Boys Hope Girls Hope Scholars Prepare For Collegiate Journey

ST. LOUIS - July 11, 2022 - PRLog -- Recently, scholars from Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis (BHGHSTL) attended the annual Boys Hope Girls Hope Collegiate Prep at Saint Louis University (SLU) with more than 80 of their peers. The Collegiate Prep is a long-standing, week-long capstone experience for rising college freshmen designed to prepare the scholars for their transition to post-secondary institutions.

"We believe that access to quality education, opportunity and a network of support changes everything for a young person," says Cassandra Sissom, BHGHSTL Executive Director. "Collegiate Prep builds on the year-round, holistic support we have provided to them locally to help them seamlessly transition to the next phase of their academic journey and set them up for success long term."

Collegiate Prep brings experts from across the country to train and discuss key topics that are relevant and interesting for rising first-year college students. This year, seminars were led by notable corporate partners, such as Intel®, World Wide Technology (WWT), Edward Jones, and Mastercard, as well as subject matter experts and influencers.

Among the highlights this year were the Intel® Future Skills Workshop and the Edward Jones Networking Night. Intel® led activities in collaboration with St. Louis-based technology services provider WWT, a longtime corporate partner of Boys Hope Girls Hope. The session featured interactive lessons focused on problem-solving and discovery in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). The program's unique model is designed to help students build their empathy and communication skills – skills essential to their continued success as they embark on this next chapter at college. Roughly 35% of Boys Hope Girls Hope scholars will be pursuing a STEAM major in the fall. During the Edward Jones Networking Night, the young people practiced their networking skills while learning about careers from a diverse group of professionals.

BHGHSTL not only prepares scholars for college through on-going programming and unique enrichment opportunities like Collegiate Prep, but BHGHSTL alumni also have access to networking, mentoring, career assistance, and service and leadership opportunities to help them continue to succeed as they progress through college.

This critical, on-going support has a demonstrated impact on students. 100% of BHGH scholars graduate from high school and, for the past five years, 99% of graduating high school seniors have gone on to college. Over the past ten years, the annual college persistence rate of BHGH collegians has remained steady at over 90%.

Karl, a recent DeSmet Jesuit High School graduate, said, "It was cool to get a look at what it will be like to live in a dorm and talking with recent college graduates to find out what college life is really like. I think their insight will make the transition easier."

For more information, visit bhghstl.org.