"Defying the Odds" for Students in Newburgh, NY

As we are getting ready for our eleventh year, we reflect on our seventh class of eighth graders to complete their middle school years at San Miguel Academy. The graduation of the Class of 2016 was a reminder of why we are involved with this community of underserved students in the high risk areas of Newburgh. We watched 15 young men each walk up to receive his diploma and saw many of them receive awards and lead the class in speeches. The highlight was experiencing the transformation of a San Miguel alumni into a college-bound senior from the Class of 2012, as he gave the commencement address. 

Our alum spoke of coming to the United States as a young child, after a devastating hurricane in his home country of Honduras. He told the graduates, underclassmen, families and friends, of his struggle to learn English and find his way in his new country. His story includes being reluctantly pulled (by his parents) off the streets of Newburgh into the safe and nurturing  community of San Miguel. As a SMAN graduate, he attended St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, NJ where he continued his educational journey, realizing that he could make his dreams come true by believing in himself and through commitment to his studies. This young man's next step is as a freshman at a university in Connecticut, where we expect to see him continue to grow.

Stories such as this alum's are why we do what we do.  This summer, we will have a new group of fifth graders join the San Miguel community and with your help, they will begin the change in their lives through our middle school extended day, Saturday, Summer Scholar, Step Up and High School Placement and Graduate Support Programs.  Join us through volunteer work, spreading the word through social media, or contributing in whatever way possible.

As always, we thank you for your continued support. You make this happen for these boys.

Links:

• SMAN students study S.T.E.M. curriculum at Mohonk Preserve