Armstrong Students Graduate From College Possible

Nearly 1,200 low-income students celebrated their achievements at the annual College Possible™ Twin Cities Year-End Graduation Celebration in May at Ted Mann Hall on the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities campus.

Out of those thousands, 33 were from and included: Samantha Boline, Sephra Clark, Musu Coleman, Tuwor Fallah, Jordan Fritz, Anthony Graham, Erna Hammond, Chris Jimmy, James Jones, Dustlynn Kaine, Joshua Khan, Kiandra Krause, Norma Martinez, Sheila Meh, Jamar Mork, Robert Myers, Karina Onumah, Carlos Perez-Lopez, Brenda Phengsomphou, Rene "Frank" Robles, Janel Sanders-Collins, Osama Sonbol, Jake Spolar, Jordan Sussman, Amanda Tate, Gbatelee "Lovetee" Taylor, Samantha Vang, Jennifer Vang, Daniel Wood, Elin Xiong, Andy Yang, Abigail Yang and Nancy Yang.

Seniors at the ceremony successfully completed College Possible’s free two-year college access program. They worked with an AmeriCorps coach to complete 320 hours of intensive curriculum over the course of two years ranging from ACT practice tests to campus visits, with the final goal of earning admission to college, securing financial aid and choosing a school that’s a good fit.

“My coach has been really patient and understanding,” said Robbinsdale Armstrong High School senior James Joyce Jones III. “That really helped me get into college.”

Of the 668 Twin Cities seniors in the program, 97 percent have already earned admission to at least one college. Many College Possible students will be the first in their families to attend college, making this celebration especially joyous.

“Graduation gives us a chance to applaud our students for the truly remarkable accomplishments they have achieved and the hard work they have invested in their education,” said Sara Dziuk, College Possible Twin Cities Executive Director. “It is also an opportunity to thank our donors, supporters, school partners and AmeriCorps coaches for the tireless contributions they have made to our students. Together, we are helping our students make their dreams of college come true.” 

Students reflected on their hard work, their strong bond with coaches and the rewards that came after months of preparing for the ACT exam and completing college applications. Low-income students across the country earn a college degree at one tenth the rate of their wealthier peers. The energy and excitement on Saturday showed that College Possible students are eager to change that.

(Information provided by a College Possible press release.)