University of Connecticut Center for Academic Programs ......Jr., Francelis Gonzalez, Michael Hua,...

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

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.


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

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.


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!

University of Connecticut Center for Academic Programs ......Jr., Francelis Gonzalez, Michael Hua,...

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