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Congratulations to Scholars and Young Scholars in the Class of 2016!
One hundred and four Scholars and Young Scholars celebrated their graduation from New Jersey SEEDS on Saturday, August 6 at Summit High School (view photos). Ninety-nine percent of these students were placed in selective schools across the country and will receive nearly $4.5 million from the schools they will attend this fall. Students will enroll in 71 schools across 15 states. (View a complete list of students and their schools.)
The afternoon's keynote remarks were given by SEEDS alumna Diamond McClintock (Young Scholars Program ‘04, The Pingry School ‘10, Dickinson College ’14). Guests also heard from student speakers Mark Johnson (Scholars Program ‘16, Moorestown Friends School ’20) and Maria Vieira (Young Scholars Program ’16, Peck School ‘18).
Before the presentation of diplomas, several students were honored for their accomplishments as part of the Scholars and Young Scholars Programs:
- Salma Abdurahman (Fryeburg Academy ’20) was named the Dwight L. Wilson Scholar for her personal and work ethics, honesty, integrity, and love of education while enrolled in the New Jersey SEEDS Scholars Program.
- Afran Ali (Groton School ’20) was named the Blair MacInnes Scholar for her outstanding academic achievement and dedication to education while enrolled in the New Jersey SEEDS Scholars Program.
- Katrina Bergen (Oak Knoll School ’20) was the recipient of The Angela Shankar Foundation Award which is presented to a student with a strong community focus.
- Courtney Crowder (Kent Place School ’23) was named the Alumni Scholar for representing the ideal SEEDS graduate while enrolled in one of SEEDS’ Scholars Programs.
- Natalia Jaramillo (Saddle River Day School ’20) was the recipient of the Cavalier Scholarship, which helps to underwrite tuition at independent schools for high-achieving students. The scholarship is generously awarded by the F&P DeRosa Memorial Fund.
- James Langan (Thacher School ’20) was named the Amy Ziebarth Scholar for his passion for social justice and strong commitment to SEEDS.
- Joel Moya (Brooks School ’20) was the recipient of this year’s Dean’s Award for his overall achievement, strong leadership, citizenship, exceptional academic qualities and great personality while enrolled in the Scholars Program.
- Maria Vieira (Peck School ’18) was named the Edward & Barbara Becker Scholar for her outstanding academic achievement and exemplary work while in the Young Scholars Program.
Congratulations to all of the Scholars and Young Scholars in the Class of 2016!
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Golf & Tennis Classic Rescheduled for September 12
After being rescheduled due to rain, the Golf & Tennis Classic will be held at Mountain Ridge Country Club on Monday, September 12. While the golf portion of the event is sold out, please consider reserving your spot to play tennis or join us for cocktails, an auction and/or dinner.
There are also other ways to support the Golf & Tennis Classic if you are unable to join us on September 12. SEEDS is once again pleased to partner with Tewksbury Fine Wine & Spirits to provide an easy way to make a significant difference for our scholars - by contributing to the SEEDS Wine Library. A variety of wines and price ranges are available. Please call 908.439.0007 or visit tewskburyfinewine.com to make your selection. Your donation will be delivered directly to NJ SEEDS and be included in the auction at the event.
Or, take a chance on this year's raffle. Buy one raffle ticket for $10, or a book of 10 for $100.
- 1st Prize: Yankees Tickets (4) with Parking Pass ($600 value)
- 2nd Prize: NY Giants Tickets (4) with Parking Pass ($580 value)
- 3rd Prize: Kate Spade Tote ($378 value)
The drawing will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 12. The winner need not be present.
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SEEDS Celebrates Alumni and Families at 2nd Annual Summer Spectacular
Thanks to the more than 260 alumni, parents, family members and friends who joined SEEDS at Forest Lodge for the 2nd Annual Summer Spectacular on August 21! It was a terrific day filled with old and new friends, great food and fun games and activities. Check out photos from the event.
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Young Scholars kicked off a five-week summer session in early July at Far Brook School. Nearly 50 students in the YSP Classes of 2016 and 2017 participated in math and English classes. Young Scholars in the Class of 2016 also took a history class, while the newest class of Young Scholars prepared for the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). Graduating Young Scholars also met with SEEDS' Guidance team for workshops on social media, self-identity and diversity. (View photos from this summer.)
