Kindergarten to College: LEAP Class of 2010 Graduates

07/05/10

Click here to see graduation photos.

Fifty-six seniors in the Class of 2010 became the sixth graduating class of LEAP Academy University Charter School on Wednesday, June 30th. 

Before an audience of over 300 guests, including Board of Trustees members, faculty, staff, parents, Rutgers Chancellor Wendell Pritchett, and New Jersey Attorney General Paula T. Dow, the graduating class received their diplomas and celebrated the end of their time at LEAP. 

The Class of 2010 marks the first class to complete its entire K-12 education at LEAP.  Twelve graduating seniors were a part of the school’s original 1997 kindergarten class, including co-salutatorian Melissa Edmond and valedictorian Gabriel Molina.

“There are those who let it happen and those who make it happen.  We’re all here today because we made it happen,” said Gabriel, who is taking his 4.3 GPA to Villanova University in the fall. 

Attorney General Dow, the special keynote speaker for the evening, was the first to congratulate Gabriel and the Class of 2010 and said it was “exciting and rewarding” for her to be a part of their graduation.  “I’ve never seen a class where every graduate is heading to college,” said Dow.  “When I look at these graduates, I see the future of our state—no, our country, and I am filled with optimism.”

Dow was introduced by LEAP founder and Board Chairperson Dr. Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, who said that LEAP’s success was unmatched in New Jersey.  “We have 100 percent graduation and college acceptance for the sixth straight year—no one in the state can beat that,” Santiago said, thanking the hundreds of parents and family members in attendance, including Board members Odessa Edmond and Hector Nieves, who each had a child graduate that night. 

LEAP’s Chief Learning Officer, Dr. Deanna Burney, extended her thanks to teachers and staff, and thanked the Class of 2010 for helping her decide to remain at LEAP for a long time to come.  “When I met you I knew this is where I belonged.  In you we see hope for the future, and you will be in our hearts, our prayers, souls and minds for a lifetime.” 

Melissa Edmond, one of LEAP’s two salutatorians this year, thanked Dr. Burney, Dr. Santiago and her mother Odessa Edmond for their guidance.  “These strong women have given us their love and support and helped us become the best graduating class—now we have to let everyone else know the same,” said Melissa, who will attend Howard University. 

In all, LEAP graduates amassed over $500,000 in scholarships and financial aid and during the ceremony several distinguished senior scholarships were highlighted, including the Akman Family Scholarship, Camden City Firefighters Scholarship, and NAACP Scholarship. 

Dr. Santiago also awarded four LEAP Academy Foundation Scholarships for students attending colleges outside Rutgers: Melissa Edmond (Howard Univ.), Jonathan Gonzalez (Univ. of Rochester), Gabriel Molina (Villanova Univ.), and José Napoleón (Temple Univ.). 

Dr. Santiago also awarded the 2010 Rutgers University Alfredo Santiago Scholarships to seven students heading to Rutgers: Shanice Anderson (Newark), Angel Cintron (Camden), Michael Espinosa (Camden), Joshua Figueroa (Camden), Jozian Molina (Camden), Steven Phillips (New Brunswick), and Xavier Rodriguez (Camden). 

In all, 14 LEAP graduates will be attending Rutgers and they were welcomed at the ceremony by Rutgers–Camden Chancellor Wendell Pritchett.  “In four years you will have a college degree,” he said, repeating it to emphasize the magnitude of that future accomplishment.  “Enjoy tonight, because tomorrow it’s back to work,” Pritchett added and then quipped, “For those who made the ‘right’ choice, I look forward to seeing you in the fall.”