Low Income Students Take Next Step to College

College Bound Opportunities Helps Local Students in Need Go to College

Less than two years ago, twenty-four high school Juniors were accepted into the College Bound Opportunities (CBO) program with one goal in mind: graduate from college. These students took a major step towards this goal when they celebrated their graduation from high school on Sunday. Each of these graduates from Deerfield High School, Highland Park High School, and Lake Forest High School will be represented at seventeen different colleges this Fall. CBO identifies students in need who would otherwise forgo college, and gives them the resources to attend and graduate college.

The number one resource provided to these scholars is the one-to-one mentor relationship that begins in high school and continues through college graduation. Because more than 90% of the scholars in the program are the first in their families to attend college, the need for a mentor is critical for navigating the college journey. More than 160 community volunteers serve as mentors to these students, and help them to make the right decisions, academically and personally, for getting the most out of their college experience. On Sunday, Ivonne Soto, a 2015 graduate of Marquette University, addressed the newest class of high school graduates. “Before I was accepted into CBO, I was very shy and never went out of my comfort zone,” said Ivonne. “But my mentor encouraged me to challenge myself and do things that I normally wouldn’t. Because of her advice, I studied abroad in Spain for a semester, and it was the greatest experience of my life,” she added. Ivonne and 49 other CBO scholars have now earned a college degree, and serve as inspiration for these students.

To commemorate their graduation from high school, each scholar received a brand new laptop for college which is made possible through donations from the community. Through these efforts, more than 95% of CBO scholars will earn a college degree. “Take advantage of this opportunity. Get out of your comfort zone and do something new every day,” Ivonne told the students. To donate to a student’s future, call 847.943.9226 or go to http://cbo4success.org.

About College Bound Opportunities:

College Bound Opportunities (CBO) is a not-for-profit organization centered in the ten communities within Deerfield and Highland Park High School District 113 and Lake Forest Community High School District 115. CBO identifies high-achieving but under resourced young people who, without support, would likely forgo post-secondary education and assists them in applying to and completing college. CBO goals are achieved through a program of one-to-one mentoring between volunteers and scholars. Additional aid provided by CBO includes tutoring, training services, laptop computers, and up to $16,000 in financial support. Learn more at http://cbo4success.org.