An Extraordinary Fiesta for Firsts

One week ago at Tacombi's Flatiron location, more than 120 friends of The American Dream School came together in support of the primarily first-generation-American, first-generation-to-college students we serve, at our inaugural ¡Fiesta For Firsts! spring fundraiser.

We are grateful to everyone who has supported the event, with special thanks to Tacombi's leadership and staff for so graciously hosting us and underwriting the evening, and to our Advisory Board for its leadership in designing and championing the event.

To-date, our effort has raised $45,597.70 towards our $50,000 goal for this initiative, every dollar of which will smooth first-gen students' paths to college through, in total:

• $20,000 in scholarships to help get them there,
• $25,000 in emergency micro-grants available to keep them there, and
• $5,000 in faculty professional development to enhance students' academic and personal growth along the way.

During the evening's program:

• Tacombi Founder and CEO Dario Wolos discussed his own immigrant experience and why Tacombi in its mission to support Mexican communities, has partnered with The American Dream School;

• Mathematics instructor Prince Islam described the sacrifices his parents made to enable him to become a first-generation college graduate and how, at American Dream, he teaches and supports students on a similar journey every day;

• "Triple-First" Layla Clemente, Class of 2021, shared how American Dream's dual-language approach and college-going culture is supporting her path to becoming the person "behind the desk," providing for her parents the way they have provided for her;

• American Dream Founder and Executive Director Melissa Melkonian discussed her vision for American Dream as a school that would treat students' native language and culture as an asset rather than a liability and how that vision has been made reality, with 450 college acceptances for the first-ever senior class (and nearly 500 for the Class of 2022).

Special Thanks to our Lead Sponsors

Dr. Clyde G. McKee and Mary McKee and Family

Photos courtesy of Asylbek Photo