Mount Vernon STEAM Academy Junior Earns Prestigious $10K Scholarship

MOUNT VERNON, NY — A Mount Vernon STEAM Academy junior thought she was taking part in a presentation on the BigFuture scholarship program, but it turns out she soon learned that she was a recipient of a substantial scholarship herself.

Tamera Tate, an 11th grade student at the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, was awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the College Board in a ceremony last week. Michelle Cosner, director of education partnerships at the College Board, presented the award. Tate’s mother, Paulette Warren, and twin sister, Tia Tate, were in attendance to celebrate her accomplishment.

"This is such a wonderful moment, it really is," Acting Superintendent of Schools K. Veronica Smith said. "I’m so proud of you. I believe that we all have to dream and plan. When you plan and set goals, you are more likely to be successful. You took a few moments to take that opportunity, and those few moments turned into $10,000. We are Mount Vernon, and Mount Vernon is small but we do big and great things. Magical things happen here in Mount Vernon."

The College Board visited the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy for a presentation on BigFuture, but they ended the presentation by surprising Tate with the scholarship.

"This feels surreal," Tate said. "It’s really surprising and exciting. I thought I would get $10 or something."

Only 12 students statewide were selected for the $10,000 scholarship. Tate was chosen for participating in BigFuture, the College Board’s online guide that helps students plan for life after high school. By participating, scholars can win $40,000, $10,000, or $500 scholarships.

"Tamera is a hard-working girl," Lillian Serret-Morales, principal at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, said. "I’m so proud of her. She took the initiative. She just went and got it. We encourage our students to try everything, and that’s why we work. It is the sunshine of my life when I see my students achieve."

Tate plans on majoring in nursing, and she has considered several colleges, including Stony Brook University.

"Now more than ever, students need simple and credible tools to help them choose the college and career that’s right for them," said Tarlin Ray, College Board's VP of BigFuture. "We’ve integrated these scholarship steps into BigFuture so every student — no matter where they are on their journey to college — can take the steps Tamera Tate has taken to raise their hands and earn themselves a big future."

The big future has already started for one Mount Vernon family.

"It means a lot to me," Tate's mother, Paulette Warren, said. "The future is bright. From the day they (Tia and Tamera) were born, I knew there was going to be some victory for them, but how, I didn’t know."