In addition to their academic classes, students participated in several special events, including: a Parent Picnic, where family members toured Far Brook, held conferences with teachers and deans, and participated in activities and games with their students; a  CommunityTeamWorks Day with Goldman Sachs, where volunteers worked with Young Scholars on business plans and addressing issues facing our country; and a field trip to the American Museum of Natural History.
Young Scholars in the Class of 2017 resume academic classes with SEEDS this September and will prepare for class by attending an orientation on September 8. Young Scholars will also join Scholars at SEEDS' Annual Placement Fair on September 10. Held at Dwight-Englewood School, nearly 100 day, boarding and junior boarding schools will be in attendance to meet with students.
Scholars enrolled in the Summer Challenge Program (the first step of the Scholars Program) arrived on the campus of The Hill School (view photos). Scholars took classes in math, English and history; engaged in electives such as glee club and creative writing; participated in sports and other activities; and prepared for the selective schools admissions process. Scholars' parents visited students during the second week of the three-week session for SEEDS' Annual Parent Day to explore campus, meet their Scholars' teachers and learn more about the SEEDS experience.
Following the completion of the Summer Challenge Program - the final stage of the Scholars admissions process - 96 Scholars were invited to move forward to Scholars Academy Saturdays this fall. These students attended a three-day Leadership Retreat at Princeton-Blairstown Center earlier this month where they engaged in activities such as canoeing and kayaking, dam rappelling, climbing a rock wall and traversing bridges in trees. (Photos are now available.) Students will attend an orientation on  September 7 to prepare for Saturday classes, and attend the Annual Placement Fair with Young Scholars (details above) on September 10.
Scholars in the Class of 2016 completed their SEEDS journey with the Capstone Experience, a final three-week academic session at The Hill School. Students took classes in one of four tracks - Business and Finance, Culture and the Arts, Law and Society and STEM. With a focus in their core academic area, Scholars also had the opportunity to meet with professionals working in their field of interest. More than 20 volunteers spoke with Scholars about their professions and answered questions about their career paths. (View photos from this year's Capstone Experience.)
College Preparatory Program (CPP) Scholars and College Scholars completed their Summer Collegiate Experiences on the campus of Hobart and William Smith Colleges for a two- and three-week residency, respectively. Students spent their time in academic classes and refining their personal statements for college applications. College Scholars also toured the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester. (View photos of the Summer Collegiate Experiences.)
 Seniors in both programs are now preparing for Saturday Academy. CPP Scholars will have orientation on August 30 (Orange) and September 1 (Trenton) and College Scholars will have orientation on August 31. Both CPP Scholars and College Scholars will spend the first few weeks of their fall with SEEDS continuing college research, finalizing supplemental essays, and applying for college fly-in programs.
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New Jersey SEEDS' Guidance Department Helps Students Prepare for College Admissions
In mid-July, Guidance hosted a two-day College Tour for NJ SEEDS graduates in high school. Students visited Connecticut College, Fairfield University, Trinity  College and Wesleyan University. Guidance also hosted a six-week SAT class with Foley Prep. Students met for class twice a week at the NJ SEEDS office to prepare for fall tests.
In the fall, Guidance will host a financial aid workshop for seniors and their parents at the New Jersey SEEDS office. Stay tuned for additional information.
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Alumni Association Hosts Conversation on Networking and Negotiating
SEEDS' Alumni Association hosted a Conversation on Networking and Negotiating on Tuesday, July 26. The discussion was led by SEEDS Trustee Claire Santaniello (Managing  Director, Chief Administrative Officer at Pershing LLC, a BNY Mellon Company) and alumna Therisa George (Scholars '97, Dwight-Englewood School '01, Dartmouth College '05, Australis Partners) and resulted in terrific discussions. Thanks to all who came out!
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Thanks to SEEDS' Generous Foundation Donors for Their Continued Support!
New Jersey SEEDS received a generous gift of $15,000 from the Ralph M. Cestone Foundation in support of Orange High School students enrolled in SEEDS’ College Preparatory Program. The Scholars Program received a funding boost from the Norman and Bettina Roberts Foundation in the amount of $20,000, while our Young Scholars Program continued to be the very lucky beneficiary of the Jockey Hollow Foundation’s generosity when the Foundation increased its annual support to $10,000! Thank you to the trustees and staff of these wonderful foundations who help to ensure that SEEDS can continue to deliver transformational education opportunities to deserving students.
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