(MS)2 Spring 2014 Newsletter

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Mathematics & Science for Minority Students

A Phillips Academy Outreach Program

Please Support this Extraordinary Program

From the Director

Participation in (MS)2 is free of charge

A Very Special Graduation

to all students for all three summers.

Thanks to the hard work, curious minds, and positive attitudes of 112 African American, Latino, and Native America students from public schools across the country, (MS)2 had a wonderful 36th summer.

and board, and travel expenses—are

It was a special joy for me to witness the graduation of the first 2 group of “my” (MS) students—now so much more mature, polished, and well spoken than when, as the program’s new director, I recruited them more than three years ago. Many of these bright young people recently received acceptances from colleges and universities such as Brown, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt, Princeton, Bates, Bowdoin, and Northeastern.

The summer 2014 program had 424 applicants from urban public schools and Native American reservations across the country; approximately 36 students will be admitted to the Class of 2016. That’s an acceptance rate of just over 8 percent. Given the talent in this year’s pool of applicants, decisions will be difficult, and, sadly, many deserving students will receive disappointing news.

Since its founding in 1977, (MS)2 has served approximately 1,100 economically disadvantaged students. Looking ahead, my hope is to find the financial resources to both strengthen our alumni relationships and expand the program. Too many talented students— students who have the potential to make a positive difference in their communities, in our country, and in the world beyond—are turned away each year.

The (MS)2 program is a manifestation of Phillips Academy’s commitment to being a private school with a public purpose. The Academy’s investment in and support of this program is clearly making a difference in the lives of (MS)2 students and alumni, but we need to open the door even wider. I look forward to continuing in this rewarding work.

—Dianne D. Cruz

Full scholarships—covering tuition, room made possible thanks to generous gifts from individuals and foundations.

• A gift of $6,000 supports one scholar each summer.

• A gift of $125,000 to the (MS)2 endowment supports one named scholarship in perpetuity.

• A gift of any size is appreciated.

Visit www.andover.edu/ms2giving to make your gift. For further information, contact Sharyn Bahn at 978-749-4523 or sbahn@andover.edu.

(MS)

At a Glance

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(MS)2 was founded in 1977 to address the compelling need to cultivate the mathematical and scientific abilities of economically disadvantaged African American, Latino, and Native American high school students.

In a residential setting on the historic Phillips Academy campus in Andover, Massachusetts, the three-summer program challenges students intellectually and exposes them to peers and educators with diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and aspirations. This program is free of charge to all accepted students.

Hometown Ties Benefit Haverhill Scholar Although Konse Skrivanos, his wife, Lorna, and their children (Victoria ’15 and Nikolas ’17) live in North Andover, Mass., Konse has strong ties to his nearby hometown of Haverhill. He and his his family are involved in several nonprofit endeavors to help the city’s citizens and businesses.

Donor Highlight

When Konse learned about the (MS)2 program, he offered to underwrite a three-year scholarship for a student from Haverhill.

Although local (MS)2 students are typically from Lawrence, Mass., Director Dianne Cruz was delighted to make an exception and, in 2012, Stephanie Bellapianta became Haverhill’s first (MS)2 scholar.

(MS)2 scholar Stephanie Bellapianta (center) met Konse and Lorna Skrivanos, sponsors of her three-year scholarship, for the first time in February 2014 and presented them with a heartfelt letter of thanks. On track to graduate from the (MS)2 program this summer, Stephanie is considering a a career in computer programming and coding.

Stephanie, who is very grateful to the Skrivanoses, is about to enter her third summer of (MS)2 and looks forward to the privileges that come with being one of the older students in the program. “I have gained a lot of confidence when tackling my coursework,” she says, “and since this is such a prestigious program, I also feel like a role model—someone that other minority students at Haverhill High School can look up to.”

If you would like to sponsor an (MS) 2 student, please contact Sharyn Bahn at 978-749-4523 or sbahn@andover.edu.

