Shout Out to Daniel!

As a Boston Scholar, Daniel is our student representative for the incredible Mike Sullivan Memorial Scholarship and the team working on the golf tournament to raise money to support this fund.

Here's a short "shout out" on what Daniel is doing this Fall:

As a freshman at the tuition-based Boston College High School, Daniel continues to serve as a great representative of the Boston Scholars Program. Proving himself to be a dedicated student, Daniel's high grade point average earned him High Honors this past semester at BC High. Outside the classroom, Daniel has joined the Cross Country team and enjoys representing his school in 2 mile races. Daniel finds that sports allow him to learn a great deal from a supportive coach and new friends. In terms of community service, Daniel makes time to serve on his school's Black and Latino Student Union. What Daniel enjoys most from The Student Union is that it allows him to teach others in the larger school community about his culture and background. Thinking ahead about his goals for college in 2010, Daniel hopes to be admitted to a challenging college where he can pursue his interest in science and biology.

Volunteer Mentors Needed

The success of the Boston Scholars Program hinges on our volunteer mentors, who spend a few hours a month meeting with their students to mentor them and help make sure they are on a path to success. All we ask of our mentors is to make a one year committment to mentor their student. Many of our relationships last longer than this, because of the great friendships that develop between mentors and students. For times when getting together in person is a challenge, some mentors just speak with their students over the phone.

If you want to learn more about volunteer mentoring with the Boston Scholars Program, you can check out our mentoring page or check our this other website about mentoring in Boston.

We need volunteer mentors today for our new class of students. Contact us now to volunteer as a mentor.

Please Welcome Frank Cruz , Executive Director

Frank joins the Boston Scholars Program team having just graduated from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education where he received his Master of Education and before that the John F. Kennedy School of Government where he received his Master in Public Administration. Frank decided to get his two Masters degrees after a strong career spent as a senior administrator who helped build Prep for Prep, a nonprofit similar to Boston Scholars that identifies and prepares minority youth for success in independent high school and college.

Frank embodies so many of the elements that Boston Scholars strives to build in each of its Scholars. Born and raised in the South Bronx section of New York City, Frank’s willingness to challenge himself academically led him to accept a scholarship to attend independent school in Manhattan and later boarding school. During his four years at the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, Frank excelled in class, sports and community service. His drive and preparation led him to become a first generation college graduate. After completing his undergraduate degree at Princeton University, Frank continued his involvement in leadership development work with low-income youth by founding major divisions and components of Prep for Prep in New York City.

Over for the greater part of 15 years, Frank served in a variety of positions including Deputy Executive Director for Leadership Development and Deputy Executive Director for Alumni Affairs. At one point, Frank headed up one-third of the 50-team organization, supervising staff and counseling for Prep grades 10-12, undergraduates and all work with college graduates. Always remembering the community of his childhood, Frank took a two-year hiatus from the nonprofit world to do political work in the Bronx. During that time, Frank ran for the New York State Assembly as a Candidate for the 79th Assembly District, Bronx, New York. Frank is happy to lead the Boston Scholars Program to greater success each year.

2nd Annual Boston Scholars Halloween Party a Success

The powerful crowd of over 200 business leaders, educators, graduate students, and young professionals, gathered in costume at MANTRA October 27 and raised funds to support the Boston Scholars Program, making it once again Boston's Best Halloween Party!

Thanks to event sponsors Keds Corporation, Edwards Angell, Palmer & Dodge LLC, and MANTRA.

Click here to see photos from the event.

Keds Partners With Boston Scholars at a Cool Halloween Party

Keds Cares Campaign Supports the Boston Scholars Program 2nd Annual Halloween Party Fundraising Event - Click here for event photos

Taking a cue from their ad campaign titled "be cool," the Keds Corporation today announced their support of a cool event – the Boston Scholars 2nd Annual Masquerade Party, which is a Halloween costume fundraising party to benefit the Boston Scholars Program held at 9pm on Friday, October 27 at MANTRA in Boston.

This Masquerade Party continues the collaboration between Keds and Boston Scholars that began this summer, when Keds implemented a unique mentorship program -- "Keds Shadow Days" -- during which Boston Scholars spent time at the company's headquarters in Lexington, Mass., and "shadowed" staff members throughout their workdays to gain exposure to the day-to-day activities of a major corporation.

