Special to the American
The University of Missouri-St. Louis recently announced more than $3 million in scholarships for GEAR UP-ST. LOUIS students. The scholarships are made up of $2 million in institutional funds exclusive to students in the program and another $1.1 million in private donations.
GEAR UP is a six-year, $28-million federal initiative aimed at improving high school graduation rates and increasing college enrollment. The program is operated through the College of Education at UMSL, in cooperation with St. Louis Community College. The program receives non-federal matching funds, making it a $56 million initiative.
“GEAR UP is an outstanding program, with an amazing purpose,” said UMSL Chancellor Tom George. “By providing these scholarship funds, we are opening up even more doors and more opportunity for the students participating in this program.”
George said the scholarship funds will be available to students who graduate from the program and attend UMSL. However, eligible students must meet the university’s admission requirements.
There are currently 22 schools in 10 school districts participating in the program, which follows students from seventh grade through high school graduation. The 6,881 participating students are now in their sophomore year, and will graduate in May 2011. GEAR UP activities include educational and cultural field trips; tours of college campuses; career exploration; and rigorous academic preparation with an emphasis on literacy skills, mathematics, science, social studies and technology.
“GEAR UP empowers underrepresented students to take full advantage of higher education opportunities,” said Lynn Beckwith, the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor for Urban Education at UMSL and the principal investigator for GEAR UP-ST. LOUIS.
“Today, education beyond high school is the rule rather than the exception. And thanks to these scholarship funds, eligible students will now have the opportunity to expand upon their education.”
The participating school districts are: Bayless, Ferguson-Florissant, Hazelwood, Jennings, Normandy, Ritenour, Riverview Gardens, St. Louis Public Schools, University City and Wellston. In addition to activities for students, the program offers administrator and professional development workshops for school leaders and teachers.
Visit http://stlgearup.org for more information about GEAR UP-ST. LOUIS.
Free teen writing workshop
Young people between the ages of 12 and 17 years are invited to participate in the Corner Pocket Teen Writing Workshop, sponsored by Urban Artist Alliance for Child Development and the Missouri History Museum.
This series of free workshops will be held on Saturdays beginning February 14 at Missouri History Museum through May 9.
Enrollment is open and applications are available now. Please contact Alex Detrick via email, alex@mohistory.org, or by phone 314.361.8059 for an application.
Space is limited. Please indicate which workshop you plan to attend upon submitting your application for enrollment. See schedule below:
2/14 – Hip Hop Journalism 1 – 9 am – 4 pm
2/21 – Poetry 1 – 10 am – 1 pm
2/28 – Poetry 2 – 10 am – 1 pm
3/7 – Filmmaking, 9 am – 4 pm
3/28 – Fiction 1 – 10 am – 1 pm
4/4 – Fiction 2 – 10 am – 1 pm
4/11 – Fiction 3 – 10 am – 1 pm
4/18 – Fiction 4 – 10 am – 1 pm
4/25 – Hip Hop Journalism 2 – 10 am – 1 pm
5/2 – Creative non-fiction 1 – 10 am – 1 pm
5/9 – Creative non-fiction 2/2 – 10 am – 1 pm
