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Sixteen Success Academy Seniors Selected to be Rales Scholars

**For Immediate Release May 13, 2021**

Sam Chafee, 401-368-5124
[email protected]

 Ann Powell, 646-894-6407
[email protected] 

  

SIXTEEN SUCCESS ACADEMY SENIORS SELECTED TO BE RALES SCHOLARS

Scholarships Funded by the Rales Foundation Boost Equity and Access

 

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New York, NYSixteen seniors at Success Academy High School of the Liberal Arts have been selected as the first cohort of the SA Ruth and Norman Rales Scholars Program.

The Rales Foundation shares Success Academy’s belief that kids from all socioeconomic backgrounds can achieve excellence and reach their full potential when they have access to the life-changing opportunities of a superb education. Building on the collegiate preparation afforded them at SA, this program ensures that these 16 scholars, and the many more who will follow in their footsteps, will have the holistic resources to thrive, graduate, and go on to achieve extraordinary professional success. The Rales Foundation has committed to support up to 125 SA Rales Scholars over the next five years.

SA Rales Scholars will not only receive financial support — in the form of a $40,000 scholarship over four years of college — but also access to nationally recognized mentors, leadership programming, and career development made possible through a partnership with the Ron Brown Scholar Program. Established in 1996 in memory of the first African American U.S. Secretary of Commerce, the Ron Brown Scholar Program brings 25 years of experience in college access and persistence. 

“We’re delighted to join the Rales Foundation and Success Academy in helping these deserving young people reach their dreams,” said Ron Brown Scholar Program President and CEO Michael Mallory. “We look forward to helping SA scholars nurture their passion and talent, and cannot wait to see what they accomplish!”

“The Rales Foundation has created a program that truly supports equity,” said SA founder and CEO Eva Moskowitz, “putting the American dream squarely within reach of young adults who have worked hard and demonstrated the leadership, drive, and community service that our country needs.” 

“Our hope is that these young men and women will seize upon the opportunities available to them as they move through their lives to become great leaders who exemplify the virtues of hard work, humility, and kindness,” said Josh Rales, Rales Foundation President & Trustee. “As we congratulate the new SA Rales Scholars, we also hope that they will in turn find opportunities to give back, in keeping with the values of the Ron Brown Scholar Program and my parents, Ruth and Norman, who established the Rales Foundation.”

Through the partnership, Success Academy’s College Access and Persistence Office will also receive advisory support to build out the Rales Scholars Program, as well as access to Ron Brown’s exclusive online platform for college application assistance for all eligible SA high school students.

The inaugural cohort of SA Rales Scholars Program

  •     Lanae Brown — Brandeis University
  •     Autumn Clark — Howard University
  •     Linton Davis — Tufts University 
  •     Miyu Iinuma — Yale University
  •     Jada Jogie — University of Pennsylvania
  •     Channel Mateo — Boston University
  •     Kayla Montgomery — Columbia University
  •     Eve Ndoye — Oberlin College
  •     Sean Pena — Binghamton University
  •     Gabriela Reyes — Dickinson University
  •     Amanda Sanchez — Bowdoin College
  •     Stephanie Sarpong — Barnard College
  •     Prestina St. Louis — Rochester Institute of Technology
  •     Habiba Tawfiq — Northeastern University
  •     Zachary Woodley — Rice University
  •     Jason Zabre — University of Pennsylvania

As part of their commitment to the program, SA Rales Scholars will actively participate in SA alumni events as mentors, speakers, and leaders, offering guidance and inspiration to future younger students. This year’s class of SA Rales Scholars will attend some of the most selective colleges and universities in the country this fall. Their bios can be found here.

ABOUT THE NORMAN R. AND RUTH RALES FOUNDATION 

The Norman R. Rales and Ruth Rales Foundation is dedicated to supporting children and families facing hardship by creating opportunities for them to realize life’s potential. Norman and Ruth Rales began their lives under humble circumstances. Norman was raised in the Hebrew Orphan Asylum in Harlem during the Great Depression. The lessons he learned there nurtured a lifelong desire to assist others in need, while brightening the days of the many he touched. Ruth was raised in Pittsburgh by parents who had fled persecution in Eastern Europe. From an early age she was taught the value of hard work, generosity and creativity. Ruth and Norman married in 1948 and together they built a brilliant life filled with family, friends, community, work and giving to others. Unable to attend college themselves, Ruth and Norman believed deeply in the importance of an excellent education for all children, regardless of circumstance. Throughout their lives, they dedicated themselves to helping others in need. Their spirit of giving and values live on through the work of the Rales Foundation. 

ABOUT THE RON BROWN SCHOLAR PROGRAM 

The Ron Brown Scholar Fund is a 501(c)3 public charity. Named for the late Secretary of Commerce and inspired by his dedication to public service, the Ron Brown Scholar Program was established in 1996 to advance the collective impact of extraordinary service–minded African American leaders.  The value of the scholarship is far more than the $40,000.00 awarded for college; in addition to these funds, each Scholar has the opportunity to participate in leadership development activities, regional meetings and conferences, and receives mentoring. Since the Program was founded in 1996, more than $25 million has been raised to support students who have received generous scholarships to America’s finest colleges and universities. For more information on the Ron Brown Scholar Program, visit www.ronbrown.org.

ABOUT SUCCESS ACADEMY 

Founded in 2006, Success Academy Charter Schools are free public K-12 schools open to all children in the state through a random lottery. With 47 schools across Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens, Success Academy enrolls 20,000 students, primarily children of color from low-income households in disadvantaged neighborhoods: 74% receive free or reduced-price lunch, 94% are students of color, 16% have disabilities, and 8% are English language learners. In 2020, 100% of SA’s third and largest class of 99 graduating seniors were accepted to college, with 22% accepted to highly selective and 47% to selective institutions, with robust financial aid packages; 82% of the class will be the first in their families to attend college. For more information about Success Academy, visit successacademies.org.

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