Annual Report I Am Buffalo Prep!
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I am Buffalo Prep! Annual Report 2016 1 MISSION Buffalo Prep prepares promising economically disadvantaged underrepresented students for success in college preparatory high schools and higher education. Board of Directors 2015-2016 Officers Dennis R. Black, President Stephen Todd Harrington Jock Mitchell Group Vice President Vice President for University Life and Services Community Volunteer University at Buffalo Corporate Procurement M&T Bank Betsy Mitchell Joseph S. Brown, Esq., Vice President Community Volunteer Partner Kathie Keller Hodgson Russ LLP Treasurer Bobbie Billings Neal Keller Technology Corporation Community Volunteer Amy Clifton, Treasurer Chief Financial Officer Dr. Shelley McDonough Michael Newman LPCiminelli, Inc. Kimelberg Executive Vice President Adjunct Assistant Professor NOCO Energy Corp. Department of Sociology, Mary Ann Coulson, Secretary University at Buffalo Jeff Pappalardo Senior Vice President SVP Creative Director Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Sandra E. Langs Crowley Webb Director, Human Resources and Directors Professional Development Vivian Quinn, Esq. Phillips Lytle LLP Partner Dina Benderson Nixon Peabody Community Volunteer Christopher J. Lauricella Head of School Luis Rodriguez, Jr. The Park School of Buffalo Chief Executive Officer Richard Bryan Rodriguez Construction Group, Inc. Executive Director Michele Lee Education Collaborative of WNY Director Deborah Russell Patrick P. Lee Foundation Community Volunteer John Dandolph Chief Executive Officer Karen Baker Levin Helen Tederous Unifrax Nothnagle Real Estate First Niagara Bank Corporate Communications & Public Relations Francisco Guzman Dr. Yvonne S. Minor-Ragan President & CEO Architect / Engineer Marcia O’Neil-White Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency YMRagan Consulting, LLC Executive Director City of Buffalo Department of Buffalo Prep Public Works BUFFALO PREP IS A SPONSORED PROGRAM BUFFALO PREP • 18 ACHESON ANNEX • UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO BUFFALO • NEW YORK • 14214 • 716.829.3605 • www.buffaloprep.com 2 Message from the President and Executive Director The saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” And while there is truth to that aphorism, sometimes it takes more than that; sometimes it takes Buffalo Prep lending a hand to raise that child to his or her full potential. Too often, gifted, motivated and deserving young people run into roadblocks and disappointments when it comes to getting the education they deserve. Whether they are economically disadvantaged or come from underrepresented communities, a quality education can be a long shot. Unless, that is, they find someone to be an educational advocate for them and to give them an opportunity for success. For twenty-seven years, Buffalo Prep has been that advocate and has provided that opportunity for several thousand bright, driven Western New York kids. At Buffalo Prep we offer summer-long and school-year programs to students of increasing diversity in grades five through twelve who demonstrate academic ability and a desire to get a first-rate college preparatory education. We partner with public and private schools to nurture the whole student, benefitting not only them, but the community as a whole. Students who complete the Middle School Prep program, the High School Prep program and the College Prep program position themselves very well for university, often with generous scholarships. Twenty-seven years after our founding, we know that Buffalo Prep graduates are part of the community fabric of a reborn Buffalo region, giving back to the succeeding generations. What goes around, comes around. While we are proud of our successes, we know that it takes the whole Western New York village to keep Buffalo Prep healthy and strong. We count on educational institutions, educational professionals, corporate partners, volunteers, private donors and local communities for support. As you read this 2016 report, we hope you’ll be moved to join us as we echo the famous words of the Greek philosopher Diogenes, who said 2,500 years ago, “The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.” Mary Ann Coulson, Board President, 2016 Marcia O’Neil-White, Executive Director 3 A New Home on the Horizon for Buffalo Prep: Allen Hall The University at Buffalo is affirming its long-term commitment to Buffalo Prep with an incredible opportunity, offering Buffalo Prep a permanent home in Allen Hall on Main Street on the historic South Campus. Buffalo Prep’s new home at Allen Hall will welcome students and their families, be the anchor in an educational hub alongside innovative programs such as the Education Collaborative of WNY, and create a meeting place for faculty from its incredible partner schools throughout