Students From Orange and Trenton High Schools Graduate from New Jersey SEEDS

Newark, NJ—June 11, 2013—New Jersey SEEDS is pleased to announce that 30 seniors from Orange and Trenton Central High Schools graduated last evening from the organization’s College Preparatory Program (CPP). CPP was launched in 2007 to develop the academic potential of students in public high schools, with the goal of increasing the number of students who aspire to, enter and graduate from competitive colleges. This year’s graduating class is the first to include students from Trenton Central High School.

“Our CPP scholars are tremendously committed to advancing their education,” explains SEEDS’ President Ronni Denes. “It isn’t easy for high school students to give up two weeks each summer and every Saturday during the school year for three consecutive years. Our students realize what they are working toward and we support their journey through academic development, college exploration, the application process to competitive institutions and advocacy for robust financial aid packages.”

This year’s graduating class is the third from the College Preparatory Program. Over the past two years, nearly 60 students from Orange and Englewood (Academies at Englewood and Dwight Morrow High School) have completed the program and enrolled in colleges and universities across the country.

“The Class of 2013 is an extremely hard-working and motivated group of students,” says Barry Ford, Dean of the College Preparatory Program. “I’m extremely proud of all they have accomplished over the past three years with SEEDS, and am confident they will continue to strive for academic success in the future.”

During their time with SEEDS, students take academic classes focusing on mathematics, language arts, writing, science, and ACT preparation. Beginning in their junior year, scholars work closely with a corps of volunteer mentors and SEEDS staff to navigate the college application process, negotiate a financial aid package, and enroll in a higher education institution.

“I’d like to thank our students, their families, and their CPP mentors for their dedication over the past three years,” continues Denes. “Because of their persistence – and the unwavering support of the Orange and Trenton School Districts – our students are looking ahead to successful first semesters of college this fall. A very special thank you to Mr. Brian Maher, the evening’s keynote speaker, who supported the Orange High School graduating class throughout their SEEDS experience, and NRG for supporting this year’s graduating class from Trenton Central High School.”

The seniors who completed the college admissions process from the Class of 2013 received 124 acceptances from 53 colleges across 14 states. Of these acceptances, 56 percent are to most, highly and very competitive institutions, as ranked by Barron’s.

The New Jersey SEEDS College Preparatory Program (CPP) Class of 2013 College Decisions:

Orange High School
Louis Aduko – Manhattanville College
Samuel Akande – Denison University
Timothy Beckford – Albright College
Shaquille Brown – Rider University
Muldride Ceus – Rider University
Tamisha Ceus – Ramapo College
Sherley Dorcelian – Albright College
Uchenna Eze – University of Southern California
Aphnie Germain – Dickinson College *Valedictorian of OHS*
Micaelia Gibson – Rider University
Shahin Gumbes – Elizabethtown College
Tyla McAlmont – Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Kienesha McDonald – Essex County Community College
Najeer McEachin – U.S. Marines
Cassania Smith – Albright College

Trenton Central High School – Main Campus
Rosmery Almonte – Gettysburg College
Nordia Bennett – Denison University
Johnson Browne – Virginia Union University
Monayasia Davis – Albright College
Jose Granda – Mercer County Community College
Liz Lopez – Albright College
Karla Ramirez – Mercer County Community College
Henry Santizo – Mercer County Community College
Irene Suarez – Mercer County Community College
Eddy Torres – Lehigh University *Valedictorian of TCHS – Main; SEEDS Commencement Speaker*

Trenton Central High School – West Campus
Chartae Anderson – Denison University
Torrie Garvin – Lasell College
Sulamit Quezada – Albright College
Khadijah Thompson – Albright College
Tayanna Washington – Rowan University

The Class of 2013 Dinner and Graduation Celebration was held at The Newark Club on Monday, June 10. Students and their families were joined by New Jersey SEEDS Trustees, donors, staff, mentors and friends to celebrate their accomplishments.

For additional information, or to receive high-res photos or video from the event, please contact Theresa Murray at tmurray@njseeds.org or at 862.227.9145.

About New Jersey SEEDS

Since its inception more than 20 years ago, New Jersey SEEDS has provided educational access for highly motivated, low-income students and created a viable path for them to achieve their full potential. SEEDS strives for a world in which young people’s initiative, creativity and intellect can flourish without regard to socioeconomic status. To date, nearly 2,000 scholars have benefitted from its programs. For more information, visit www.njseeds.org.

New Jersey SEEDS is grateful to the following corporations, foundations and individuals for providing major support for the College Preparatory Program: Barclays; C.R. Bard, Inc.; Roy and Marie Cohen; Community Chest of Englewood; Paul and Elizabeth DeRosa; Elizabeth and Barets O. Benjamin Charitable Foundation; HAPI Foundation; Harbourton Foundation; Horizon Foundation; JPMorgan Chase Foundation; The Laurenti Family Charitable Trust; Brian and Sandra Maher; Mary Owen Borden Foundation; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Novo Nordisk, Inc.; NRG Energy, Inc.; Orange Orphan Society; Overdeck Family Foundation; and Prudential Foundation.