PRESS ROOM

Newsletter, Fall 2005
ESP graduates its first class (Fall 2005)
John Thomas Joins ESP Board (Fall 2005)
Dinners bring ESP Families Together (Fall 2005)
Counselors integral to ESP success (Fall 2005)
Congratulations, Graduates! (Fall 2005)
Funding Update (Fall 2005)
ESP Parent Shares Their Family's Story (November 2, 2005)
Class 2 (Spring 2006)
"Good Stuff" by Karen Kullgren (Washington Parent, July 2007)
“The Golden Ticket!” (Class 3 Parent - September 2007)
ESP Parent Shares Her Story (Fall 2007)
Our Students Speak (Fall 2007)
Hard Work and a Bright Smile (Class 1 - Fall 2007)
It’s Not About the Drive, but the Journey (Fall 2007)
A Shining Star (Fall 2007)
In The Community: $5,000 Grant Recieved from The Giving Circle of HOPE

ESP graduates its first class August 2005

On August 12, 2005, Emerging Scholars Program celebrated its first closing ceremony and move-up day for Class 1 students. The ceremony, attended by proud parents, families, guests, and board members was held in the Episcopal High School auditorium.

This first group of ESP graduates is now enrolled in participating independent schools.
Closing ceremony included the presentation of individual awards to the following students: Mathematics - Sulaman Choudhry, Computer Science - Sierra Evans, Language Arts - Maham Sohrab, Leadership - Cristhian Canales, and Valedictorian - Maham Sohrab.

Three very special guests addressed the students. Lewis Forrest, Rhina Ascencio, and Veronica Covarrbias are affiliated with a program similar to ESP. Early Identification Program, based at George Mason University, identifies students from families who are first generation to the US and, as does ESP, empowers them to succeed. The speakers were inspirational to all as they shared their stories about how EIP changed their lives. ESP is appreciative of their comments and plans to develop areas in the future where these organizations can work together.

ESP would also like to acknowledge the faculty who gave so much of themselves over this past summer and winter. In the next newsletter, ESP will introduce you to this group of dedicated individuals. Without their tireless work with all of the students, ESP would not be the success that it is. ^Top of page^

John Thomas Joins ESP Board

At its September 16 meeting, ESP Board of Directors officially inducted Mr. John Thomas onto the board.

Mr. Thomas joins the Board as the new headmaster of Flint Hill School. Most recently from Texas, Mr. Thomas is glad to return to his ties on the east coast. Mr. Thomas has embraced ESP and is excited about what its member schools are doing to support students from diverse backgrounds.

Mr. Tom Whitworth, former headmaster of Flint Hill School, is the new head at Darlington School in Rome, GA. Mr. Whitworth, who remains on the ESP Board, says Darlington will be ready to accept an ESP graduate for ninth grade boarding. ^Top of page^

Dinners bring ESP Families Together

ESP's summer program began with its second annual Orientation Picnic on June 19 on the grounds of Episcopal High School, a founding school and host to ESP.

Families and friends from Classes 1 and 2 enjoyed a fun picnic atmosphere. This venue provided parents of new students the opportunity to interact with Class 1 parents who shared their understanding of ESP.

After a cookout feast, the new families received an orientation. Mr. Mort Dukehart, ESP Board President, and Mr. Ed Carr, Vice President and Treasurer, introduced themselves to our parents and shared their per-spectives on ESP. Three of our Class 1 fathers, Mr. Stanley (Elizabeth, Class 1), Mr. Jahaad (Marjani, Class 1) and Mr. Sohrab (Maham, Class 1), shared how much ESP has meant to their personal growth. In the words of Mr. Jahaad, "There is no turning back once you experience ESP."

The summer ended with a potluck dinner. Held the evening prior to closing ceremony, the gathering was a grand event. Each family brought a covered dish, with each participant's native country's cuisine represented. Special humorous awards were presented to our graduates to capture their unique personalities. Each Class 1 student presented their speech, "What ESP Has Meant To Me", to the group of parents, extended family and friends.

