New York City Kids Graduate From Chappaqua Scholarship Program

In a Saturday morning ceremony, seven New York City high school students graduated from the Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program.

The program, which has been active since 1968, takes place over three summers (four weeks of July each year). The students commit to attend the summers after ninth, tenth and eleventh grades.

Students live with local "host" families during the week and return home to the city on the weekends. Students attend classes in the mornings and participate in a range of recreational and cultural activities in the afternoon, including weekly tennis and swimming lessons

The program was a six-week program until 2007 when Horace Greeley High School closed its summer school. The Board of Directors saw this an opportunity to create its own curriculum and hire its own teachers.

Because of this big undertaking the board shortened the program to four weeks. Classes are held at Horace Greeley High School. Courses in computer science, history and theater are given.

The number of students in the program is usually at around 20 (currently it is at 21). The program's overall goal is to prepare participants for the rigors of college, while broadening their horizons and inspiring them with the possibilities of a bright future ahead.

Students from the program have gone on to attend such schools as Brown University, Boston College, Vassar, Duke and Harvard.

In attendance at the ceremony were students, their families, former students, board members and some of the host families. The ceremony had students receiving certificates and was followed by a luncheon.

Guest speaker and former program participant Ray Flores (1981 alumnus) said that the best parts of the program for him were the people he had met and the relationship he had built with the host families.

Board Member Ellen Adnopoz also spoke about relationships being built.

"We have very long lasting relationships with our students," she said. "They receive help with college entrance, as well as career counseling. It really is the best part of Chappaqua."