News and Announcements
Kranz Intermediate School Inducts 15 Students into Partnership Scholars Program
A wonderful 6-year journey toward college entry began for 15 hard working seventh graders from Kranz as they were inducted into the Partnership Scholars Program.
Fifteen seventh graders from Kranz Intermediate School embarked on a six year journey to college entry as they were inducted into the Partnership Scholars Program (PSP). This is the tenth year Kranz has been involved in PSP, one of the most successful college-access education programs in the United States.A special ceremony was held for the 15 inductees and their families as well as other Partnership Scholars, all former Kranz students.
PSP, a volunteer, nonprofit program made possible by private donations and business and foundation support, gives students in low income, minority communities of California a life-changing opportunity – to turn a dream of a college education into reality. The program provides ongoing financial aid in the form of mentoring and educational and cultural enrichment to needy and bright young people from the seventh grade through high school. The goal is to enable the scholars to qualify for entry into four-year universities with scholarship aid.
PSP was developed by Dr. Glen Langer as a way to payback the kindness shown to him many years ago by strangers who gave him a college scholarship and made his dream of becoming a doctor a reality. A retired UCLA medical professor and cardiovascular research lab director, Langer began his personal campaign and the program 13 years ago to prepare seventh graders from low income neighborhoods for college.
There are now a total of 500 students in the PSP, and of the 160 high school graduates, 93% of them are in four-year colleges with up to $63,000.00 in scholarship or financial aid. Among the universities attended by PSP scholars are Harvard, UCLA, USC, UC Berkeley, BYU, Stanford, Wellesley, Brown, Occidental, Pepperdine,
Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine, UC San Diego and Loyola Marymount to name a few.
“Congratulations to all the new scholars. The competition was fierce but you made it.
Now you can explore the world near and far, all you have to do is keep your grades up, study hard, keep a college focus and listen to your mentors,” said Patricia Zwagerman, PSP Director. “I am always impressed with the enthusiasm of our scholars to pursue their dreams and participate in the program and I thank the mentors for their dedication and the wonderful donors who’s extraordinary contributions make the scholars’ dreams come true.”
Kranz’s 15 new inductees were selected from 180 applicants based on their grade point average, motivation for higher education, supportive home environment and financial need. The program provides the students with mentors and a monetary stipend of $9,800 to be used over the six years on educational enrichment such as extra books, computers, museum trips, concerts, plays, college campus visitations, sporting events, out of state trips and other activities to help them become well rounded individuals.
“I am so excited about the new experiences I am going to have as a PSP scholar. My dream is to attend Harvard or Yale and become a lawyer and then a judge,” said Jimena Jimenez, inductee.
Fellow inductee, Viridiana Martinez is also thrilled with the opportunities that lie ahead as a PSP scholar.
“I am eager to experience all PSP has to offer and go on trips to great places like the Museum of Tolerance. I would like to attend Dartmouth or Yale and pursue a career in the FBI or field of psychology.”
According to Cindy Stone, a member of the PSP Board of Directors and donor, PSP is all about believing in the potential of very young people. “Dr. Langer knows there are very bright students who are often in very difficult situations and this should not hinder any of them from fulfilling their dreams. That’s what PSP is for - you can’t go it alone, you need the partnership of mentors, administrators, parents and others to help our scholars achieve.”
Arlene Legaspe, Kranz’s PSP Coordinator is eager to receive invitations to college graduations in 2010.
“2010 will mark the college graduation of our first group of Kranz PSP scholars and I can’t wait to attend the celebrations and see our students complete their dreams. We are very fortunate to have this wonderful program at Kranz and do date we have 70 students who have benefitted from the tremendous opportunities PSP offers. We greatly appreciate Dr. Langer and all the donors who truly make a difference in the lives of students.”
For Daniel Contreras, a 2009 high school graduate and former Kranz student, PSP gave him the opportunity to expand his world views.
“Being a PSP scholar was an excellent experience,” said Contreras. “I am attending Pomona College on a full scholarship and the generosity of PSP has given me the motivation to see the good in the world and I will work to pay it forward.”
“PSP created a new world for me, a world free of burden, financial struggles and where education is attainable,” said Berenice Villa, 2009 high school graduate and former Kranz student now attending UCLA on a full scholarship. “My PSP peers and mentors are my second family. I want to help and impact people through all I do in life and I am majoring in biology and hope to become a pediatrician.”
In addition to the excited inductees, the parents and families were just as happy and proud to have their children participate in this beneficial program.
“I am so very grateful to the program,” said Lorena Sanchez, parent. “I have two daughters who have benefitted greatly from PSP and one is attending UC Berkeley studying film and political science and the other is at UCLA studying to become a pathologist. Tonight my youngest daughter was inducted and I’m so thankful for the amazing experience she is going to have.”