Trustee and Foundation Visit

Breaking Bread with (MS)2 Students Three Phillips Academy trustees spent a full day on campus this past summer to learn first-hand about PA’s four outreach programs. Thomas Beaton ’73, Daniel Cunningham ’67, and

(MS)2—Like a Village

Tristin Batchelder Mannion ’82 met in a special Paresky

The passion, enthusiasm, and self-motivation of (MS) scholars has

Commons dining room for lunch with eight (MS)2 students,

inspired Lionel Amanfu to teach at (MS)2 for six summers—and

several of whom were sporting new T-shirts from their visits to

counting. He feels privileged to engage and stimulate young minds

area colleges that morning. The group also was joined by Head

in their pursuit of academic excellence. “With faculty members

of School John Palfrey, (MS)2 Director Dianne Cruz, and Argero

ranging from high school teachers to university professors, the

Siklas, a program officer from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation,

learning bar is constantly being raised to effectively challenge

which helps fund the (MS)2 program.

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scholars to achieve and exceed course expectations,” notes Amanfu, a mathematics professor at Florida Institute of Technology.

The informal conversations centered around the students’ experiences in (MS)2—a far more rigorous program than offered

“(MS)2 embodies the unity and community for learning,” he says.

at their home schools—as well as their hopes for college, careers,

“There is an African proverb that goes, ‘It takes a village to raise a

and beyond. Siklas and the trustees departed with a clearer sense

child.’ (MS) is like a village that brings together each summer a

of the diversity of the program and the students’ passion for

group of amazing and talented faculty who are dedicated and love

learning, as well as their unanimous and heartfelt appreciation

the profession of teaching. Committed to educating one scholar

for the opportunity to spend three summers studying together on

at a time, the seed of hard work, success, and accomplishment

Andover Hill.

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is planted in the mind of each scholar and set to blossom as they depart from Andover to pursue their educational ambitions.”

Photos by Gil Talbot

Our 2013 (MS)2 Graduates

“Along with the knowledge gained, the long-lasting bonds and memories I made with such a diverse group of people were my favorite parts of (MS)2.”

—Jide Omekam, (MS)2 ’13

Spotlight on an (MS) Graduate 2

Encouraged by his principal to apply to the program, Jide Omekam came to (MS) from 2

Banneker High School in Washington, D.C. His three summers on the Phillips Academy campus opened his eyes to a world of new possibilities and hope. Four key life lessons learned, says Jide, were: 1. Treat everyone in a good manner.

2. Money does not define success.

3. Knowledge is one of the few things that no human being can take away from an individual.

4. Anything is possible.

Immersed in chemistry labs and calculus equations, Jide discovered new approaches to solving math and science problems.

He and his peers also shared ideas about current events and global issues from a broad range of perspectives, which helped to challenge and change their perceptions of society.

Jide Omekam, (MS)2 ’13 Those classroom experiences—combined with Saturday night parties with summer scholars from around the world, “an epic game of Spoons,” late nights of homework, and early morning meetings—created bonds that cannot be broken, even though Jide and many of his (MS)2 friends live hundreds, even thousands of miles apart.

“Different ethnically, similar financially, we had differences that could have drawn us apart, but instead, drew us closer than we anticipated,” says Jide. After comparing the atmosphere of every college he visited to his (MS)2 experience at Phillips Academy, Jide decided on Brown University, which he will attend in the fall.

Reyson Abreu New York, New York

Lashanda Harbin Chicago, Illinois

Paul Aderemi Bronx, New York

Santino Harvey Window Rock, Arizona

Aeon Albert Second Mesa, New Mexico

Raegina Hill Cleveland, Ohio

Leysa Aquino Bronx, New York

Romanus Hutchins Chicago, Illinois

Jessica Barrientos Bronx, New York

Briona Keith Marietta, Georgia

Josue Bastida Chicago, Illinois

Acacia Leslie Louisville, Kentucky

Andrea Blanco Fort Worth, Texas

Raul Martinez Chicago, Illinois

Jocelyn Caballero New York, New York

Giovanni Morales Bronx, New York

Aliyah Chavez Bernalillo, New Mexico

Melany Morales Lawrence, Massachusetts

Shanika Clarke Bronx, New York

Jide Omekam Washington, D.C.

