Published On: November 21st, 2019By

21 Students Chosen for College Prep Program

Twenty-one Aldine ISD juniors were recently selected to participate in the 2021 Aldine ISD EMERGE Fellows cohort. Students participating in the program will receive SAT preparation, attend college admission and financial aid workshops, receive assistance with college applications, one-on-one mentoring and visit colleges and universities during summer tours. The partnership between EMERGE and Aldine ISD will increase acceptance into some of the top competitive colleges and universities in the United States. 

“I am excited to start applying to Ivy League schools,” Anna De La Cuesta, Victory Early College High School junior, said. “I’m also looking forward to discovering which universities are the best fit for me.” 

Aldine ISD’s first EMERGE cohort includes 21 juniors – one from Aldine High School, six from Blanson CTE High School, four from Davis High School, five from Nimitz High School and five from Victory Early College High School. 

The program focuses on giving first-generation college students more opportunities and exposure to selective colleges and universities across the nation. Each student was selected through an application and interview process. The program will serve five schools this school year and will expand to additional Aldine ISD high schools next school year. 

In December, the EMERGE students will participate in a day-long retreat that will focus on identifying personal values. The retreat will also allow time for the students to learn more about themselves and build a community within the EMERGE Village.

During the spring semester the junior students will focus on four different pillars.

  1. The students will meet with their cohort bi-weekly to increase college knowledge and prepare for competitive college applications.
  2. TestMasters SAT Prep will offer the students SAT preparation classes at no additional cost.
  3. DiscoverU will pair students with engaging summer learning opportunities locally, regionally, nationally, and even internationally.
  4. In June, students will have an opportunity to embark on a week-long EMERGE college tour. Each student will get a chance to experience up to six different colleges or universities. Students will stay at a host college and take day trips to visit other nearby colleges, giving them first-hand exposure to various colleges. Previous trips have been to the DC/Maryland area, New York City/Connecticut area, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago and Southern California. 

Interested in finding out more about EMERGE?

Sophomore recruitment will begin after Thanksgiving break. All interested 10th-grade students should reach out to their campus college counselor to learn about upcoming info sessions. Recruitment will take place at the following campuses: Blanson CTE High School, Carver High School, Davis High School, MacArthur High School, Nimitz High School, and Victory Early College. 

Congratulations to the 2021 EMERGE Fellows! 

Name Campus
Darlyn Enamorado Aldine High School
Stephanie Montoya Blanson CTE High School
Rafael Turrubiartes Blanson CTE High School
Miguel Chacon Blanson CTE High School
Isaias Gallegos Blanson CTE High School
Jaydon Johnson Blanson CTE High School
Christian Berryman Blanson CTE High School
Alexis Flores Davis High School
Christian Osorio Davis High School
Jimia Watson Davis High School
Mojolaoluwa Fagade Davis High School
Heather Omoruyi Nimitz High School
Minh Le Nimitz High School
Alondra Campos Nimitz High School
Alan Do Nimitz High School
Leanne Duckett Nimitz High School
Hannah Omoruyi Victory Early College High School
Jocelyn Goodman Victory Early College High School
Anna De La Cuesta Victory Early College High School
Bryanna McClain Victory Early College High School
Lizbeth Munoz Victory Early College High School

About the Author: Valonia Walker, APR

Senior Communications Specialist