Commentary: Perseverance, dedication propel Guadalupe Center students into college
Perseverance, intelligence and a quest to succeed define the Class of 2018 from Guadalupe Center’s Tutor Corps program, a diverse group of Immokalee High School seniors who share one common element — they’re all going to college.
And they’re doing so with scholarships footing much of their tuition cost.
“These 29 students have overcome so many hardships — poverty, language barriers, lack of stability at home. It is inspiring to know they’re all graduating and moving on to college,” said Linda Yost, president of Guadalupe Center’s board of trustees. “They are shining examples of what it means to persevere, and I’m confident they have the skills, motivation and fortitude to be successful in college and beyond.”
Tutor Corps is a college preparatory program that offers scholarship money as well as a wage for tutoring elementary school students in Guadalupe Center’s After-School and Summer Enrichment Program. Tutor Corps participants must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average, and each is matched with an adult mentor to offer guidance and support.
Guadalupe Center held a formal recognition ceremony and dinner for Tutor Corps students on April 17 at Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples. The teens and their parents joined mentors, donors and Guadalupe Center staff in signaling the start of Phase II in their lives.
“Our mission is to break the cycle of poverty through education for the children of Immokalee, and federal data show a clear correlation between education and career earnings,” Yost said.
At the dinner, Bob Spano, vice president of programs, announced that the 29 seniors have earned an estimated $2.6 million in scholarships and grants, making the dream of attending college a reality for each graduate.
“Education promotes equality,” Spano said. “It is not just for a privileged few; it can be for everyone. Our parents reinforce this with their children and provided the direction so they could qualify for Tutor Corps. Our mentors reinforce this by providing an added layer of support, guidance and time. Our donors reinforce this by investing in the future of our students. Our staff reinforce this by strengthening the academic foundation of each of our students.
“This is why our students are able to break the cycle of poverty and attend universities throughout the United States.”
Senior Marie Claire Andris delivered the keynote address, eloquently describing the hardships resulting from being taken by her father at age 1, then essentially dumped back into her mother’s arms at age 9 as he stated, “You can have her. I don’t want her anymore.”
The incident, coupled with watching her mother struggle to find work without a high school education, inspired Andris to set lofty goals. Guadalupe Center is helping her reach them.
“There are so many students who miss amazing chances that could better their lives, but many are not able to utilize these opportunities because their parents have to struggle to just put food on the table,” said Andris, who will be majoring in business administration at the University of South Florida. “Someday, I would like to help them, just as this program has helped me.”
At the ceremony, it was announced that 55 percent of Tutor Corps seniors already have earned college credits through dual enrollment classes, and students’ average weighted grade-point average at Immokalee High is 4.04.
The class of 2018 will be attending prestigious institutions like the University of Florida, University of Toledo, Florida State University, Michigan State University, Arcadia University, Union College and University of South Florida.
Guadalupe Center is a nonprofit organization with a mission of breaking the cycle of poverty through education for the children of Immokalee.
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