Torch Scholars Program

Finally...

Well, I have finally found the time to begin blogging on the Torch Blog! I have been busy with classes, work, and community service since the semester began, so I havent been able to post. It's hard to believe that I am already done with my first semester of college. It seems like just yesterday I was struggling with the long and difficult days of the Torch Summer Immersion Program. In the comming blogs I plan on talking about my experiences as a first generation college student, a Torch Scholar, with the mentor that Torch got for me, and my academic progress. I look forward to posting my next blog soon, but for now, I have to do some studying!

Sincerely,

Shaun Hamilton
 

Torch Summer

My name is Kaysha Bennett and I am a part of the fourth class of Torch Scholars. When I received the call telling me that I had made it through all of the interviews and was accepted to Northeastern University, I was very excited.  My mom was in the living room
  yelling “thank you Jesus” as I jumped up and down on the phone.

  Once accepted I had to get ready for the Summer Immersion Program. My family and I drove from Rochester, NY to Boston, MA in a car full of papers, school supplies and dorm room necessities. I had packed everything that I owned and brought it all with me to college. Moving in to Speare Hall, there were so many new faces that I had never seen before, and cameras that were going off all day. We ate a barbecued meal, introduced ourselves, and met directors, deans and older Torch Scholars. The day was very long; I said goodbye to my family and was now on my own, or so I thought. That night we were all taken into the room of our Torch “mom” (she’s was really a rising sophomore and a part of the T3 class), and that is where we all came together as a class and got to know each other better. From then on her room became the place to be whenever we didn’t have homework to do (that was seldom). Oh Yeah, we took three classes over the summer to get us prepared for college, it was not all fun and games. We had homework every night and a quiz every week along with papers and tests. Everyone complained all summer about the work, but now we are singing a different tune. It really did help us get adjusted to the college life so once we were officially college students we did not struggle like we did in the beginning of the summer. Thinking about our summer makes me realize how much fun we had together as a class and how close we all grew to each other. Now that we are all freshmen in college we have separated out into our majors, clubs and different social activities, but when we all get together it is just like the summer all over again. And that is why I am glad to be a Torch scholar.

MLK Day of Service & Leadership 2010

Torch Scholars from all classes joined with Boston Scholars, Ujima Scholars and Trustee Scholars to give back to the community of Boston and reflect on the teachings of Dr. King. One of many scholars' favorite events of the year, the King Day of Leadership & Service is an opportunity to make connections in community organizations and bond as a Torch group. Despite an early wake-up call and sleet/snow, Scholars turned out for a day of service with the Boston Organization, Spontaneous Celebrations, located in Jamaica Plain. Everyone pitched in to paint, clean, and organize -- and laughed a lot while working! Today is just one day that our scholars take a break from classes to give back to the community in addition to over 100 hours each scholar contributes each year. It's an important opportunity to gather as a group and do some good! Great job, everyone!
 

Countdown to Torch Nomination Deadline

We are eagerly anticipating the nominations of high school seniors from across the country for our fifth class of the Torch Scholars Program. This Friday, January 15, marks the final day that a teacher, counselor or community member can nominate a student for the Torch Scholars Program. So far, we have received just over 500 nominations, which is the largest number of nominations received for the Program in its four-year history! We are beginning to read applications and nominations and are impressed by the students' stories of resilience, persistance, and motivation. We count on our nominators to give the Torch Selection Committee a personal perspective of their students, and we appreciate the time and energy that goes into writing a nomination (or nominations!) for the Torch Scholars Program. As Director of the Torch Scholars Program, I love this time of year because I get to meet so many talented, creative, and courageous students through thoughtful college essays, applications, and nominations. Our Torch Selection Committee will be busy over the next month or so as we engage in a rigorous selection process to build Torch Class 5. Check the Torch blog frequently for updates on the selection process as well as entries from current Torch Scholars. I know that senior year at this time is often stressful for many students, but remember to push forward and do your best to get to your ultimate goals of graduation and college!

- Jana McCarthy, Director, Torch Scholars Program