Brian Colindres Lawrence, Massachusetts

Shawn Pacheco Santo Domingo Pueblo, New Mexico

Micah Daniels Blanding, Utah Marjorie Delarosa Dorchester, Massachusetts Kwamae Delva Conley, Georgia Susana Esquivel Chicago, Illinois Paula Gonzalez Chicago, Illinois Pearl Gore Cameron, Arizona Dexter Griffin Memphis, Tennessee Guadalupe Guzman-Ruiz Chicago, Illinois

Gypsy Pete Window Rock, Arizona Kelly Rivera Washington, D.C. Johnny Sanchez Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico Jennifer Then Boston, Massachusetts Dominique Thomas Louisville, Kentucky Kenyata Venson Memphis, Tennessee Haley Willie San Felipe Pueblo, New Mexico

(MS)2 Advisory Council Nicholas Vantzelfde ’97, Chair Boston, Massachusetts Roy Adams, (MS)2 ’95 New York, New York Daveed Frazier, (MS)2 ’81 New York, New York Molly Keller ’89 Burlington, Wisconsin Louise Park MacMillan, P’04, ’05, ’08 Andover, Massachusetts David J. McGrath III, P’07, ’11 Andover, Massachusetts Donna Sanabria, (MS)2 ’87 White Plains, New York Joshua Sommer, SS’73 Menlo Park, California P = Parent of Phillips Academy alumni SS = Summer Session alumnus

In Memory Colleen Pelletier, (MS)2 administrative assistant since 2008, passed away in January following a long battle with cancer. She was just 32. During her five years at the Academy, she oversaw thousands of student and faculty applications and selflessly supported the (MS)2 director and the program’s important work. Colleen will be remembered for her ever-present smile, strength, and consistently positive attitude.

Helen “Skip” Eccles, former Phillips Academy faculty member, died in February at age 86. For more than three decades, she and husband Frank “Skip” Eccles ’43, PA faculty emeritus, teamed up on issues of equality of education and social justice and were strong advocates for outreach to Lawrence’s Hispanic community.

Donations in Helen’s memory may be made to Trustees of Phillips Academy, The Frank Eccles Scholarship Fund for (MS)2, 180 Main Street, Andover MA 01810.

Donors for Program Year 2013 We thank our generous donors* for making a positive difference in the lives of talented and deserving African American, Latino, and Native American high school students.

Foundations Highland Street Foundation Keller Family Foundation Stavros Niarchos Foundation Walter Alva Sherrill Memorial Trust Society for Propagating the Gospel Among the Indians and Others in North America