Please refer to the ESP web site next month if you would like to read some of these heartfelt essays. ^Top of page^

Counselors integral to ESP success

If there were no student counselors and volunteers, who would make the runs to the copy machines, decorate the bulletin boards, walk the kids to the pool, give the teachers breaks, clean up after a special project and offer a special ear or kind words to the kids? ESP would like to thank those who served as counselors for summer 2005.

Joel Stanley returned to Flint Hill School where he a sophomore thisyear. He was the "go-to guy" for technology during this summer's program.

Ambre Tomlinson, a junior at Hampton University, took her role as counselor very seriously and was both a tough taskmaster and warm, big sister to the scholars.

Jon-Marie French is a senior this year at Old Dominion College this fall where she majors in Communication and Psychology. Her calm voice assured our children that they were cared for and respected as future leaders.

ESP would also like to acknowledge the contributions of the following student volunteers: Michael Heyer Iqra Khalid Catherine Stanley Yusef Wehelie ^Top of page^

ESP Class 2 Parent Shares Her Story

Interview with Olga Rodriguez-Suarez, mother of Class 2 Student Pablo Rodriguez-Suarez:

This summer was Pablo's first year with ESP. Pablo came to ESP from Cameron Elementary School with a recommendation from both his school principal and his classroom teacher.

Pablo was born in Costa Rica to single mother Olga Rodriguez-Suarez. He was a quiet child in pre-school but the teaching staff at his school recognized that Pablo had untapped talent which his current school could not challenge. The principal of the pre-school he attended asked his mother to take Pablo to a friend who was a doctor to be tested. The doctor did extensive testing, free of charge, and confirmed that Pablo was extremely bright but needed stimulation. He suggested that the United States would offer the schools and programs needed to stimulate Pablo's great potential. Olga's father and family were in Canada. Olga considered going there with Pablo, but, instead, decided to move to the US. In the second grade in Fairfax County, Pablo earned high marks in a nationwide test and was then selected to attend a "Key School", Cameron Elementary. When Mr. LeCesne, ESP Executive Director, visited Cameron to recruit students for ESP, Pablo was mentioned as a good candidate. He applied and was ultimately selected to join Class 2.

Olga states, "In my heart I knew there would be something better for Pablo in the United States, so I abandoned my life and career in Costa Rica to look for a better education for my son." Olga, a human resources specialist in Costa Rica, "left everything to come here and start from scratch". In spite of their family in Canada, she and Pablo came to the US to live "the American dream'. Although she works, Olga is always willing to do whatever she can, carpooling, potluck dinners, etc., to help the ESP effort. Olga shared that her family has always put God first in their lives and with His help and Pablo's determination to learn, Pablo will be one of ESP's future success stories. ^Top of page^

Congratulations, Graduates!

ESP is proud to present its first class of graduates:

Marjani Addison
Karen Gutierrez
James Akinsanya
Ahmed Ibrahim
Cristhian Canalas
Reginald Padgett
Gilannie Diaz
Elizabeth Stanley
Mohammed Elchehabi
Summer Thomas
Sierra Evans
Brandon Wilkins
Sulaman Choudhry
Maham Sohrab

Students are now enrolled in the following participating independent schools:

St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Alexandria Country Day School
Burgundy Farm Country Day School
Browne Academy
The Congressional Schools of Virginia
Flint Hill School
Green Hedges School
St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School
Highland School
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Funding Update

To date, ESP has raised nearly $500,000 in cash and pledges to benefit the program. Contributions include foundations, corporate and individual gifts.

ESP would like to thank those who have held special events to benefit ESP and those who have contributed in-kind gifts such as software, supplies, space, testing for the students, and web site design. In addition, ESP placement schools are providing in excess of $230,000 in financial aid to ESP graduates.

ESP current revenue needs are $350,000 per year.

The current focus is to raise the funds to meet the 2005 and 2006 budgets. If you would like to support this effort, please call the ESP office or refer to the ESP web site for additional information. ^Top of page^

Class 2

Class 2 students are working hard and having fun during Saturday sessions which began in October and run into May.
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ESP Parent Shares Their Family's Story
What ESP has meant to an ESP student and her family.

