“29 high school students receive honors”
Seniors in drop-out prevention initiative awarded certificates
David McKay Wilson, The Journal News, May 11, 2002.

Twenty-nine high school seniors from six Westchester high schools were recognized yesterday for participating in a regional drop-out prevention program.

The ceremony at Purchase College, SUNY featured Westchester Board of Legislators Chairwoman Lois Bronz, D-Greenburgh, as guest speaker.

Participating in the Great Potential Program were students from Mount Vernon High School, New Rochelle High School, Sleepy Hollow High School, White Plains High School and Woodlands.

The program, which is financed by the state’s Liberty Partnerships, provides stipends to teachers and professional staff who provided extra help and counseling t students, said Great Potential Director Gregorian Rollins. It also sponsors a summer academy and performs community service projects.
In several schools, the program brings in college students who serve as tutors for the high school students.

“We really want to support these students, who have stuck with the program through all these years,” Rollins said. “A lot of them have developed strong leadership skills and most are going on to two-or four-year colleges.”
Recipients of completion certificates included Danita Owens, Shanay Smith and Monique Troupe from Mount Vernon High School; Anthony Armiento, John Borden, Anthony Rice, and Deelinda Vargas from New Rochelle High School; Crystal Barnett, Shanika Brinson, Mark Mood, Brenda Moralez, Claudia Rivas, Jose Rodriguez, and Heidy Sagastrados from Port Chester High School; Melvin Neris and Krystie Oliver from Sleepy Hollow High School Junete Auguste, Narado Burrell, Eric Dickey, Wilson Moronta, Jaquan Person, Kiana Sterling, Candice Watson, and Ahmad Warren form White Plains High School; Jamal Farmer, Malcolm Green, Niome Nelson, Sanchi Seward, and Taury Seward of Woodlands High School.