November 6,2009
| General |
Hard-Working HISD Students Rewarded for Reaching Graduation: In 2004, 50 at-risk HISD students from Lee, Madison, Sterling, and Worthing High Schools made a pledge, promising Houston Mayor Bill White that they'd graduate—and those students have been rewarded by the Hashoo Foundation for keeping that promise and taking a big step toward creating a better life for themselves and their families.
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http://dept.houstonisd.org/connect/Friday_eNews/110609p.html
Hard-Working HISD Students Rewarded for Reaching Graduation
Teens who kept their pledge to graduate receive "graduation packages” from Hashoo
November 04, 2009
Lee High School graduate Cynthia Garcia accepts a graduation package from Hashoo Foundation USA Executive Director Cristal Montañéz Baylor on October 14, 2009. Garcia is now attending the University of Houston.
In 2004, 50 at-risk HISD students from Robert E. Lee, James Madison, Ross Sterling, and Evan Worthing High Schools made a pledge, promising Houston Mayor Bill White that they’d graduate—and those students have been rewarded by the Hashoo Foundation for keeping that promise and taking a big step toward creating a better life for themselves and their families.
The Hashoo Foundation, USA joined forces with HISD and the City of Houston WeCAN Digital Inclusion Initiative to recognize the achievements of 50 students who signed the “YES, Mayor White, I Will Complete High School” Commitment Card in 2004, and who subsequently fulfilled their promise to graduate from high school in 2009.
A press conference recognizing the students and their accomplishments was held in early September at Ross Sterling High School, and Houston Mayor Bill White, HISD Interim Chief Academic Officer Thelma Garza, and Hashoo Foundation USA Executive Director Cristal Montañéz Baylor attended the celebration.
Now, the students are receiving "graduation packages" to help create a positive study environment in their homes or college dorm rooms. Each includes the following gently used and new items: a refurbished computer, desk, desk lamp, and chair; a twin-size bed, pillows, two sets of sheets, a blanket, a mattress pad, a dust ruffle and comforter; a night stand and chest of drawers; a Good Bear of the World, a Tsunamika doll, and a T-shirt.
“The award package aims to serve as a visual representation of the students’ success, and to support the families’ involvement in their students’ education and reinforce the students’ commitment to growing academically and socially,” said Hashoo Foundation USA Executive Director Cristal Montañéz Baylor.
The joint project is also a “Commitment to Action” of the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative Education Portfolio. It was made possible thanks to the passion and collaboration of the following local organizations, working together to recognize students’ success and provide encouragement and opportunities for a better future: Tech Corps Texas, University of St. Thomas MicroCredit Program (UST MCP), ORR Textiles Company, Ramada Inn (Will Clayton Parkway), Star Furniture, Wal-Mart, Greater Houston Women Chamber of Commerce (GHWCC), The Divas, Leela Krishnamurthy & friends, and the Montañéz Baylor Foundation.
Students and their families will be connected to the resources and services available to them through United Way THRIVE, Furniture Bank, Dress for Success, and ACCION Texas to ensure that they have all the support they need to realize their full potential. One such opportunity exists with the University of St. Thomas MicroCredit Program, whose students have committed to raising the necessary funds to offer a low-interest micro-credit loan to one of the 50 graduating students to support his/her education expenses at a community college in the Houston area.
The Hashoo Foundation USA, which previously has concentrated on programs in Pakistan, presented $25,000 in October to Mayor Bill White, to support the City of Houston and HISD’s efforts to get students back in school and keep them there.
“It was so nice to be rewarded for making a commitment,” said one recent graduate. “Now, every time I see this stuff, I’m going to work even harder.”
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