Marc and Michelle Stanley
Leesburg, VA

 

Dear Alvarez:

Thank you and all those involved at Emerging Scholars Program for changing our lives, for providing hope for a better future for my children. A future that is better than we had as children, or have been able to provide for our children.

We know that there are many people giving of their own money and time, most of whom we will never meet or know, people who if they didn’t believe in this program our family would still be stuck in a cycle of destitution. Please forward my sincere love, thanks and gratitude for their life changing support.

Today, we received Elizabeth’s first report card, and with it an opportunity to reflect and to consider all that this program has meant to us. When we began the process of applying to the Emerging Scholars Program it was with some hesitance. Why would someone who doesn’t know us want to help us prepare our daughter to obtain and transition into a better education? Naturally we thought, and looked for the catch, or the hook?

In reality there was a hook, rather an obligation. On the surface it seemed like an easy obligation, as parents of Elizabeth we only needed to make it our priority that she attends every class, and completes the requirements for those classes. A simple obligation on paper, yet, without much support we could not have made it. That support, however, did not come from our family where we thought it would naturally come, but it came from you and your staff.

On the surface, the program addressed the major issues, and was organized in a way that made it easy anybody affiliated could be proud. However, it was the human touch; your insight, care and the attention you demonstrated into the issues and struggles of the families that made the true difference, and that made it remotely possible for us, and most of the cohort one families to succeed.

Somehow, you knew the struggles we would face and were always prepared with a kind word, suggestion, and many times a solution. Being involved in a program like this is hard. You, your staff, and all those involved each committed themselves and gave special thought to the “little details” that many programs take for granted.

Often programs and people who, in there current lives, are removed from daily struggle, or who have not experienced sustained hardships, will often blame and shame those who struggle with simple statements like… “If they want it, or if it’s important enough, they will just have to figure out a way.” Yet for people with integrity that have little or no money, life is not that easy, there are so many things that you need and struggle over daily.

In the beginning, every single family worried about expenses, in the back of our minds we were all thinking the same things: where is the extra gas going to come, what about food, how will I get my child there, how will I pick them up, will I get fired if we ask for a switch in my shift, or will I be replaced if we ask for a day off. The issues are endless list of issues. Money and time are the two things that people who struggle economically don’t have, and unfortunately, both were a major issue for us and many other families. Most of us couldn’t have afforded the batteries for a calculator, let alone finding the money to buy a calculator.

Thank you for personally caring and understand about the circumstances surrounding each and every child, and their families in this program. For me, and specifically, a situation as early in this summer found us both my wife and I unemployed, we had no money for gas, had no way of getting Elizabeth to school. We thought it was over.

At that moment of difficulty for us you found a solution, you brought the Chaudry Family (Cohort 1) and ours together to carpool. We had the time to drive the children to and from the program (which they didn’t have), and they had the gas money (which we didn’t have). As a man and a household leader who is supposed to be able to do it (all of it) on my own, it was very hard to talk about what that’s place at home, and impossible to talk about our needs, you understood, you talked to me. Only someone who talks to the families, only someone who presses in and cares and has gained trust would have known both of our family’s circumstances.

You also understood that it was hard for us, and for them, to ask for help (because individually, we felt it was our responsibility). If we had kept quite, and had you not stayed close, then both of our families probably would have dropped from the program. Thankfully, you always stayed close, involved, and engaged, and as a result you found an innovative way to make things happen, for us to receive help, more importantly how to help each other, and receive and to keep our dignity intact.

In fact, I can say that all of the “faces”, seen and unseen, of ESP who gave of their time; one day, or eighteen months, or their money; a dollar or more, each have one thing in common, they have loved children, children who were not their own, and have touched, given and added to each of them, something special of themselves, and a future that is filled with hope and promise.

When fully in the program we did face challenges. The issues were many, and concerned everything, ranging from the issues of diversity of faith and culture, to parenting choices.

As parents, conceptually we understand the wealth of value inherent in creating a diverse environment. Diversity is the foundation that allows and fosters incredible learning opportunities, however, improperly guided it can also be an explosive powder keg of problems. The way your team managed cohort 1 was the first time that I ever saw, people of different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds interact with “true” compassion for each other.

