Steppingstone Magazine - Fall 2017

THE POWER OF ONE

SCHOLAR SNAPSHOT

FALL BULLETIN

STAFF SHARE THEIR FAVORITE

DIVE INTO OUR PHOTO GALLERY

COLLEGE ENROLLMENT,

STORIES THAT SHOWCASE

AND EXPERIENCE THE WORLD OF

NEW INITIATIVES, SPECIAL

STEPPINGSTONE’S 2017 THEME

STEPPINGSTONE

GUESTS, AND MORE

The Steppingstone Magazine - Fall 2017

Artwork by Aimy, a Steppingstone Scholar

STEPPINGSTONE’S FALL 2017

MAGAZINE Did you know...

JOURNEY

Each Steppingstone Scholar

In Boston,

commits in 4th or 5th grade

80%

to the hard work necessary to earn their college degree.

In return, we commit to advising and supporting them

many students never have the opportunity to earn a college degree.

every step of the way.

of Scholars graduate from a four-year college within six years.

Well above national and local rates.

REACH

Over the past year, Steppingstone has supported 1,600 Scholars and their families

Steppingstone Scholars are hardworking,

COMMUNITY

At Steppingstone,

86%

motivated students

from low-income Boston neighborhoods who want to make their mark on the world.

are first-generation college students

They range from

age 10 to age 24

Steppingstone Scholars were born in 20 different countries

Want to learn more? We’d love to hear from you. Contact Steppingstone at: 617-423-6300 | www.tsf.org | One Appleton Street, Boston, MA 02116

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100 SCHOLARS START THEIR FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE! Scholars have dedicated their summers and weekends to school. They’ve balanced homework with volunteer positions, part-time jobs, and family responsibilities. They’ve spent their free time attending college workshops, drafting essays, and discussing financial aid. And now, after years preparing for this moment, college is no longer an abstract goal. As each Scholar settles in to their new school - choosing courses, buying books, meeting their classmates, and preparing for the challenges ahead - the Steppingstone community will be there to support them.

SOME OF THE COLLEGES WELCOMING SCHOLARS THIS YEAR:

Albright College • Babson College • Bentley University Boston College • Boston University • Brown University Bunker Hill Community College • College of the Holy Cross Connecticut College • Denison University • Dickinson College Emmanuel College • Fisher College • Framingham State University • Howard University • Lesley University • Lynchburg College • MassArt • Merrimack College • Nichols College North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University Northeastern University • Penn State University • Providence College • Quincy College • Saint John’s University • Salem State University • Simmons College • Syracuse University Trinity College • Tufts University • Union College • University of Limerick • University of Albany • University of Connecticut University of Hartford • UMass Boston, Amherst, Dartmouth, and Lowell • University of Oregon • University of Pennsylvania Wentworth Institute of Technology • Wesleyan University Wheaton College • Williams College

This fall, Scholars are: • focusing on their Steppingstone classes in addition to their regular schoolwork; • attending Saturday Mentoring and Study Hall (SMASH), getting a head start on homework and working with tutors and mentors who can help with tricky assignments; • meeting regularly with their Steppingstone Advisors;

DONALD MCKAY SCHOOL In 2015, the McKay became the College Success Academy’s first partner school in East Boston. After school, Scholars spend Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in CSA classes.

• spending their free time at Steppingstone events like college application workshops, campus tours, class reunions, community service outings, financial aid meetings, potlucks, and more!

STEPPINGSTONE OFFICE Scholars and their families drop by Steppingstone’s South End office for college workshops, advising discussions, financial aid meetings, and social events. Appleton Street is also home base for 40 staff members.

THOMAS A. EDISON SCHOOL During the school year, College Success Academy Scholars from three AllstonBrighton schools (the Edison School, the Jackson/Mann School, and the Gardner Pilot Academy) meet here twice a week for after-school classes and study hall.

Many CSA Scholars have made new friends from their neighborhoods after joining the Steppingstone community!

BOSTON LATIN ACADEMY Young Scholars head here for Steppingstone Academy classes on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while older students participate in Saturday Mentoring and Study Hall (SMASH), workshops, conferences, and events.

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2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR

QUESTION: WHAT ARE SCHOLARS UP TO THIS FALL? ANSWER: A WHOLE LOT!

Photo by Katie, a Steppingstone Scholar

SNAPSHOT >

BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY Scholars, faculty, and staff capture fantastic memories throughout the year – revealing the touching, spontaneous, and wacky moments that bring Steppingstone to life. Here’s a peek at the fun that happens when Scholars step away from their books, take off their backpacks, and gather together as a community.