the region. Buffalo Prep has launched Prep for Tomorrow, a capital campaign chaired by Jock and Betsy Mitchell, to raise the $1.5 million needed for this exciting opportunity. Thank you to our generous donors! Doug C. Bean and Elisa M. Kreiner Education Collaborative of Michele and Chris Lee Dina and Todd Benderson WNY, Inc. M&T Family of Gifts Barbara W. Billings First Niagara Foundation Michael and Alexandra Montante Robin Bronstein and Kristan Jodyann Galvin and Carl and Wendy Montante, Jr. Andersen Robert J. Lane, Jr. Oriana and James Montani Richard and Judith Bryan Francisco and Elizabeth Guzman The John R. Oishei Foundation Brian and Kelly Cardamone Honorable Craig and Angela Alphonso and Marcia The Children’s Foundation of Hannah O’Neil-White Erie County Stephen and Lori Harrington Jeff and Jean Pappalardo Amy Clifton and Theodore James H. Cummings Foundation Vivian Quinn B.K. Walsh Jock and Betsy Mitchell Luis and Jessica Rodriguez, Jr. Community Foundation for Josephine Goodyear Foundation Deborah Russell and Peter Jones Greater Buffalo Joy Family Foundation Joseph and Nicole Saffire Mary Ann and David Coulson Kenneth and Linda Kahn Buford and Suzanne Sears Cullen Foundation Keller Technology Corporation James and Patti Stephen The D-B Trust Joseph and Sheila Kowalski University at Buffalo *List of supporters through October 2016* Contact [email protected] to see how you can get involved. 4 Buffalo Prep’s 25th Anniversary Initiative Thank you to the community leaders, foundations, philanthropists, and families who have participated as partners in the 25th Anniversary Initiative. Every gift will be utilized to reach more students in our community aspiring for greatness! Balbach Family Foundation Christopher and Kristin Lauricella Dennis and Leilani Black Louis. P. Ciminelli Family Foundation Gary and Willow Brost Margaret L. Wendt Foundation Joseph and Kim Brown M&T Bank Charitable Foundation Richard and Judith Bryan Jock and Betsy Mitchell Amy Clifton and Theodore B.K. Walsh Peter Neal and Bobbie Billings Neal David and Mary Ann Coulson Michael and Marcy Newman Scott and Karen Fischer Alphonso and Marcia O’Neil-White Eric and Sarah Genau Jeff and Jean Pappalardo Francisco and Elizabeth Guzman Vivian Quinn Stephen and Lori Harrington Philip Ragan and Dr. Yvonne Minor-Ragan Mickey and Muriel Howard, Ph.D. Luis and Jessica Rodriguez, Jr. Peter Jones and Deborah Russell Steven and Susan Roney Joy Family Foundation Buford and Suzanne Sears William and Anne Joyce The Seymour H. Knox Foundation Todd Levin and Karen Baker Levin Michael and Marsha Sullivan Kathie A. Keller Helen Tederous David and Dr. Shelley Kimelberg Watson Billings Family Foundation Sandra E. Langs Martha Welte Buffalo Prep Endowment Fund D-B Trust Louis P. Ciminelli Family Foundation Moog, Inc. Nicholas Patterson Perpetual Fund William Graebner and Dianne Bennett Watson Billings Family Foundation 5 Movin’ on up! The High School Prep Class of 2016 graduates will be attending Bishop Timon - St. Jude High School, Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, Buffalo Seminary, Canisius High School, Cardinal O’Hara High School, Christian Central Academy, City Honors School, The Gow School, Mount St. Mary Academy, Nardin Academy, Nichols School, The Park School of Buffalo, St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, St. Mary’s High School, and Tapestry Charter School. The Prep Seniors will be attending the following colleges and universities: American University Buffalo State College Canisius College Clark Atlanta University Erie Community College Florida Atlantic University Massachusetts Institute of Morehouse College Niagara University Technology New York University Princeton University Rochester Institute of Technology Roberts Wesleyan College Skidmore College St. Bonaventure University St. John Fisher College SUNY Delhi SUNY Geneseo University at Buffalo University of Hartford Xavier University Yale University Alumni Spotlight Buffalo Prep loves hearing from alumni and learning about their exciting accomplishments around the globe and right here in the community! Below, Sarah Washington (née Draper) tells us about her life since Buffalo Prep and graduating high school. Sarah began her journey with Buffalo Prep in seventh grade and is a 2004 High School Prep and 2008 Nichols School graduate. I attended Nichols School for high school and continued my studies at The State University of New York at Buffalo, where I earned my Bachelor in Arts degree cum laude in Political Science and African-American studies. After taking a year off from school, I continued my studies at SUNY Buffalo Law School. During my time in law school, I served as a student ambassador, President of the Black Law Student’s Association, a member of the Environmental Law Journal, a member of the Frederick Douglass Moot Court Board, a member of SUNY Buffalo