Business, Education and Schools, Free News Articles

First Generation Students Land Big Scholarships with Online College Planning Curriculum

MARIETTA, Ga. -- Two students will be enjoying a dream Christmas, the Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity announced today. On December 1, Grayson High School senior, Bre'an Moore, received a congratulatory email from Carleton College, ranked #7 on the 2020 US News and World Reports Liberal Arts College Rankings, offering her admission and a scholarship valued at over $280,000 over 4 years.

On December 16, St. Petersburg Collegiate High School International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme student, Sydney Soskin, logged into the University of Chicago's student portal to check the status of her Early Decision Application. Sydney screamed and burst into tears when she read the words, "Congratulations! It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been admitted to the University of Chicago's Class of 2024." Sydney's full scholarship financial aid award is valued at over $310,000 over 4 years.

Sydney's lifetime of challenges continued into the college planning process. "Oh My God! I can't believe it. Due to problems at my school, I missed the QuestBridge deadline and was devastated. However, Mr. and Mrs. Wynn pulled me together and kept me focused on developing a solid college list and game plan. They helped me with my essays, guided me in developing an academic résumé, reviewed my Common Application, and supported me in developing the strongest possible application for UChicago. They assured me that Early Decision was my best chance of being offered admission and that I would be pleased with the financial aid award that UChicago would offer. If I did not get in, we had a back-up plan for other schools and for the Northeastern University Torch Scholars Program. When I read the letter in my student account, I called my mom and I took a screen shot and sent it to Mrs. Wynn. I still cannot stop crying. This is unbelievable."

Wynn notes, "Through our online college planning curriculum, and partnerships with school districts and community-based organizations, we are able to provide comprehensive college planning guidance to hundreds of students like Bre'an and Sydney. Students from lower income backgrounds, first generation college students, and immigrant populations lack any meaningful understanding of planning their postsecondary pathways. Our goals are to guide students into finding the 'right' colleges and 'right' scholarships, avoid student loan debt, and achieve on-time degree attainment."

On Saturday, December 21, 2019, from Noon - 2 p.m., 12 of the foundation's former cohort students will return to appear on a Free College Panel Discussion at the Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia where they will share insight into their journeys, scholarships, and admission into top colleges across the country. Interested students should visit their website to learn more about their College Planning Cohorts and College Planning Boot Camps.

Information: http://accessandequity.org/

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-1220s2p-Sydney-mother-FAFSA-300dpi.jpg
*Caption: Sydney works alongside her mother at FAFSA Completion Session.

Contact Information:
Mychal Wynn or Nina Wynn
Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity
P.O. Box 70457
678-395-5825
mychalwynn@accessandequity.org

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Education and Schools, Free News Articles, General Editorial, NonProfit and Charities

Northern Guilford High School Student receives a full ride to Northeastern University as a Torch Scholar

MARIETTA, Ga. -- The Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity announced today that one of its College Planning Cohort students, Otis Burns, who attends Northern Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, has received news that he has been selected as a Northeastern University Torch Scholar. The Torch Scholarship covers tuition, room, board, books, and fees to Northeastern University, valued at $260,000 over 4 years.

Otis, a participant in the Guilford County Schools First Generation College Planning Cohort Program was nominated by the Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity CEO/Founder, Mychal Wynn. Mr. Wynn and his wife, Nina, developed their College Planning Cohort Program in 2014 through a partnership between the foundation and their church, Turner Chapel AME Church, where they also serve as the Education Ministry Leaders.

The Guilford County Schools First Generation College Planning Cohort Program, under the supervision of Mrs. Evelyn Hobbs, of the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, is now in its second year. The program has assisted over 100 students, most of whom are first generation, from throughout Guilford County Schools in developing comprehensive college-bound plans to expand college access and successfully navigate college admissions, scholarships, and financial aid. Participating students have been offered admission to such top colleges as Amherst, Bates, Williams, Swarthmore, George Mason, UNC - Chapel Hill, Davidson, Wake Forest, Duke, and Johns Hopkins.

Burns, who serves on the Greensboro Youth Council is a member of the National Honor Society, Second Chair of the Guilford County Honors Orchestra, President of the Christian Athletes Association, and Senior Class President was selected as one of 50 students, from over 500 nominees, to be invited to the Northeastern University Torch Scholars Interview Weekend. Mr. and Mrs. Wynn prepared Burns for the interview and reassured him to be himself. Burns and his dad navigated a new set of obstacles as their connecting flight from Washington, DC to Boston was cancelled. Forced to rent a car, they drove all night to arrive just in time for Burns to change clothes and participate in the Interview Day.

Burns notes, "I never imagined that something like this would be possible. I never imagined that I could be offered admission to a school like Northeastern. Prior to joining the Cohort, I had resolved to attend school in North Carolina and to take out student loans. To become a 'Torch Scholar' and have a full scholarship is surreal. I am so grateful to Guilford County Schools and the College Planning Cohort Program. Without the program, support of my parents, and guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Wynn, this would not have been possible." Burns plans to major in political science and global affairs, with aspirations of entering into public service.

Nearly 200 students in grades 9 - 12 are currently participating in the foundation's College Planning Cohort Program, operating in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas.

Mr. Wynn notes, "We are so proud of our 2017 cohort students, many of whom will be the first in their family to attend college. They have worked hard researching colleges, applying for scholarships, and writing essays. They are deserving of the many college and scholarship opportunities they are receiving. For many of our students, their parents have attended every meeting and worked side-by-side to open up these opportunities for their family."

The foundation will be offering College Planning Boot Camps this summer for rising 9th graders and for rising high school seniors.

