Earlier this month, the Earl Woods Scholar Program hosted its 9thannual High School Graduation Celebration luncheon at Chapman University. The luncheon, held in honor of our 10 graduating Orange County Earl Woods Scholars, brought together families, teachers, counselors and TGR staff for an afternoon filled with pride, laughter and even some tears of joy.
The luncheon celebration marks the beginning of a new journey for our scholars – all of whom will be attending college this fall and the majority of whom are the first in their families to attend college.
As they took to the podium to say a few words and offer their thanks, it was evident that every scholar was impacted by the Earl Woods Scholar Program and their fellow scholars.
For Sammy Mohammed, who will study computer science at Stanford University this fall, the Earl Woods Scholar Program represented something immeasurable.
“I don’t know where I would be without this community,” Sammy shared with guests. “This community was so valuable; it was valuable to know others who were the first in their families to attend college, who were underrepresented in higher education. I had a family beyond my own.”
Douglass Torres-Escobar, who will attend University of California, Santa Barbara this fall, shared a similar sentiment of gratitude for his new community.
“Being part of the Earl Woods Scholar Program has been an honor and a privilege,” said Douglass. “This whole process is more than just about getting into a school, but it’s about becoming part of a community.”
As our scholars impart on their journey to college, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them, these next four years, and thereafter, ready to lend our support, guidance and remind them that they are always part of the Earl Woods Scholar and TGR Foundation community.
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