"We are thrilled to have Keds as a corporate partner supporting our annual Halloween costume party," said Mike Volpe, co-founder and member of the board of directors of the Boston Scholars Program. "It's refreshing to work with a corporation that shares our philosophy for not only giving back to the community, but also that will actively participate in programs and events to provide that support."

"Keds is excited to partner with the Boston Scholars Program, a great organization that is dedicated to providing educational opportunities to local students" noted Shawn Neville, president of Keds Corporation.

The Boston Scholars 2nd Annual Masquerade Party will be held on Friday, October 27 at 9pm at MANTRA at 52 Temple Place in Boston, Mass. Tickets are available in advance for $25 and at the door for $35, more information on the event and how to purchase tickets is available at http://bostonscholars.org/Bostons_Best_Halloween_Party_2006.html

About The Keds Corp.
The Keds Corp. is a subsidiary of The Stride Rite Corporation, a company that markets the leading brand of high quality children's shoes in the United States. Other footwear products for children and adults are marketed by the Company under well-known brand names including Keds, Pro-Keds, Saucony, Sperry Top-Sider, Tommy Hilfiger, Grasshoppers and Munchkin. Information about the Company is available on website - www.strideritecorp.com. Information about the Company's brands and product lines is available at www.striderite.com, www.keds.com, www.saucony.com, www.ProKeds.com, www.sperrytopsider.com and www.grasshoppers.com.

Keds Corporation Partners with Boston Scholars Program

Keds Cares Campaign Supports Local Educational Initiative for Kids

Taking a cue from their ad campaign titled "be cool," the Keds Corporation today announced one of their coolest collaborations yet - a partnership with the Boston Scholars Program.

As part of its partnership with the Boston Scholars Program, Keds will sponsor several of the organization's key events. Keds will also implement a unique mentorship program - "Keds Scholar Shadow Days" - during which Boston Scholars spend time at the company's headquarters in Lexington, Mass., and "shadow" staff members throughout their workdays. These Shadow Days will allow students to gain exposure to the day-to-day activities of a major corporation. The partnership kick-off event will be a Community Service Day at the Boston Nature Center this summer. Each Scholar will work with representatives from Keds as well as their individual mentors to help maintain the sanctuary's appearance. As is the goal of all the Program's Scholar-focused events, this outing will teach the kids teamwork and leadership skills as well as provide them with an opportunity to learn about the Nature Center. Keds will also support the organization's flagship event, the Annual Masquerade Party on Saturday, October 28, 2006 to help raise funds and awareness.

"As part of the Stride Rite Corporation, we at Keds are committed to being an active participant in our local community, and we can't think of a better way to do that than to support the development of today's youth," noted Shawn Neville, group president of Keds and Saucony. "By becoming actively involved with these amazing students, together with the Boston Scholars Program, hopefully we are able to impress upon these Scholars the values they personally strive to live by everyday, and inspire them to continue their pursuits to further their education."

"We are thrilled to have Keds as a corporate partner," said Rob Higby, Executive Director on the Board of Directors of the Boston Scholars Program. "It's refreshing to work with a corporation that shares our philosophy for not only giving back to the community, but also in providing kids with opportunities that will give them the tools they need to be successful, productive leaders, and mentors, for the rest of their lives."

About The Keds Corp.
The Keds Corp. is a subsidiary of The Stride Rite Corporation, a company that markets the leading brand of high quality children's shoes in the United States. Other footwear products for children and adults are marketed by the Company under well-known brand names including Keds, Pro-Keds, Saucony, Sperry Top-Sider, Tommy Hilfiger, Grasshoppers and Munchkin. Information about the Company is available on website - www.strideritecorp.com. Information about the Company's brands and product lines is available at www.striderite.com, www.keds.com, www.saucony.com, www.ProKeds.com, www.sperrytopsider.com and www.grasshoppers.com.

Boston Magazine's Most Wanted Singles Event Benefits Boston Scholars

Julia Perkins was recently named one of Boston Magazine's Most Wanted Singles. On Thursday, June 8th, Julia and the other singles were auctioned off for dates at Gypsy Bar in Boston, and the Boston Scholars Program was selected as the recipient of all of the proceeds from Julia's auction. Click here to read the article on Julia from Boston Magazine.