REACH Prep will celebrate its faculty and its 16th class of Prep Academy students at The REACH Prep Annual Benefit Luncheon on April 11 at the Greenwich Hyatt, Old Greenwich, CT. Keynote speaker Bonnie St. John, a Rhodes Scholar, economic advisor to the Clinton administration and silver-medal winning Paralympian is expected to address a crowd of 600, including supporters, school administrators and over 100 REACH Prep Scholars.
Bonnie St. John has been called “one of the five most inspiring women in America.” Despite having her right leg amputated at age five, she became the first African-American ever to win Olympic medals in ski racing at the 1984 Paralympics in Innsbruck, Austria. In recognition of this historic achievement, Bonnie was honored at the White House by President George W. Bush as part of the Black History Month celebration. Bonnie is the author of five books including “Live Your Joy,” and a corporate consultant and leadership instructor.
Founded in 1994 and based in Stamford, CT, REACH Prep provides talented Black and Latino students from low to moderate income families with access to outstanding independent schools in Fairfield and Westchester Counties and the Bronx. Fourth grade students are admitted to Prep Academy, a 15-month academic enrichment program, through a competitive process. They attend the program during the summer following fourth grade, and on Saturdays during their fifth grade year. The goal of Prep Academy is to prepare students for the rigors of independent school, and to guide families through the independent school admissions process. Once admitted, students finish Prep Academy with a second summer session and then graduate to become REACH Prep Scholars. REACH Prep continues to provide a broad range of services to its Scholars, including tutoring and test preparation, summer enrichment opportunities, leadership training, and supplementary college counseling. Over the 16 year history of the organization, over 250 students have been placed in independent schools and over 98% are admitted to competitive four-year colleges.
The 24 students who make up the Prep Academy Class of 2011 are from Bridgeport, Danbury, Greenwich, Norwalk and Stamford in Connecticut and Elmsford, New Rochelle, Peekskill, Port Chester and Yonkers in New York.
The Luncheon provides critical funding for faculty salaries, school supplies, summer enrichment programs and field trips. Tickets to the Luncheon start at $175, and are available by calling 203-487-0750 or emailing pliang@reachprep.org.
