Prep for Prep

#ProgramUpdate Our College Guidance and Undergraduate Affairs team led another successful #PrepSigningDay to celebrate the college choices of the Class of 2021. These students are the definition of perseverance! The festivities began with student introductions where each college announcement was met with applause and cheers. Students then participated in a trivia game and a few sang their college fight song (or improvised a song on the spot). Prep staff offered their congratulations and advice to the graduating class. From all of us in the Prep Community: Congratulations, Class of 2021! #PrepPride

#HappyMothersDay to many of our students' first teachers! Over the past year, you have joined students on their #PrepJourney. Whether it be helping them log in to class or helping them with homework, we appreciate you. From all of us at Prep for Prep, thank you for your hard work and Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms, grandmas, and aunties in the Prep Community!

#StudentUpdate A first-year student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) , Mehrab J. (XXXVII) began attending college remotely from his home in Queens before moving to campus for the spring semester. With a strong interest in math and technology, including experience building web apps and creating STEAM curriculum, he is looking forward to future opportunities to explore pure mathematics research. While in high school, Mehrab completed an independent study on linear... algebra with an advisor at Dalton, and those weekly one on one meetings "helped build mathematical maturity" and led him to continue a path in the field. He credits his Prep advisor, Kalif Jeremiah (XXXI), as someone who helped him understand the different paths available to him at Prep and independent school. That experience inspired him to return as an advisor one summer to guide the new Prep students. "I believe in maintaining promises to myself and others," shared Mehrab. "Integrity, honesty, and follow through are values I try to model." This summer, he will explore software engineering with an internship at The Daily Beast as part of the IAC Fellowship program. We look forward to seeing what you'll accomplish next, Mehrab! See more

#WorkatPrep Just because the academic year is ending, doesn't mean our work does! Prep for Prep is hiring for several positions including instructors and Preparatory Component staff for our summer programs, and Admissions staff. Make a difference for New York City families and help develop ethical and effective leaders for the enduring benefit of all! Learn more at https://www.prepforprep.org/about/work-at-prep

Attention High School Classes of 2020 and 2021! Have you grabbed your FREE #PrepLilacBall sweatshirt yet? Check your emails (including your spam folders) for your special discount code and order your limited edition sweatshirt before June 15.

#TeacherAppreciationWeek Karen Les Pierre (I) has dedicated her career to educating and supporting youth. The Karen Les Pierre Medal is named in her honor and awarded to two students at each Prep Commencement. She currently serves as Director for the Path to College program at First Tee - Metropolitan New York, a youth organization that instills core values and academics through the game of golf. Karen partnered with First Tee through her business, Ms. Karen's A+ Tutoring Cen...ter, LLC, to provide quality tutoring services to participants. Previously, she was a teacher for the NYC DOE teaching elementary, middle, and high school students, and worked in college access programs in community based organizations (CBOs) across New York. She helped young adults prepare for their High School Equivalency Diplomas and assisted high school students in their transition to college at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center in the Bronx, and taught math, science, English, and SAT Prep at Groundwork for Success in Brooklyn. Karen is currently completing an MA in Supervision in Science Education at Teacher's College, Columbia University. See more

#TBT Samona Joe Tait (II) dominates the court as Captain of the Girls Varsity Basketball team at Horace Mann in 1986.

#SeniorSpotlight "I love being able to share my faith with others," said Ndeye T. (P9 XXX), a senior at The Lawrenceville School and Vice President of its Muslim Students Association. "There is sometimes misinformation or stereotypes out there, and being able to create spaces to talk about religion and culture, like with Ramadan Reflections or organizing the food for Jummah prayer meetings, has been really fulfilling." An Honors US History student, Ndeye was selected for the... prestigious Heely Scholars program for advanced US History research. She completed a 15 page research paper spotlighting the work of often overlooked Black female educators, such as Mary McLeod Bethune and Lucy Craft Laney, and their efforts to expand acces to education after slavery was abolished. Reflecting on her journey, she shared that her parents and PREP 9 challenged her to do more than she thought was possible. "To be surrounded by students who also look like you, who also strive like you, was incredible and motivating." Outside of academics, Ndeye is dedicated to helping others. She was honored by Lawrenceville's McClellan Society for hundreds of hours of community service activities. One of the most meaningful opportunities she took part in was mentoring current and formerly homeless Trenton students through HomeFront. Ndeye also enjoys tennis immensely. She played on her school's JV team for four years and hopes to continue with intramurals in college. She cites as her role models Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Naomi Osaka, and Frances Tiafoe: "Seeing how hard they work to succeed in a predominately white sport is exciting, and there's still much more that can be done to increase representation in tennis." After adjusting to an ever-changing year with remote, hybrid, and in-person learning, Ndeye is ready to tackle new challenges this fall at Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs with certificates in African Studies, Teacher Preparation, and Urban Studies. Congrats, Ndeye! #HSclassof2021 See more

#TBT Contingents I and II listen intently and ask questions with representatives from Haverford, Princeton, and Union College. Meeting with college administrators can help students narrow down their college lists and determine where they'd like to apply. This past Tuesday, we celebrated the college choices of Prep for Prep and PREP 9 high school seniors!

#StaffSpotlight Meet Undergraduate Affairs Officer Leslie Francois (P9 XXI)! UA Officers help college students navigate financial aid, create a budget, sign up or switch classes, and if an officer isn’t sure about the answer to a student’s question, they’ll direct them to the correct resources. When Leslie first saw the job opening in 2017, he had graduated from college a few months before. Being a Prep kid myself, it would be like talking to me from four years ago. But bei...ng a Prep kid wasn’t always what Leslie wanted. "I did not want to be in Prep. I think I’m old enough to say that without being scared of my mom. I was 12 and wanted to play with my friends. He still remembers when he found out he was accepted. ""I came home from Coney Island, it was the best day ever, the last day of school, thinking I had the whole summer ahead of me..." Although things didn’t go as planned for 12-year-old Leslie, he made friends quickly and appreciated the opportunities that opened up to him as a result of the program. One of the events he valued as a high school student was the College Transitions Retreat which he now helps organize and host as a UA Officer. "It's just trying to get you to think proactively on whatever curveballs college might throw at you. It was nice to be able to connect with people before I went off to college. I think that's the main draw is to see your friends, especially the ones across programs from Prep for Prep and PREP 9." He even volunteered as a chaperone for the retreat while he was in college, as well as chaperoning the annual boarding school retreat for young PREP 9 students. At @davidsoncollege.nc, Leslie wasn't focused so much on a specific major as he was on taking classes. One thing he was sure of was that he wanted to continue studying Mandarin, and he did. He ended up majoring in East Asian Studies and was the first graduate of the program at Davidson. Although he doesn't study Mandarin as much as he'd like now, he can still make small talk. Leslie will be attending the College Transitions Retreat for the 6th time (4th time as a UA Officer) next week. #AlumUpdate See more

Attention, high school seniors! Our Undergraduate Affairs team is here to help smooth the transition from high school to college with their virtual College Transitions Retreat. The retreat is a chance to meet your undergraduate advisors who will help you succeed over the next 4 years. You will also have the choice to sign up for several Zoom sessions that cover topics beyond academics like financial literacy, healthy relationships, and mental health. The retreat will end with a chance to win gift card prizes! Check your email for the google form to register for some or all Zoom sessions. We'll see you there!