Let me also be candied and state that the first eight weeks in a diverse environment was rough. However, the morning meeting was the first catalyst which set the foundation to mutual understanding and acceptance. The children had an opportunity to share their individual thoughts about issues, many of the items shared were cross-cultural and unique to those individuals, yet, and all of the students found and understood the shared emotions of: joy, sorrow, happiness, and excitement. First hand experiences were shared buy the individual child, and caught by those listening. The children were encouraged to openly state their “connections” and other feelings, not only did it demonstrate the differences but also how they are the same.

Prior to Elizabeth beginning ESP we viewed her as a confident, self-motivated and capable student. This was true in comparison to her peer group before entering the program. However, at ESP, many weaknesses were identified, which was hard for us as parents to accept, we wanted to defend her, her choices, blame others, etc. Our underlying fear was that “a storm was coming,” and that we were in a competition for “the bread and milk” a private school, and that any weakness might limit her chances of getting into a school. However, true to the mission of ESP, you corrected our misconception, and you helped identified problems and errors that without doing so would never have been corrected. As parents, we learned a very valuable life lesson from this experience, if fact, we have made dramatically different choices in many areas of our own life since ESP.

Most importantly, ESP has taught Elizabeth (and us) to take truthful ownership of herself as a person, not just academically. This means she must hold herself accountable for her choices, to be honest with herself and others, which also means not to seek excuses or blame others for her choices. Changes like this only happen when everyone involved is invested.

To receive such love from people unknown adds to our faith. One would expect to receive support like that from our own family. However, some of us faced resentment from our own families, which gave no support and at times were the source of negative and hurtful comments. For us, comments from our extended family members heated up. The comments included and focused on little things like; Elizabeth’s word choice, her spending much of her time enjoying reading, liking homework, and wanting to go to school on Saturday. She was viewed as “strange and uppity” kid who wants to go to a “private school.” The number of tears we have had to wipe away should have been less, yet she is stronger for it.

None of her extended family members wanted to know about the program, or would come to her graduation; it broke her heart to see some students with hordes of family members standing in support. Yet again, the thought given to the small details made her feel special; she was given a flower by the new headmaster of Flint Hill, and every time she is within a mile of Mr. Thomas she has to say hello. At the graduation lunch, each of the staff members gave hugs, spoke and had “unique and special” things to say to each child.

After graduation she entered a new phase of life at Flint Hill School. At the same time while excited we were also scared. We can happily state that more than just a feeling or opinion of ours, Elizabeth’s development over the last eighteen months as ESP student has more than prepared her for the academic (and social) transition into Flint Hill.

In her first report card she has one B, and the rest of her grades are A’s. More importantly, the greatest joy we have, is in the self-confidence she now demonstrates, her belief that she is, and feels like a member of the Flint Hill community and is “at home” in that community.

No matter how smart you are, not having the same financial resources can make you feel like an “outsider.” There is no way to change the economics, she wont have the material things, she wont be able to share the stories that other children share, yet, she doesn’t feel like less of a person. While I am an adult, I can’t say that I have the same confidence and personal security. I think her belief in self has, has come directly from your program, this is what I am most grateful to you for developing.

Thank you and forever thankful,
Marc and Michelle Stanley
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"The Golden Ticket!" ESP Class 3 Student

Madison is an academic success!

Madison’s confidence derives from both her own sense of uniqueness and from her family’s unconditional support of her endeavor to succeed.

And her resolve in life.

ESP helped Madison to tap into this resolve and develop it into something that she will use to advantage her entire life. This is more of a golden ticket than she could have known.

Madison’s mother shared, “It has meant the world to Madison to be deliberately placed in an academic environment where she is one of many from diverse backgrounds who are expected to work hard and do well.”

Madison grew up in Alexandria, VA with her parents and two younger siblings. She attends St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School in Washington, DC.

