Graduation Celebration 2017: 
 A Time to Honor Our High School and College Graduates
APRIL19TH GRADUATION CELEBRATION  BOASTS 
BIGGEST TURNOUT EVER!


It was a night to remember, with more than 370 students, parents, and friends of CollegeTracks on hand at the Silver Spring Civic Building to congratulate CollegeTracks students who will go onto college or graduate from college and begin careers. (Photography courtesy of Arne Hoel)

We were overwhelmed by the show of support on the big night. From students and their families to volunteers, MCPS staff, Montgomery County leadership, supporters new and old, as well as the staff of Collegetracks--thank you for making the event so special.

And to those who missed the fun--we hope to see you next year--and thanks for your support. 
 
A recap of the evening follows in this newsletter. 


COMCAST SPORTSNET CHICK HERNANDEZ EMCEES THE SHOW AND SETS THE TONE
 
Our Master of Ceremonies was Comcast SportsNet's Chick  Hernandez (left), a native of Silver Spring and a graduate of Montgomery Blair High School and the University of Maryland.  
But sports fans know him best as the long-time host of the Emmy award-winning
Redskins Kickoff and the
Redskins Postgame Live game day shows. 

True to form, he commented on the Wizards and Capitals playoff games throughout the program while he shared his own struggles on the path to higher education with the students. He emphasized the importance of going to college and credited his mother for setting the expectation that higher education was a must. 

Thank you, Chick, for your words of inspiration, humor and making sure things stayed on track. 

Special Thanks to CALIFORNIA TORTILLA and COLUMBIA CATERING for Dinner and Dessert
INSPIRATIONAL GUEST SPEAKERS: YOUNG AND OLD
 
We are grateful as well for the participation of guest speakers Fabienne Clermont  of Discovery Communications, Maria Tildon of CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield, and Kedric Golston ( right ) of the Washington Redskins. 

The speakers provided inspiration as they shared their own challenges on the path to higher education. 

Kedric Golston told students that they need to be serious about their education, explaining that he nearly lost his football scholarship because he took things for granted and lost focus.  

Wisdom also came in the form of comments from three CollegeTracks students, who each introduced one of the evening's speakers and shared their own stories.



Student speakers included Anupam Ghosh, graduate of WHS, UMD and currently a software engineer at CapitalOne; Kathleen Garcia
(above), graduate of WHS and soon-to-be graduate of Trinity Washington University; and Brandon Rodriguez WMHS senior and rising freshman at Goucher College. 


MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL AND MCPS SUPERINTENDENT DR. JACK SMITH CHAMPION OUR CAUSE

We were honored to have Montgomery County Council President Roger Berliner ( depicted above) on hand to speak to the value of our program and reinforce Montgomery County's belief in and commitment to our program. 

We were especially pleased to have MCPS Superintendent Dr. Jack Smith ( below) with us.  We were honored that Dr. Smith took time out of his busy schedule to address our audience and provide inspiration to our students.



Thank you, Dr. Smith and MCPS staff, for your support and understanding of the critical need for CollegeTracks in all high schools in the county. 

RUTH AND NORMAN RALES AWARD
 
A highlight of the evening was recognition of three high school seniors who have shown extraordinary determination and resilience as well as compassion, respect, and service to others in their commitment to their futures. 
 
 
Recipients (middle, left to right ): Mustaf Ibrahim (WHS), Rokhyatou Sidibe (WMHS), and Elijah Kumi (B-CCHS) appear with Ileane Rosenthal (left ), Alison Beyrle (second from left ), and Joshua Rales (right ) of the Rales Foundation. We look forward to hearing about next steps for each of these talented students.  

From All of Us at COLLEGETRACKS, Thanks for Your Support. With Your Help, We Are Changing Lives.
 
 
COLLEGETRACKS NOW

CollegeTracks changes lives and communities by giving Montgomery County's 
low-income, first-generation-to-college students the chance to go to college or technical school with enough financial aid and continuing support to help them succeed there.

This 2016-17 school year CollegeTracks is serving with more than 700 high school from Wheaton, Watkins Mill, and Bethesda-Chevy Chase High Schools and 360 college students.

For more information, Visit our Website



CollegeTracks| 301 986-4124 | collegetracksusa.org
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