Websites: http://www.accessandequity.org/ and http://collegeplanningcohort.com/

*PHOTO for Media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0327s2p-Burns-and-Wynn-300dpi.jpg

*Photo Caption: Pictured in the photo is Mr. Wynn (R), Otis' nominator, and Otis Burns (L), a senior at Northern Guilford High School, in Greensboro, North Carolina.

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Education and Schools, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities, Regional Events

Student Overcomes the Odds to Receive $1.8 Million In Scholarships, Including Full Scholarships to 6 Top Colleges

MARIETTA, Ga. -- The Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity today announced that on Sunday, May 28, 2017 the Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia will host its 10th Annual High School Graduation Celebration Worship Service. The blessings will be flowing for several students who have been offered full college scholarships. However, for Paulding County High School's Kimberly Hadaway, the blessings are overflowing with full scholarships to 6 of the country's top colleges: Princeton, Duke, Vanderbilt, Washington and Lee, Amherst, and Williams.

For the past ten years, the church's Education Ministry Leaders, Mychal and Nina Wynn, a college planning couple, who operate the Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity's nationally recognized 'College Planning Cohort(TM) Program' began inspiring elementary school students through the church's biannual academic celebrations to aspire toward big college-bound dreams.

As a third grader, Kimberly approached Mr. Wynn with a request, "Mr. Wynn, I want to go to college and my mother cannot afford to pay for me to go to college. Since you know all of this college planning stuff, tell me what I need to do."

Since that fateful request for help, the Wynns have been guiding Kimberly's college trajectory. First, through test prep for Georgia's CRCT testing as an elementary and middle school student. Then, by developing a 7-year middle-through-high school course schedule, heavy in advanced math, science, and Advanced Placement classes. Then, by encouraging Kimberly to make a commitment to leadership and community service. Finally, putting Kimberly on the radar of selective institutions with need-based, 'no loans,' financial aid policies by applying to their 'Diversity Weekend' programs.

Kimberly and her mother worked together as a team to follow the plan. The three-way partnership of Kimberly doing the work, her mother providing the support, and the Turner Chapel Education Ministry providing the guidance, achieved remarkable results. With grit and determination, Kimberly took each class that Mr. Wynn outlined, earned an 'A' in each class, earned a final grade of 100+ over 50 times, earned a passing score on 17 AP exams, and achieved an ACT Score in the 99th percentile nationally ('33')by Mr. Wynn's deadline--June of her junior year of high school.

Kimberly's full college scholarship offers could not come at a better time. After suffering through years of long-term unemployment, Kimberly's single-parent mother has lost their home to foreclosure. Kimberly and her mom will be vacating their home within days following Kimberly's graduation, as class salutatorian, at Paulding County High School. As her mom seeks temporary housing, Kimberly will be on her way, on a full scholarship and an all-expenses paid 'Summer Science Program' at the top ranked liberal arts college in the United States--Williams College where she will major in mathematics.

Kimberly is 1 of 183 high school seniors from throughout the State of Georgia to be selected as 2017 Georgia Scholars, will serve on the National Elks Scholar Advisory Board, and was offered admission to the prestigious Meyerhoff Scholars Program at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Kimberly was also offered admission and scholarships to Swarthmore, Xavier University of Louisiana, Spelman College, and Howard University.

Mr. Wynn reflects on Kimberly's remarkable achievement, "The advice that we offered Kimberly, as a third grader, is the same as we offer every student--a student's coursework, grades, and test scores represent the most direct pathway to being offered a full college scholarship. As a result of accepting our guidance, putting forth the effort to become a top student, and applying to the 'right' colleges, Kimberly is deserving of her $1.8 million in scholarship offers."

Kimberly's mother, Yvette Ifill, still overwhelmed by the enormity of it all, comments, "I am a native of Guyana who knew nothing about the U.S. public education system. Without the Wynns guidance, the Turner Chapel AME Church's College Planning Cohort, and our small group coach, Mrs. Kim Sackey, this would not have been possible. My daughter has always been a good student, but being a good student is not enough. The Wynns exposed Kimberly to Diversity Weekend opportunities, reviewed all of her college essays, assisted her in preparing for interviews, and interacted with college admissions and financial aid officers on our behalf. They have held our hand, step-by-step since Kimberly was in elementary school."

Rev. Don Ezell, Youth Pastor of the Turner Chapel AME Church, notes, "For the past 10 years, as Education Ministry Leaders, Mychal and Nina Wynn, have been guiding students in our church into top colleges and millions of dollars in scholarships. Many of our students have attended the best undergraduate programs on full scholarships, with many of whom now attending and graduating from the best graduate schools, law schools, and medical school programs. As a parent, I cannot think of anyone better qualified to assist students with their college planning, particularly students from lower-income families. This year, we also have students who have received full scholarship offers to Amherst College, Clark Atlanta, Tennessee State, Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis, Brenau, and Dillard University."

In addition to providing private college planning consulting, the Wynns College Planning Cohort(TM) Program has been implemented in the Guilford County Schools (NC), Florence County School District 3 (SC), and Judson ISD (TX); has been adopted by the faith-based, Crossroads for Teens program; and is currently under review by Clemson University as a National Dropout Prevention Model.

More information: http://www.accessandequity.org/.

CONTACT:
For more information:
Mychal Wynn or Nina Wynn
Foundation for Ensuring Access and Equity
P.O. Box 70457, Marietta, GA 30007
Ph: (678) 395-5825
E-mail: mychalwynn@accessandequity.org

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/17-0524s2p-hadaway-300dpi.jpg

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