Rep. Fattah Inspires and Challenges Philadelphia Grads at CORE Scholars Summer Sendoff, the Program He Founded

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) offered both inspiration and a challenge in a rousing talk to CORE Scholars –the college-bound 2011 graduates of Philadelphia high schools attending the CORE Scholars College Sendoff Conference today.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110323/DC70526LOGO)

The students are all heading off to college this fall with a scholarship stipend from College Opportunity Resources for Education, the program Fattah founded in 2004. CORE has disbursed more than $33.4 million to 21,308 Philadelphia college-bound students – every eligible student from all city high schools -- through spring 2011. Since its inception no other program in the city has provided more scholarship money to more students.

"Four years from now, if you have graduated from college, you will earn more than $1.5 million more than high school graduates over your lifetime of work," Fattah said as he offered congratulations to all the CORE Scholars upon college acceptance and its opportunities. "There's a difference between working at McDonald's and owning a McDonald's."

More than 200 recent Philadelphia grads attended the daylong program that featured college readiness workshops, advice on financial aid and a preview of what students could expect at the next level.

One benefit of a college degree, he said, is that it will provide young men and women with the opportunity "to help everyone else." He noted that Philadelphians are "at the very bottom" in the rate of college educated adults and "at the top" of people who live below the poverty line. College, and advanced education beyond college, is the way to change all that.

"Study hard and do your work. Think about what you are doing," Fattah said. "Your parents are not going to be there to get you up early and get you ready. They aren't going to be there to give you absolute encouragement to do your best every day. You are going to have choices to make. You're going to have to give up on that party and study. Join academic clubs and don't just engage in social activities."

"Once you leave to go to college, it is going to be on you," he said.

Fattah cited as models some outstanding Philadelphians from city schools and modest backgrounds, including Dr. Ala Stanford Frey, a world acclaimed pediatric surgeon who was born to a teenage mom in North Philadelphia; Guion Bluford, the first African American astronaut, who graduated from Overbrook High School; and Philadelphian and Drexel University graduate Chris Ferguson, who piloted NASA's final shuttle mission this summer.

Fattah, a Congressional leader in education reform and higher education opportunity, was introduced by CORE Scholars Executive Director Donyale Reavis as the official who made this program possible and is responsible for young people across the nation to pursue higher education. Fattah began at the Cira Centre, 2929 Arch Street, Philadelphia, by calling out the names of participating colleges and universities, drawing cheers from students headed to those schools, from Millersville and West Chester to Temple and Philadelphia Community College.

"What am I missing? Kutztown?" he asked, drawing more cheers.

CORE Scholarships are unique in that every recent graduate from a Philadelphia high school – public, charter, private, parochial – receives at least some assistance toward first year college tuition and expenses. The program has even awarded scholarships to home schooled and cyber-schooled Philadelphia youth who complete high school studies.

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah