Post on 24-Mar-2021
University of Connecticut
Center for Academic Programs
ConnCAP Newsletter Volume VII Issue I Spring 2014
Please Submit to the Newsletter:
Academic, Civic, and Ath-
letic Honors
Community Service News &
Activities
Original Writings
Original Artwork
School or Class News
Issues or Questions Information for the newsletter is drawn from the information you provide to your advisors during team meetings. We want to hear from you! Please submit to the newsletter! Contact your counselor about any interesting activities or events that you’d like to share!
Inside this issue:
Academic Days 2, 5
TRiO Day 4
Student Achievements 3
Senior Acceptances 2
Letter from the Director I want to take this opportunity
to welcome our new students and bid
farewell to our graduating seniors.
Congratulations to our senior class on
all their accomplishments and recent
college acceptances. This year, our
seniors were accepted into a number of
highly competitive colleges and re-
ceived many scholarships. We are
very proud of their achievements!
I also want to congratulate our
new students and their parents/
guardians on their acceptance into the
program. It is always difficult to select
new students—so many talented young
people apply, and we can only offer
admission to a small number. New
students and their parents and guardi-
ans will attend Orientation on Satur-
day, May 17th. I’m looking forward to
welcoming them to campus.
I would also like to thank all
the high schools for making the recruit-
ment process a success.
Our students have been attending
team meetings and I encourage everyone to
continue to take advantage of these meetings,
along with the tutoring that we offer.
We have begun preparing for the
(quickly) approaching Summer Program,
which starts June 22. Please remember that
you must do well academically in order to
participate in the summer component. If you
have any questions please talk to your advi-
sor!
Please stay connected and updated
about upcoming activities and announce-
ments throughout the coming months.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
Susana Ulloa,
Director
ConnCAP Program
Congratulations and Welcome to our New
Students! As always, the student applicants this year were extremely accomplished, which made the selection process extremely difficult!
We welcome our new students and look forward to getting to know them this summer!
Hartford Public High School
Eric Bueno, Domingos Barbosa,
Khalil Bradley, Bishnu Mishra,
Laura Webster, Zariya Brown, Jor-
dan Freeman, Maria Martinez,
Ashley Rodriguez, Kimani Thomp-
son, Chanell Watkins, Nadia Abdul
Al Munem, Tea-Ani Baez, Zaire
Diaz, Nachaly Felipe, Kokoe Folly,
Niko McLennan, Kiany Plaza, Jose
Quinones, Priscilla Shaun, Nayeliz
Sosa, Angelique Torres, Ashley
Weaver
Windham High School
Alfredo Aguilar, Charles Estrada
Jr., Francelis Gonzalez, Michael
Hua, Joseph Quiles Ramos,
Jazlynn Ramos, Desiree Rivera,
Ruby Rodriguez-Sanchez, Paola
Velazquez
Bulkeley High School
Danielle Begin, Abraham Fattouh
IV, Alexxis Garcia, Wellington Gil,
Vencent Hamilton-Bell, Toi Jack-
son, William Johnson, Michael
Menzie, Jr., Kya Nyaunt, Luis
Olan, Kreeshawn Rismay, Julio
Rivera, Stephanie Rosado,
Diamond Slay, Angeline Sostre,
Alaychia Tyner
Page 2 CONNCAP NEWSLETTER Spring 2014
Hartford:
Isiah Cabrera: University of Connecticut-Hartford, Central Connecticut State University, University of
Hartford, Manchester Community College, Capital Community College
Everton James: University of Connecticut-Storrs, Central Connecticut State University, University of New
Haven, University of Bridgeport
Gaitrie Tulsie: Rhode Island College, Lesley University, Curry College, Central Connecticut State University
Saskeia Doris: University of Connecticut-Hartford, Oakwood University (Alabama), University of Hartford,
Eastern Connecticut State University
Teyana White: University of Connecticut-Hartford, Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut
State University, University of New Haven, Worcester State University, Manchester Community College
Akeem Brown: University of Connecticut-Hartford
Jonell Smith: University of Connecticut-Hartford, University of Hartford, Worcester Polytechnic Institute,
Central Connecticut State University, Quinnipiac University
Horlando Cornejal: University of Connecticut-Hartford, Columbia College (Chicago), Central Connecticut
State University
Chelsea Zayas: Manchester Community College, Springfield Technical Community College
Windham:
Karita Perry: Eastern Connecticut State University, Sacred Heart University, Central Connecticut State
University, University of Connecticut-Avery Point, Newbury College, Colby-Sawyer College
Miguel Navarro-Rivera: Goodwin College
Celebrating College Acceptances from the Senior Class:
Somewhere at the Hartford Stage To celebrate the end of the 2013-14 aca-
demic year, ConnCAP students and staff met on
Saturday, April 26 to attend a per-
formance of “Somewhere” at the
Hartford Stage. Students enjoyed
the performance and many were
able to return to see the play again
with their high schools before the
run ended.
The play was written by
Matthew Lopez. Two years ago,
the Hartford Stage put on Whip-
ping Boy, another of his plays, and
next year, they will stage a version
of his Reverberation, highlighting
how popular his work has been in
the local community.
Somewhere is set in the 1950s, in the San
Juan Hill neighborhood of Manhattan. The play
tells the story of the Candelarias, a Puerto Rican
family, who face the potential destruction of their
neighborhood. Poised for redevelopment as an art
district home to the Metropolitan Opera and Julli-
ard School, the Candelarias learn that their home is
scheduled for demolition in
only thirty days.
The play examines ten-
sions between two kinds of cul-
ture: the historical culture of a
neighborhood and the high art
culture of a city. Choosing be-
tween the two cities, Lopez ar-
gues, risks destroying the very
neighborhoods that make them
special—places like the West
Side where the Candelarias live.
The musical calls to
mind elements of West Side
Story, which was filmed in the
area shortly before it was destroyed. The story tells
an important message about the dangers that indi-
viduals can face due to progress and the power of
family to overcome adversity.
CONNCAP NEWSLETTER Page 3 Spring 2014
Notable Student Accomplishments This Year
Senior Class
Akeem Brown will graduate as the salutatorian
for his class at Hartford Public High School Academy
of Engineering and Green Technology. With the sec-
ond highest GPA in his academy, Akeem has worked
exceptionally hard in the last four years! In the fall, he
will attend the University of Connecticut-Hartford
campus.
Isiah Cabrera will graduate in the top 20% of
his class at Hartford Public High School Academy of
Engineering and Green Technology. In the fall, he will
attend the University of Connecticut-Hartford campus.
Everton James is a 2014 recipient of the Jacob
L. and Lewis Fox Foundation Scholarship. This schol-
arship is awarded based on academic achievement,
outstanding character, demonstrated leadership, a spirit
of reverence, and financial need. Everton will also
graduate as the valedictorian of Bulkeley High School.
In the fall, he will attend Central Connecticut State
University.
Jonell Smith will graduate in the top 10% of
her class at Hartford Public High School Academy of
Engineering and Green Technology. She also served
as captain of her robotics team. In the fall, she will
attend the University of Connecticut-Hartford campus.
Teyana Whyte received the Hartford Princi-
pals’ and Supervisors’ Association Scholarship and the
Dr. Nima Patel & Daniel McNaughton Scholarship.
She will graduate top in the 15% of her class at Hart-
ford Public High School Nursing Academy. She was
also All State in Track and Field for her conference,
finishing in the top 5 in long jump. In the fall, she will
attend the University of New Haven.
Junior Class
Jordan-Elijah Baez made honor roll at Bulke-
ley High School.
Javante Danvers joined the National Honor
Society. This very high honor is reserved for students
who excel academically, as well as in leadership, ser-
vice, and character. Javante is currently first in her
class at Great Path Academy and is on track to gradu-
ate as valedictorian next year.
Stephanie Duran made honor roll at Wind-
ham High School.
Risher Pena-Gomez made honor roll at Hart-
ford Public High School Law and Government
Academy.
Sophomore Class
Danielle Allerdyce made honor roll at Bulke-
ley High School.
Omari Brooks made honor roll at Bulkeley
High School. She also was chosen as All State in
Track and Field for her conference.
Jennifer Figueroa made honor roll at Wind-
ham High School.
