Dijanira Tavares764 Renny Vinas762 Keiry Colon760 Michael Jackson758 Edward DeBrito758 Wendy Tavares758 Nahlah Thomas757 Nataly Cruz757 David Garcia750 Igor DosSantos- Monteiro

uSpecial awards for 8th graders:We also commend these eleven8th-grade Crusaders from nine different middle schools. Each of these students has already earned more than 500 hours of participation!

607 Erandi Godinez596 Mouhamadou Diouf595 Jonathan Molina568 Marcos Larancuent544 Jessica Lopez536 Maritza Perez523 Estefani Mendez523 Maricarmen Sen520 Carlos Diaz518 Elizabeth Mauricio506 Danliz Feliz503 Nataly Gudiel

uCrusaders with more than 750 hours of participation:

Favorite subject: “When I was younger it was English, but now it’s history.” Why: She likes con-necting with historical figures.Her latest favorite person: John Quincy Adams. Junior project topic: Inequalities in education between suburban and urban students. Where she got her info: Her experience as a Crusader and as a member of the RI Urban Debate League, plus research into the Posse Foundation. Latest accomplish-ment: Was named a 2015 LEDA Scholar and will spend much of this summer on the campus of Princeton University participat-ing in academic and leadership seminars. Why she applied: “I am interested in leadership and the opportunity to be around stu-dents who have the same goals. It’s an honor to be invited to be part of the hard work.” About my Crusade Advisor: “She is a big reason I even applied to the LEDA program and helped me all along the way. She re-ally cares about our success.” College plans: Wants to study political science and then attend law school. Advice for Crusad-ers going into high school: “Take advantage of freshman year, do extra activities in sopho-more year, and be prepared for vigorous academic work. Don’t be left behind.” What she looks for in a friend: Loyalty, kind-ness, compassion. “Someone who is goal oriented and striving toward their own success.” Dream job: “To help change the world with all the knowledge I can acquire.”Latest favorite book: Long Walk to Freedom, by Nelson Mandela.

Junior Spotlight:Edith Baez ‘16

E-Cubed Academy

uLearn more about all these seniors at www.thecollegecrusade.org/spotlights

uWant to become a member of the 1000 Hour Club? Participate in our programs and aim for success!

More congrats: 1000 Hour Club for 2015Continued from page 1

Families, please keep us notifiedHave you changed your address or phone number, or has your Crusader changed schools? Call (401) 854-5500 or write to info@thecollegecrusade.org.

Thanks to our major

supporters!

Middle school Crusaders were happy to beon the campus of Clark University in April.

NON-PROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE

PAIDPROVIDENCE, RI

PERMIT #1985

134 Thurbers AvenueProvidence, RI 02905

Crusade Family NewsletterSpring-Summer 2015