Individuals Donald B. & Elizabeth B. Abbott Roy P. Adams, (MS)2 ’95

David A. & Rachel K. Penner, P’86, ’88

Natalie C. Harvey ’97

Annie F. Lux Radecki ’98

Fredericka M. Heller ’63

Susan Fox Reepmeyer ’61

Tamara Jones Hicks ’81

John W. & Linda B. Riehl, P’85

Aloysius & Lillian Hobausz, P’79, GP’13

Karen L. Humphries Sallick ’83, P’14, ’17

Sophia & Charles E. Holder, (MS)2 ’89

Estate of William L. Saltonstall ’45

Janell Holloway, (MS)2 ’08

Donna Sanabria, (MS)2 ’87 & Lewis Vande-Pallen

Nicole H. Johnson, (MS)2 ’90 Yovany Jerez, (MS)2 ’98

Elizabeth P. Allebach

N.L. & Margaret I. Joseph, P’00

Fernando R. Alonso

Tiffany D. Joseph ’00

Stanford & Carolyn Amstutz, P’86, ’88

Robert J. & Margaret I. Jurgen

Ismael A. Arjune ’95

Margaret Foster Keller ’89 & Jeffrey B. Keller

Tya M. Arthur, (MS)2 ’98

John M. Bilheimer ’63, P’92 Calvin W. Blackburn III, (MS)2 ’87 Gary G. Campbell ’73, P’06, ’09 Lalohni A. Campbell, (MS)2 ’90 Nydia E. Cardenas, (MS)2 ’03 Joseph & Patricia Carrolo, P’11, ’13 Derrick M. Carty, (MS)2 ’86

180 Main Street Andover MA 01810-4161 978-749-4402 www.andover.edu/ms2

Galen R. McNemar Hamann ’95

Emeka N. Ajene, (MS)2 ’99

Margaret L. Benthall ’00

(MS)

Adebayo A. Owolewa, (MS)2 ’99

Bruce K. & Marsha H. Johnson, P’81, ’90, GP’08, ’10

Sharyn Bahn

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Randall W. Graves ’61

Garrett Kirk Jr. ’59 Mollie Lupe Lasater ’56 & Garland M. Lasater Jr. ’56, P’86, GP’17 Lorena Leon, (MS)2 ’01 Eleanor C. Lyons, P’78, ’81, ’83, ’89, GP’11, ’14 Louise P. & John H. MacMillan IV, P’04, ’05, ’08 Christopher J. Magnin ’05

Christina E. Chaplin ’00 M. Lynne C. Cox, P’86, ’88

Victoria R. Mathis, (MS)2 ’99

Lawrence H. & Marla Curtis, P’04, ’07, ’11, ’15

David J. McGrath III, P’07, ’11

Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Dean Jr. ’45, P’73, ’77, ’79, GP’05, ’10

David & Sandra Meldrum

Robert H. Farnham & Glorianne Demoulas, P’08 Lisa M. Foster ’84, P’12 Daveed D. Frazier, (MS)2 ’81 Joseph W. Goodman ’54

Donald W. & Britta S. McNemar ’61, P’95 Laura N. Mobisson ’92 Demond W. Moy, (MS) ’97 2

Nancy & Donald J. Mulvey ’50, P’84 Yizza I. Narvaez, (MS)2 ’01 Anne Gimm Naughton ’89 Beibhinn M. O’Donoghue ’99 William F. O’Shea ’45

Victoria A. Shannon, (MS)2 ’88 & Rohan Sahani T. Winston Shaw ’05 Andrei Shleifer & Nancy G. Zimmerman, P’15 Janice N. Skipper Konse & Lorna Skrivanos, P’15, ’17 Kay W. Smith Michael A. Smith, (MS)2 ’87

Michael J. Koehler ’94

Temba T. & Vuyelwa M. Maqubela, P’03, ’06, ’11

Patricia & George Edmonds, P’79, ’82

Rae & Edgar Schollmaier

Joshua W. Sommer & Sheilaugh R. Sebastian Cynthia & Jonathan Stableford ’63, P’89, ’92 Margot L. Stiles ’95 Oscar L. Tang ’56 Sylvia Thayer ’54 & Philip Zaeder, P’79, ’83, GP’17 Lyle Tsosie, (MS)2 ’97 Nicholas J. Vantzelfde ’97 Venus Velez-Vann, (MS)2 ’86 & Kayode T. Vann George W. & Patricia J. Wermers Michael P. Whalen & Shirley L. Zanton, P’04, ’06, ’11 Salena Whitfield, (MS)2 ’96 Edward G. Williams S.C. & Carolyn C. Winslow Joel B. Wittenberg & Mary Ann Ek, P’13 Damita C. Wray, (MS)2 ’85

*Donor list reflects gifts received from July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013. P = Parent of Phillips Academy alumni GP = Grandparent W = Widow