Twenty-six Boston Public Schools seniors are named Posse Scholars

BOSTON – The Posse Foundation, Inc., has named 26 members of the Boston Public Schools Class of 2009 as Posse Scholars. (See list attached.)

The students, representing 13 Boston public high schools, will receive full-tuition leadership merit scholarships to top-ranked liberal arts colleges.

“We are so proud of these young men and women,” said Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. “Through leadership and academic achievement, they have earned a unique opportunity to pursue higher education at some of the finest institutions in the nation.”

The scholars will begin a Pre-Collegiate Training Program this month.

The Posse Foundation identifies public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be overlooked by traditional college selection processes. Posse’s partner colleges and universities award Posse Scholars four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarships. The concept of a Posse works for both students and college campuses, and is rooted in the belief that a small, diverse group of talented students—a Posse—carefully selected and trained, can serve as a catalyst for increased individual and community development.

Identified for their leadership ability and overall motivation to succeed, Posse Scholars head campus organizations, encourage dialogue and programs that foster an inclusive campus environment and achieve academic success. These Scholars graduate at a rate of 90 percent and make a visible difference on campus and throughout their professional careers. Posse has sites in Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C.

2009 Posse Scholars from Boston Public Schools

NOTE: Each student’s home neighborhood is in parentheses.

Another Course to College:
Mario Zepeda (Brighton), Denison University

Boston Arts Academy:
Elyas Harris (Dorchester), Bucknell University

Boston Latin Academy:
Adedotun Odewale (Dorchester), Bucknell University
Mahilet Oluma (Dorchester), Bucknell University
Stanthia Ryan (Mattapan), Hamilton College

Boston Latin School:
Gemma Falivene (Dorchester), Bucknell University
Elizabeth Ko (Dorchester), Centre College
Rebecca McCarthy (South Boston), Bucknell University
Cristhel Santillan (Hyde Park), Bryn Mawr College

Brighton High School:
Stephen Diaz (Hyde Park), Centre College
Alex Tisme (Hyde Park), Hamilton College

East Boston High School:
Abdulkadir Ali (East Boston), Denison University
Jonathan Avila (East Boston), Centre College
Lakiyra Williams (Roxbury), Bucknell University

The English High School:
Lisha Andrew (Dorchester), Bryn Mawr College

Fenway High School:
Jonathan Lebron (Roslindale), Union College

Health Careers Academy:
Elizabeth Centeio (Dorchester), Bryn Mawr College
Arielle Donelan (Mission Hill), Centre College
Victor Gonzalez (East Boston), Bucknell University
Joscelyn Harris (Dorchester), Denison University
Lillian Semedo (South Boston), Centre College

O’Bryant School of Math & Science:
Agnes Gakpo (Roxbury), Centre College
Henry Lee (Charlestown), Centre College

Media Communications Technology High School:
Ronald Germán (South Boston), Hamilton College

Snowden International School:
Jermaine Ellis (Mission Hill), Denison University

TechBoston Academy:
Samaria Austin (Roxbury), Centre College