Tag Archives: Tag: Graduation

Honors Bestowed on Graduating NDWH Shepherds Students

| May 25, 2018

Shepherds students from Notre Dame of West Haven will graduate this Sunday. In advance of the ceremony, an Honors Convocation was held in the Collins Auditorium on Thursday 5/17/18. Several of the graduating Shepherds seniors received honors at the event.

•Reuben Clarke received The Robert T. Scheithe ’95 Award as well as recognition by the National Honor Society. Reuben’s mentors are Celia Pinzi and Mark Healey.
•Ryan Haas received The President’s (Trump) Award for Educational Achievement. Ryan’s mentors are Lucy and Mike Abbott.
•Ernie Santiago was recognized by the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society and the TriM Music Honor Society. Ernie’s mentor is Ruby Melton.

Congratulations to these young men for all of their accomplishments. We wish you all the best as you transition to college.

Eleven Shepherds Students Honored at Kolbe Brunch

| May 14, 2018

Shepherds, in conjunction with Kolbe Cathedral High School, held its annual brunch at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield on Saturday, May 12. The event brings together current Shepherds students enrolled at the school, their mentors, family and staff from both organizations.

The accomplishments of graduating seniors are celebrated. Graduates and their mentors are given the chance to speak publicly about their time at Kolbe and how the Shepherds program impacted their high school experience.

Kolbe alumna and current mentor Carolyn Vermont ’78, was the keynote speaker. A recipient of both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Fairfield University, Ms. Vermont is the proud mother of two, a motivational speaker, education and leadership consultant and a tireless community advocate. She volunteers for ten civic organizations including Shepherds and was invited as a Changemaker to the 2016 White House United States of Women Summit in 2016. She has received numerous awards for her service and is currently running for State Senator in the 23rd Senatorial District covering parts of Bridgeport and Stratford.

Ms. Vermont encouraged the students to continue the legacy of community service that they have begun during their time at Kolbe. She reflected on the way her Kolbe Catholic education as well as her Jesuit education at Fairfield University, instilled a lifelong passion for giving back to the community. Her infectious smile, enthusiasm and her pride in mentee Trinity Bravo, warmed the room on that grey Saturday.

Graduates include: Dudjanceslyta Anty, Nina-Simone Barrow, Trinity Bravo, Zavar Graham, Alexander Cole Grant, Cherish Johnson, Shalymar Morales, Ugonna Onyekachiuzoamaka, Alejandro Serrano, Tatiana Thompson and Mayra Vargas. For more pictures, check out our album on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ShepherdsMentors/

Getting Ready to Celebrate 20 Years of Changing Lives!

| May 4, 2018

In preparation for our 20th Anniversary celebration in October, Shepherds is working with Westport ad agency wsaa and Greenwich videographer Gus Cantavero to videotape interviews with mentors, students and alumni. The team was on site at both Kolbe Cathedral and Notre Dame this week speaking to a number of people whose lives have been changed through their involvement with Shepherds. Can’t wait to see the finished product at the 20th Anniversary Dinner on October 11th at Longshore in Westport!

Notre Dame Alumni Host Marc T. Little, ND ’83, USC ’87, USC Law ’94

| April 26, 2018

Notre Dame Alumnus Marc T. Little returned to campus last night as a special guest at the school’s annual alumni reception and Shepherds End-of-Year Dinner. A 1983 graduate, Mr. Little was raised in Connecticut by his mother, Antoinette Hart. His father, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Floyd Little, lived out west. Following his graduation, Mr. Little attended USC to study broadcast journalism and get to know his father better – goals he happily achieved.

A near-fatal brush with violence at 22 shaped his future in unexpected ways. He was robbed at gunpoint by an 18 year old gang member, shot and left bleeding on an LA street. He lost his leg as a result and developed complications related to profound blood loss. Following his recovery, he attended USC’s Gould School of Law and received his Juris Doctorate in 1994.

Mr. Little has spent his professional career practicing entertainment law in LA and has continued studying his Christian faith at Fuller Seminary. Since that summer day in 1987 when he nearly lost his life, he has embraced life and become a community builder, church administrator, pastor, blogger and author. He teaches others how to say “yes” to life. He works on various boards and commissions focusing on family preservation and poverty and is a founding board member for Crown Preparatory Academy, a Los Angeles inner city-based charter middle school.

His book, The Prodigal Republican, “chronicles the historic relationship between blacks, Democrats, and Republicans. It is based on three topics: voting your values, family leadership, and Christian faith, all geared toward strengthening the American family”. The book is available on Amazon.

To learn more about Marc. T Little, please visit http://theprodigalrepublican.com/MarcTLittle/About_Marc.html.

Shepherds Needs Your Support March 1st!

| February 28, 2018

Bridgeport, CT

Since 1998, non-profit Shepherds has provided tuition support and mentors to more than 219 young men & women entering college-preparatory high schools in the greater Bridgeport and New Haven areas. Shepherds’ graduation rate is 100%; most students move on to 2 and 4-year college programs. Today, 37 young men and 24 young women are working towards their high school diplomas at Kolbe Cathedral High School in Bridgeport and Notre Dame High School in West Haven. We need mentors and financial support for 20 new students in fall 2018.

1 Go to FCGives.org
2 Donate $20 (or more) to celebrate 20 years to Shepherds
3 Spread the word! Post, tweet, share!
#FairfieldCountyGives
Your donation can help us win over $20,000 in prizes!

https://patch.com/connecticut/westport/shepherds-needs-your-support-march-1st

Bravo, Trinity!

| February 13, 2018

Congratulations to the amazing Trinity Bravo, Kolbe Cathedral ’18. Trinity, who received a full scholarship to Bryant University, is News 12’s Scholar-Athlete of the week. Trinity is mentored by the equally amazing Carolyn Vermont. Click on the link below to see News 12 coverage of Trinity’s accomplishments on and off the court.

