Greenhouse Scholars Invites 28 College-Bound Students Into Program

BOULDER, Colo., June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Isaac Gwa, a graduate of Colorado's Aurora Central High School, naturally aspires to leadership positions such as Vice President of the National Honor Society and President of the Outdoor Club. Since fleeing Burma and coming to the U.S. in 2009, Isaac quickly mastered English and is graduating in the top one percent of his class of more than 500 students. A first-generation college student, Isaac will attend the University of Colorado at Boulder. Issac is a member of the new class of Greenhouse Scholars, announced today by the organization that is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of community leaders. 

• Click to tweet: Introducing Greenhouse Scholars Class of 2018; Students Changing the World http://prn.to/1tE7Xa1 #GreenhouseScholars

"Since 2005 we've served nearly 150 students," said Pete Burridge, president and chief executive officer, Greenhouse Scholars. "Each new class of Scholars is carefully selected for their incredible academic achievements, commitment to bettering their communities, and demonstrated leadership skills - despite being from under-resourced communities. By providing a variety of personal and financial support Greenhouse Scholars cultivates and inspires students as they change the trajectories of their families, their communities, and broader global communities. It is exciting working together with these inspiring young people to create change that will last through the generations."

Isaac and his 27 peers - 15 students from Colorado and 13 students from Illinois - were selected after a rigorous process. This year's selection process was particularly competitive as just eight percent of the more than 300 applicants were invited to join the program. Examples of achievements by this class include: 

• These 28 students each held an average of five leadership positions in their high school and communities, in addition to holding an average of two jobs or internships.
• 82 percent of these students will be the first generation in their families to earn a bachelor's degree.
• Nearly 90 percent have mentored a younger student.

Abril Vela is a graduating senior from Northside College Prep in Chicago. An advocate for young women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, she is the founder of Chicago Girls in Computing, an organization aimed at supporting high school girls interested in pursuing technology, and taught an introductory programming course to sixth and eight grade students last summer. Abril has twice been an Aspiration in Computing Awardee with the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT). In 2013, she was named both an Illinois Technology Foundation Fifty for the Future Awardee and a Microsoft Youthspark Star. A first-generation college student, Abril will attend the University of Michigan in the fall.

"Becoming a Greenhouse Scholar will allow me the opportunity to connect with like-minded students who share my passion for community involvement, said college-bound Abril. "The mentorship and peer support will provide me with encouragement as I continue to pursue my quest to bring technology to under-represented groups. I plan on using these resources to the fullest and would like to get other Scholars involved in my future projects. I believe that if Scholars combine their resources they can create an even more effective pipeline to help their communities."

• Lean more about each of the 28 members of the Class of 2018 at greenhousescholars.org/greenhouse_scholars.html

"Whole Person" Approach Comprising of Seven Components for New Generation of Leaders

Through the Greenhouse Scholars "Whole Person" approach, the organization offers intellectual, academic, professional, and financial support, to cultivate the next generation of community leaders. Proven over nine years, the program is made-up of seven components: Mentorship; Professional Networking; Peer Support; Internship; Summer Symposium; Flex Funding; and Tuition Scholarship.  As a result of the program's comprehensive support, the Scholars graduate from college prepared to succeed in their professional endeavors and make significant contributions to their communities.

Greenhouse Scholars Community Comes Together in August

From August 10-12, 2014 the new class of Scholars will join other current Scholars for a Summer Symposium, held in Boulder, Colo. This is a multi-day gathering featuring workshops, speakers, panel discussions, and group projects that allow Scholars to explore the organization's core values of accountability, community, leadership and relentlessness.

The culmination of the three-day Summer Symposium is the Annual Inspire, held at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), which provides the only annual opportunity for the Greenhouse Scholars community to meet all of the Scholars and hear their inspirational stories first hand.

About Greenhouse Scholars
Founded in 2005, Greenhouse Scholars is a Colorado-headquartered non-profit providing comprehensive support for high-performing and under-resourced students from Colorado and Illinois. Through its "Whole Person" approach of intellectual, academic, financial and professional support, Greenhouse Scholars is committed to cultivating the next generation of community leaders.

Becoming a Greenhouse Scholar is a highly competitive process. These students are from the most under-resourced communities: 71 percent of Scholars are the first in their families to attend college, and 37 percent of their families live below the poverty line. Yet they demonstrate extraordinary potential and make giving back to the community a priority: 80 percent of our Greenhouse Scholars lead an organization on campus, 55 percent have founded an organization, event or club and more than 2,000 middle and high school students have been mentored by our Greenhouse Scholars to date. Since 2005, Greenhouse Scholars has served nearly 150 students. Greenhouse Scholars is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

For more information, visit greenhousescholars.org and facebook.com/GreenhouseScholars.

CONTACT:
Michele Rene Scott 
Senior Associate
Greenhouse Partners
T | 303-460-1731
E | [email protected]

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SOURCE Greenhouse Scholars