SNAPSHOT > PHOTO GALLERY

LEARNING ALL YEAR LONG When people hear that Steppingstone Scholars choose to spend their summers and free time in school, they’re often surprised. And though it’s true that coming to Steppingstone means rigorous classes and homework, the excitement, camaraderie, and fun make the time fly by.

Steppingstone was pleased to collaborate over the summer with the Boston Public Schools and Boston After School & Beyond as a grantee of the Summer Learning Academies program.

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STAFF STORIES >

WHEN HAVE YOU SEEN “THE POWER OF ONE” - TSF’S 2017 SUMMER THEME - IN ACTION AT STEPPINGSTONE? THE POWER OF ONE ACT OF KINDNESS

THE POWER OF ONE COMMUNITY

ELENA JAY - ADMISSION ASSISTANT FOR THE STEPPINGSTONE ACADEMY

NIGEL ROBINSON - SUPPORT SERVICES ADVISOR

Last year was my first summer at Steppingstone, and I was so impressed to see that despite coming to Milton hardly knowing anyone, and coming from all different schools and neighborhoods in Boston, all of the Scholars were so kind to one another. Although I am sure it was very nerve wracking and difficult to make friends at the start, I saw Scholars making the effort to introduce themselves to each other, lend a pencil in class, comfort someone on the soccer field when they got hurt, and sit with someone new at lunch. I believe true kindness requires bravery, and I have seen this demonstrated time and time again at Steppingstone.

THE POWER OF ONE PURPOSE KRISTIN ARCANGELI - SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING

The first summer that the College Success Academy (CSA) and The Steppingstone Academy (TSA) were together as one community was really powerful for me. In our first community time all together, we reflected on all of the things that we have in common and the power of our shared goals and experience. It made me proud to work at Steppingstone and with both CSA and TSA.

It was Heritage Day and you could feel the energy in the air. Scholars were sharing their stories with one another, learning about all the different countries that are found in our Steppingstone community. I cannot remember the last time I felt “The Power of One” in such full effect!

THE POWER OF ONE COMMITMENT CHRISTOPHER PARRIS - SENIOR DIRECTOR OF THE COLLEGE SUCCESS ACADEMY

Earlier this spring, CSA Scholars had the opportunity to participate in the One Bead Program, which focuses on developing one idea that can improve the community where they live. Scholars generated a ton of ideas to attack huge challenges, one of which was achieving gender equality.

The issue of gender inequality impacts us all, and Scholars were committed to raise the consciousness of the issue here in Boston. They designed a logo and printed shirts with a list of organizations working to promote gender equality. Scholars received their shirts this summer and became part of a movement that fights for equality.

“Steppingstone has its name for a reason— you have friends, teachers, advisors, and your family that help you make a path. It’s not called the ‘elevator academy’ where you just push a button and go straight to the top!”

PRUDENCE

6th grade Scholar speaking to her classmates at their 2017 Commencement ceremony

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“Encouragement from families is the hearth, the main fire, of the Steppingstone commitment.

Families, you all have given up so much for us. The only thing we can say is thank you for everything. There is no one that can replace you.�

CHRISTIAN 7th grade Scholar addressing Steppingstone families at the end of his second summer with Steppingstone

CHATTING WITH ESTEBAN GUTIERREZ ’12 Esteban Gutierrez ’12 is a junior at Milton Academy. When he isn’t busy preparing for college, you can find him performing in musicals, writing speeches, competing on the debate team, and mentoring younger students.

We asked Esteban to share some insights about his time with Steppingstone and the program’s role in Boston. Here are his thoughts.

WHAT HAS BEING A SCHOLAR MEANT TO YOU?

Perseverance, in school and in life, is one of the most important attributes you can have. That was the biggest piece of advice I shared with Scholars.

Being a Scholar has helped cultivate something more in me, a big perseverance to push forward. Without Steppingstone I’d have been trapped in “Steppingstone is one of limbo. I wasn’t being challenged enough the most life-changing as a young student and I never would opportunities any student have gotten the same opportunities in Boston can have.” if I’d stayed on that trajectory. Now - ESTEBAN GUTIERREZ that I’m in high school, I talk to my Steppingstone Advisor all the time. The program continues to give me a ton of WHY IS STEPPINGSTONE resources, and I’m learning things that IMPORTANT TO BOSTON? are really important to my future.

Steppingstone gives students the chance AS A TEACHING ASSISTANT to do things they’ve never done before.

LAST SUMMER, WHAT Many of the Scholars I worked with INSIGHTS DID YOU SHARE this summer hadn’t had the opportunity WITH SCHOLARS? to study much science, and I loved seeing their smiles when they learned A lot of Scholars are nervous about something new. A love for learning is changing schools and walking into a one of the most powerful things you class that’s primarily white and elite. As can give to a student, and Steppingstone a TA, I wanted to support them through really does that. Steppingstone helps that transition and help them adjust to students enter worlds that seemed the cultures at their new schools. unimaginable.