Trinity Bravo KC ’18 is News 12 Scholar Athlete

Shepherds Has Been Changing Students’ Lives for 20 Years

| January 25, 2018

January is National Mentoring Month – a month dedicated to promoting youth mentorship in the United States. This year, Bridgeport-based Shepherds marks its 20th year of providing tuition support and adult mentors to underserved, at-risk high school students in the greater Bridgeport and New Haven areas.

Connecticut is a state known for excellent schools however high school graduation rates in many of our inner city schools is as low as 55%. Students often lack the academic preparation necessary to succeed in high school and beyond. Without support and attention, many students struggle to graduate.

Since 1998, non-profit Shepherds has provided tuition support and mentors to more than 219 young men & women entering college-preparatory high schools in the greater Bridgeport and New Haven areas. Shepherds’ graduation rate is 100%; most students move on to 2 and 4-year college programs. Today, 37 young men and 24 young women are working towards their high school diplomas at Kolbe Cathedral High School in Bridgeport and Notre Dame High School in West Haven.

Mentors make a monthly commitment of time and energy to an individual student and receive professional training and extensive staff support throughout their four-years of mentoring. Sponsors make a financial commitment and receive the reward of knowing they are making a sound investment in the life of an inner-city young person.

Shepherds needs mentors for twenty students entering high school in fall, 2018. If you want to change a young person’s life please contact Dan McAuliffe, Shepherds’ Executive Director, by April 15th at dmcauliffe@shepherdsmentors.org . For more information on the great work Shepherds does, visit www.shepherdsmentors.org.

Shepherds Celebrates Kolbe Cathedral HS Class of 2017

| June 1, 2017

This year, fifteen Shepherds students enrolled at Kolbe Cathedral HS in Bridgeport, received their diplomas. Executive Director, Dan McAuliffe, several Board Members, students, family, mentors and faculty celebrated the accomplishments of the 9 young women and 8 young men at their annual graduation brunch at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield. This year’s graduates include:

  • Iyanna Cobb who will attend Central CT State University to study Clinical Sociology.
  • Kay’la Cook who will attend Housatonic Community College to study Business.
  • Christine Davis who will study Nursing at Mt. St. Vincent’s College in NYC.
  • Hassanah Dixon who will attend Southern CT State University to study Physical Therapy.
  • Kirk Fils who will study Computer Science at Gateway Community College.
  • Steve Guaman who will study History at UCONN Stamford.
  • Jastin Machado who will also attend UCONN Stamford to study Biomedical Engineering.
  • Sabrina Miranda who plans to attend Southern CT State University this fall.
  • Danielle Ashley Pearson who will pursue Radiology at Gateway Community College.
  • Abimelett Rodriguez who will attend Norwalk Community College and focus on Business.
  • Ronald Rodriguez who will study Science at Fairfield University.
  • Sheina Rosa who will pursue a degree in Accounting at Barry University in FLA.
  • Kerry Thomas who will study Psychology at Central CT State University.
  • Jonathan Vasquez who will attend Embry Riddle University in FLA to study Aeronautics.
  • Keyira Whittingham who plans to study Biology, and ultimately Medicine, at The University of New Haven.

Shepherds Celebrates Eight Graduates in Notre Dame’s Class of 2017

| May 31, 2017

Eight young men graduated from Notre Dame High School on May 28th, 2017. All are planning on pursuing higher education after graduation.

  • Ja’Sean Johnson-Henry participated in track, Minority Student Union and Team ND during high school. He received 1st Honors and worked at an extended student internship at New Haven City Hall. He was accepted to many colleges and will attend this fall. He was mentored by Cheryl & Mark Milano.
  • Misael Lisboa participated in track and the Environmental Awareness Club. Mentored by Jonathan Kearney, Misael was accepted to several universities and wants to pursue a career in music production.
  • Brent Raymond participated in track and Minority Student Union while maintaining First and Second Honors during high school and working part-time. He will study  economics and real estate at SCSU or UConn this fall. Brent was mentored by Joe Valentino.
  • Jalanni White helped lead the basketball team, earning numerous sports accolades. He received scholarships to Canisius, Quinnipiac, University of Maine, UNH and St. Peters and is debating which basketball program and college is the best fit. Jalanni was mentored by Mike DeChello.
  • Cameron Barnes participated in football and track and field and received a service award. He received Presidential and Dean Scholarships from UNH and will be working toward a degree in chemical engineering. He was mentored by Rich Coyle.
  • Angel Chavez is a respected leader at NDHS, captaining both the cross country and track teams as well as leading numerous clubs. He received Scholar Athlete, National Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society awards and completed a number of service projects. He will be attending College of the Holy Cross and working toward a medical degree. He was also mentored by Rich Coyle.
  • Jerrell Dorsey served as the president of the student council as was involved in band and a number of other clubs. He was captain of the basketball team and received a number of academic and music awards and scholarships. Jerrell will be attending Babson College in the fall. Jerrell was mentored by Mike Donahue.
  • Antonio Ferro participated in a number of sports and clubs. He is currently an EMT student at Yale and plans to go Paramedic school and eventually on to the Fire Academy. He has been accepted at UNH and Mount St. Vincent where he received a president’s scholarship. He was mentored by George McWeeney.