lPursuit of ExcellenceChicago International seniors achieve college dreams with help from Posse Foundationby R.J. McMahon

Where Chicago International Posse Scholars Enrolled

Carleton College (Minnesota):Lisa Ayala Ashley Dinzey

Denison University (Ohio):Jasmine McGhee

DePauw University (Indiana):Michael Pace

Oberlin College (Ohio):Terrance Richardson

University of Illinois – Urbana-ChampaignYudine LeJeune

University of Wisconsin – MadisonBeatriz Cañas Conei Coleman Yesenia Saavedra

Noteworthy

Last spring, across the Chicago International high school campuses, seniors were making their final choices about which colleges and universities they would attend come the fall. We all know that this process can be difficult for an 18-year-old (and his or her parents), so students generally put off their decisions ‘til the bitter end—right before the deposit deadline. But nine Chicago International seniors—five from Chicago International Northtown Academy and four from Chicago International Longwood—knew which top-tier universities they would attend for months. They had been preparing for this college deci-sion since the beginning of their senior year, when they were nominated for the prestigious Posse Foundation Scholarship.

The Posse Foundation, founded in 1989, identifies public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be overlooked by traditional college selection processes. The foundation extends to these students the opportunity to pursue personal and academic excellence by placing them in supportive, multicultural teams (“Posses”) of 10 students. The Foundation’s partner universities award Posse Scholars four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarships.

Yesenia, who attends University of Wisconsin – Madison, is majoring in communication and science. Going through the selection process flipped on the light bulb in her head. “It’s when you realize that hard work pays off.”

In Chicago, the Posse Foundation awarded 70 scholarships from approximately 1,300 students nominated for the scholarship. More than 15,000 seniors attend approximately 100 public high schools in Chicago (selective enrollment, charter and neighborhood

schools), and 204—or about 1.4 percent— of those students graduated from Chicago International. But Chicago International students earned 13 percent of the scholar-ships awarded (9 of 70). (See sidebar for list of students and which universities they attend). Chastity Lord, the Posse Chicago director put this accomplishment in perspective: “This reminds our community that great things are happening in Chicago Public Schools, and specifically at Chicago International Charter School.”

To earn the scholarship, each student passed a rigorous, three-stage selection process comprised of interviews and group activities. In the final round, admission officials from each university partner conducted group and one-on-one interviews.

Jasmine, a Posse Scholar who attends Denison University in Ohio and will pursue business studies, said the usual selection process challenged her. “Being put on the spot taught me many things. I learned to value other people’s opinions,” she said. “Sometimes you can’t lead; you also have to follow.”

Beatriz, who will study communications at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, said the intense Posse interviews and focus on self-expression made her aware of her abilities. “This makes me feel more secure and confident,” she said.

Lord added, “These young people will be competing at the highest level. They will persist, graduate and return to their communities to make a difference.”

Northtown Posse Scholars: Jasmine McGhee, Yesenia Saavedra, Ashley Dinzey, Beatriz Cañas and Lisa Ayala

Photo by Mario Ortiz12 | FocalPoint