Liliana Garcia made honor roll at Bulkeley
High School.
Alondra Morales made honor roll at Wind-
ham High School.
Zuleyma Reynoso joined the National Honor
Society at Bulkeley High School, honoring her com-
mitment to scholarship, service, leadership, and char-
acter. National Honor Society is a very high honor
and an indication of how hard Zuleyma has worked.
CONNCAP NEWSLETTER
Page 4 Spring 2014
TRiO Day 2014—Framingham, Massachusetts
On February 20-21, 2014, students from
ConnCAP traveled to the TRiO Day 2014, held in Fram-
ingham, MA. National TRiO
Day is a two day event promot-
ing celebration, reflection and
action, centered around in-
creased access to higher educa-
tion for students from low in-
come, first-generation, or other
disadvantaged backgrounds.
Federal TRiO Programs help
low-income and first-generation
students graduate from high
school, enter college, and earn
college degrees.
Every year at TRiO Day,
high school and college stu-
dents, teachers, Members of
Congress, local officials, TRiO
program staff, participants,
alumni and others:
Celebrate the positive im-
pact of federal TRiO Pro-
grams in our communities
throughout the nation.
Reflect on the importance of educational opportunity
programs in creating a fairer society for all Ameri-
cans.
Act to protect and further access to higher education
for low-income and first-generation students.
(source: Pell Institute).
At this conference, students had the opportunity to
meet other Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search,
and Gear Up students from all over New England and
learn about why and how TRiO programs have been
successful over the years.
This year during TRiO day, our students
stayed overnight at the Sheraton Hotel and Center
in Framingham, Massa-
chusetts and participated
in a variety of events, in-
cluding a college fair, col-
lege preparation and infor-
mational workshops, tours
of the Clark University
and Wentworth Institute
of Technology campuses,
a dance party, games,
movies, and a Scholars
Bowl.
This year’s key-
note speech was delivered
by TRiO Program Alumn,
Shani Turner, Ph.D. Dr.
Turner is a Children and
Adolescent Psychologist
in the Greater Boston
Area. Her inspiring speech
encouraged TRiO students
to be brave in working to create their own path and
pattern of success in life. She reminded them the
importance of seeking out help when they need it,
especially when they go to college. The last, but
not least popular part of the trip was a visit by
Massachusetts State Representative Tom Sanni-
candro. His speech was an uplifting and encourag-
ing end to the weekend.
CONNCAP NEWSLETTER Page 5 Spring 2014
Great Expectations Movement Academic Day
The first academic day of the spring semester
brought not only exciting discussions about students’ dreams
and plans, but also the return of several ConnCAP alums
who were excited to share their post-high school success
with students. Students arrived at the University of Con-
necticut, Storrs Campus at 10 AM to find a continental
breakfast awaiting them in the Center for Undergraduate
Education (CUE) along with six guests from The Great Ex-
pectations Movement (G.E.M). G.E.M was started by three
seniors at The College of Saint Rose, including Jermaine
Brookshire Jr. whom was an alum of UCONN’s Upward
Bound/ConnCAP Program. Each guest, including another
alum, Enerida Ademi, shared their testimony which lead to
the broad idea of achieving greatness even when things were
not going well and how they are making their dreams a real-
ity. Jermaine shared his experience as the youngest member
of the New York Assembly as a Committee Assistant
working with state legislatures and state attorneys. He is
also in the process of applying for Harvard Law School
so he can one day accomplish his dream of being a Su-
preme Court Justice.
Students broke off into small groups to discuss
thoughts about their future and where they see themselves
10 years from now and how they are currently preparing
to get there.
They finished their discussion by sharing their
personal thoughts and ideas on how having a dream is not
enough to make a person successful but creating their
plan, execute it, achieve the plan and last but not least
give back to those in their
community.
FRS 290902
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
CONNCAP
CENTER FOR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
368 FAIRFIELD WAY, U-4170
STORRS, CT 06269-
Phone: 1-800-839-6869
860-486– 4040
Fax: 860-486-4024
Thank you to all High School Personnel!
We would like to thank each high school’s guidance department and support staff for assisting us in the recruitment of this year’s ConnCAP incoming class. Their time, energy, and
support is invaluable!