SIXTY MASSACHUSETTS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS GEAR UP FOR COLLEGE AT INAUGURAL SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

— Assumption College Hosts Event to Promote Early College Awareness

WORCESTER, MA, July 11, 2001 -Sixty students from GEAR UP schools across Massachusetts will come together at Assumption College in Worcester from July 26 through July 28 to participate in a first-ever Summer Leadership Conference. GEAR UP is designed to promote school-wide changes in the CommonwealthÕs neediest middle schools by boosting college awareness and preparation among students and parents, and improving professional development of teachers and school counselors. The conference is aimed at building skills that will enable students to return to the classroom this fall as effective leaders and spokespersons for early college awareness. The sixty participants are currently enrolled in GEAR UP schools throughout the Commonwealth and were chosen on the basis of their demonstrated leadership abilities.

The event will open with a keynote address by Reverend Daniel Reason, pastor of The Holy Temple in Roxbury, who has been presenting inspirational talks to youth groups internationally since 1975. Students will be treated to a humorous, energetic and enthusiastic presentation titled, "The FutureÕs So Bright You Gotta Wear Shades" by motivational speaker Kathleen Hassan of Milton. Both speakers are known for their ability to empower young people to take action in the direction of their dreams and goals. Students will also hear from a panel comprised of people who overcame significant challenges in order to achieve their dreams of a college education. During the evenings, the youngsters will engage in recreational and social activities with a focus on team building.

"The skills that students learn during the conference will not only help them prepare for college, but will also be useful to them throughout their lives," said Jo Corro, GEAR UP Program Director. "Statistics show that only 46% of students from low-income households enroll in college as compared to 77% of those from upper-income families. One long-term goal of GEAR UP is to break the chain of poverty by helping to prepare lower income children and their families for post-secondary education," she added.

At the conclusion of the conference, each team will create, film and "star in" their own public service announcements, which will be distributed to local access television stations in their communities. Each day, students will meet with their individual school teams to discuss the activities and messages that they want to share with their peers, parents and teachers during the upcoming school year.

A four-year private institution, Assumption College offers a pleasant, safe and inspirational setting for the event. According to President Thomas Plough, "Assumption has enjoyed almost 100 years of success in providing many first generation college students with a solid education. Those students have graduated and gone on to prove that our confidence in their character and talent was well placed. We think these young GEAR UP leaders will endorse our theme of ÔLearn. Achieve. Contribute.Õ as they continue to develop their own potential through this conference, in their schools and wherever they attend college."

For most youngsters, the conference represents their first visit to a college campus. They will obtain valuable first-hand knowledge of the college experience through guided tours led by Assumption students and by residing on campus throughout the event. Parents and family members are invited to attend the final day of the conference.

The ten participating GEAR UP schools are the Frank V. Thompson Middle School and Umana/Barnes Middle School, Boston; Holyoke Magnet School, Holyoke; James Leonard School and South Lawrence East School, Lawrence; McDonough City Magnet and McDonough Arts Magnet Schools, Lowell; Normandin Junior High School, New Bedford; John F. Kennedy Middle School and John J. Duggan Middle School, Springfield; and Worcester East Middle School, Worcester.

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a five year $15.9 million program funded by the United States Department of Education and coordinated through the Massachusetts Board of Higher EducationÕs Office of Student Financial Assistance. For more information, visit the GEAR UP website at www.gearup.mass.edu.