WESTMINSTER
| SPRING 2009
| BULLETIN
students and staff, I grew tremendously as a teacher, a citizen and an individual,” he said. “The disparate challenges and joys that I encountered have changed my way of thinking and being in many ways.”
Adapting to Boarding School Life To better acquaint Steppingstone Scholars with what life might be like at a boarding school, Westminster has invited the entire class of scholars and their parents to campus the past two years. “Our primary purpose is to personalize the experience in the hope that Westminster will stand out for them,” said Westminster’s Director of Multicultural Affairs and Associate Director of Admissions Melinda Wright. Melinda also stays in regular contact with the academy. Last year, she attended Atesha and Carissa’s matriculation ceremony, and she visited the academy’s summer session. She also participates in regular meetings between independent school representatives and staff of HYSF to talk about the ongoing progress of the scholars. Even though the scholars are at independent schools, they Alex Martin ’10 leads Steppingstone Scholars and their parents on a and their families continue to receive regular guidance and Westminster tour. support from the HYSF. Westminster Admissions Director Jon Deveaux has tremendous praise for the work HYSF does in preparing the mayor’s assistant, visited 17 independent schools and secured students for independent school life. “Since its inception, the Hartford memorandums of understanding for millions of dollars in full and partial Youth Scholars Foundation has taken a thoughtful, thorough approach to scholarships. preparing its students for the huge leap from the public middle schools in With this commitment in hand, the HYSF then connected with the Hartford to independent schools like Westminster. Thanks to the program, Steppingstone Foundation in Boston to create the Steppingstone Atesha and Carissa arrived on the Hill with a stronger academic skill Academy Hartford in the summer of 2007. Steppingstone, which also has base, but also with an understanding of the magnitude of the challenges academies in Boston and Philadelphia, develops and implements they would face. They have adapted remarkably well to life at programs that prepare urban schoolchildren for educational opportunities Westminster, demonstrating grit and grace in the classroom and beyond, that lead to college. and becoming integral members of the community.” “Steppingstone has an unbelievably successful track record of college matriculation and graduation,” said Tom. “They were absolutely key to us getting to where we are in such a short period of time. We had a very successful first class of Steppingstone Scholars, who as far as we know, are adapting well and working hard.” For the academy’s first class, there were 400 inquiries, 150 applications and 27 scholars selected. Twenty of those scholars are now attending 14 different independent schools in Connecticut. “The input from independent schools has been incredibly positive,” added Tom. “It is based largely around the idea that all of the schools identified diversity as a very important objective of the nature of their student body.” Moy Ogilvie, who serves on the executive committee of the HYSF, is also delighted with early accomplishments of the academy. “If the first year is any indication of what this program can do, it is great for the private school community, and it is great for Hartford,” she said. “It helps Connecticut private schools identify kids in their own backyard who have the potential to succeed and thrive academically but who may not have the resources. The kids are so hardworking and deserving. They understand, even at age 13, that they are getting a potentially unique opportunity in terms of their education, and it will be life changing.” Welbith Mota ’06, a junior at Connecticut College, served as an Steppingstone Scholars and their parents meet with Associate Director of Admissions Mara Henze to learn intern at the academy last summer and says it was the most satisfying more about Westminster. job he has ever had. “Throughout my two months working with the
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