Having learned through ESP to set her own bar high, Madison is also learning that it is important to expect the same from others. By raising her own goals, she can help others do the same, regardless of their backgrounds.
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Our Students Speak

“My favorite part of ESP is seeing my fellow scholars, my friends, regularly and learning about how to become a better student and leader.”
Andrea, Class 2, Flint Hill School

“ESP taught me that you have to be honest and dependable to decide on your true goal and you have to be responsible enough to complete that goal.”
Anthony, Class 2, Burgundy Farm School

“ESP is a phenomenal program because it gives bright children an opportunity to better themselves as well as their futures.”
Sarah, Class 3, Flint Hill School

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Hard Work and a Bright Smile

Karen G. is in her third year at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School.

Her success at St. Patrick’s she attributes to the intensive academic training, cultural experiences and leadership skills she learned during her fourteen months in ESP.

And to her close-knit family who lives in Washington, DC.

Karen is the middle child of first generation immigrant parents from El Salvador, Hermodis and Marlis, who work as a waiter and kitchen manager, respectively.

With their long and unpredictable hours, they feel fortunate that Karen’s grandmother is with them.

According to Karen, ESP “showed me what I did not know I had inside of me…how I felt about things, how to get along with others, to open up and be more aware of their feelings.”

Her teacher says, “Karen’s smile and enthusiasm can light up a room and her passion for school and learning is infectious!”

Karen is considering a future as a pediatrician, but first says she would like to be an ESP mentor to help others like ESP did for her.
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It’s Not About the Drive, but the Journey

Esme lives in the inner city.

She has a mother, a single parent, who understands the importance of ESP.

Not only in her child’s life, but also in her own.

Esme’s mother’s car was stolen. It was replaced, only to be stolen again. This car was how Esme arrived at ESP each day.

Instead of dropping out of the program in frustration, her mother put Esme on a bus to the Metro where she took the Orange Line to Virginia. Esme’s ESP technology teacher met Esme at the Vienna, VA metro station every day to take her to the program.

Esme’s mother doesn’t consider this daily routine to be a sacrifice. By contrast, she views the ESP experience as an opportunity which represents hope and a new future for Esme.

Esme is currently attending Saturday classes as a member of Class 4.
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A Shining Star

Anthony is an ESP star!

Anthony is talented not only in the classroom but on the piano and loves performing at school where he is in the seventh grade.

Green Hedges headmaster Fred Williams notes, “Anthony played the piano for us this morning at GHS. He is a phenomenal kid!”

Anthony’s confidence comes from the leadership skills he learned during ESP.

And from his family who are positive role models for him.

Anthony’s parents are first generation immigrants from Lebanon who have taught themselves that through hard work and determination it is possible to live the American Dream.
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Good Stuff
by Karen Kullgren

A Learning Bridge for Needy Kids: The Emerging Scholars Program (ESP), founded in 2002 by a group of area independent schools, is a not-for-profit educational and leadership program for boys and girls from low socioeconomic families in the DC metropolitan area. Students attend a 14-month enrichment program on Saturdays while attending their "regular" schools and for two summers before and after their fifth grade school year (this summer the program will be held at Flint Hill School in Oakton, Va.). Upon completion of ESP, accepted children are placed in participating area independent schools in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia; they have successfully placed students in a dozen schools thus far. The children receive financial aid as needed from the schools they attend. ESP recently received a $50,000 grant from the Claude Moore Foundation, based in Fairfax. For more information, visit www.emergingscholarsprogram.org.

(excerpt from “Good Stuff”, by Karen Kullgren, in the July 2007 issue of Washington Parent)
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In The Community: $5,000 Grant Recieved from The Giving Circle of HOPE

Program News: Northern Virginia based Emerging Scholars Program, "ESP", is pleased to announce that it has received a grant for $5,000 from the Giving Circle of HOPE. Funds will directly support a volunteer tutoring program for ESP students. ESP also received a $20,000 grant from the John Edward Fowler Foundation. Ed Carr, a member of ESP's Board of Directors, states, "This is a truly exciting gift for ESP and we will use the funds according to the mission of the Fowler Foundation as we work to provide a program which can transform the lives of area boys and girls."

(excerpt from National Partnership for Educational Access' (NPEA) February 2008 Newsletter)
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