Scholars are working so hard, and the extra classes and responsibilities can be exhausting. As an older Scholar, I can show them that their work will pay off and help them go to college.

I decided to give back to Steppingstone because the program gave me one of the biggest gifts I could have in my life.

PHOTO AT TOP: Esteban speaks with Scholars about the power of learning from your mistakes. He shares the stage with the four pillars of Steppingstone’s community: Trust, Respect, Support, and Safety.

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YOUR FALL BULLETIN FROM STEPPINGSTONE

BOSTON CITY COUNCILOR MEETS WITH SCHOLARS

“Everyone has a story,” said Andrea Campbell, City Councilor for District 4, speaking with Scholars during the first week of Steppingstone’s 2017 summer program. “I took my story, I took what happened to my brother, and I used it as fuel, as power to make a dream happen.”

After losing her twin brother, who died in the custody of the Department of Corrections, Campbell ran for City Council and dedicated her career to ensuring every young person in Boston has access to the same resources she had growing up.

TOP & BOTTOM: Councilor Campbell meets with Teaching Assistants and Interns, many of whom are Steppingstone Scholars.

MIDDLE: Scholars ask Councilor Campbell questions during her Community Time speech.

experienced tragedy in their lives, dozens of students lifted their hands into the air. She looked at these Scholars and said: “I challenge you to take your stories and anything that’s happened to you that’s been tragic and use it as fuel, as power, to do the very things you want to do in life.” Her message would stick in many Scholars’ minds.

“It was very inspirational to hear about someone who had tragic things in her life,” said one fifth-grade Scholar. “She can relate to people like me, because I have some tragic stuff, and she still became successful. I’m just really happy about that!” And while success at school and in life is important to Steppingstone Scholars, Campbell wanted to make sure they knew it wasn’t only their achievements that defined their worth.

“Great schools, good mentors, effective teachers...opportunities that far too few of my “Each and every one peers, including my of you is here for a twin, are afforded.” unique purpose.”

These goals made her the perfect guest speaker for Steppingstone’s morning assembly (known as Community Time), where she reached 300 Boston students.

Though most Scholars in the room were only 10 or 11 years old, when Councilor Campbell asked who had

“You’re here because you have special gifts, special talents, that no one in this room has,” she said. “It’s your task and responsibility to take that story, use it as power, and find out what your gifts and skills are supposed to be used for.”

THE BRIAN J. CONWAY FUND FOR SCHOLARS In honor of Board Chair Brian Conway’s 20 years of leadership, commitment, and generosity, Steppingstone has established the Brian J. Conway Fund for Scholars, which will support services at the heart of our work while also ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability. We will announce the fund and celebrate Brian at The Steppingstone Gala on November 9.

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to this crucial initiative. You are building a strong foundation for Steppingstone’s future, and we couldn’t be more grateful for your tremendous support.

If you’d like to contribute to the Brian J. Conway Fund for Scholars, please contact Kate Wood at kwood@tsf.org.

TUFTS PRESIDENT VISITS STEPPINGSTONE One of our favorite moments this summer was watching Scholars speak with Dr. Anthony Monaco, President of Tufts University.

Scholars took full advantage of this insider’s look, peppering President Monaco with questions about career fields, scholarships, and all aspects of college life. With Scholars at the table ranging from 11 to 17 years old, this was a powerful opportunity for students of different ages and backgrounds to connect over common goals and enjoy a unique window into the college world.

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“At Steppingstone, I broke out of my shell and made connections with people I will never forget.

My friends, teachers, and advisors make me feel comfortable and part of the community. If I ever feel like my whole world is flipped upside down, I can always talk to them.�

KAYLAH

9th grade Scholar speaking to her classmates after four years together at Steppingstone

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THE STEPPINGSTONE FOUNDATION ONE APPLETON STREET BOSTON, MA 02116 Return Service Requested

SCHOLAR ARTWORK < We love Izzy’s cosmic interpretation of the journey to college, with Steppingstone as a space shuttle helping Scholars reach their goals.

COVER PHOTO: Scholars celebrate after completing 14 months of academic prep with Steppingstone. Now heading into middle school, they’ll continue working with Steppingstone until they graduate from college.

Let’s hear it for the class of 2028!

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY: Sebastian Gomez (cover) and Jourdan Christopher Additional images by photographers Phil Emmanuel, Sam Moody, Steve Osemwenkhae, Thad Russell, and Josephine Sittenfeld, as well as Steppingstone Scholars & staff.