Legacy Students Earn Full Scholarships to Brown University Pre-College Program Through Farm Fresh RI

CENTRAL FALLS, RI — Two rising juniors from Legacy High School, part of the Segue Institute for Learning, have been awarded full scholarships to attend a Brown University Pre-College Program this summer through a partnership with Farm Fresh Rhode Island.

Arihanna Medina and Arely Cruz were selected to participate in Digging Into Rhode Island's Food System, a course offered through Brown University's Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL). The 10-day residential program explores food systems, sustainability, environmental leadership, and community impact through college-level coursework and hands-on learning experiences. Students will live on Brown University's campus while engaging with issues related to agriculture, food access, and environmental stewardship.

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The scholarships were made possible through funding secured by Farm Fresh Rhode Island, which designated support specifically for Legacy students as an extension of the organization's longstanding partnership with Segue Institute for Learning.

"Securing scholarship opportunities for Legacy students was a top priority as we explored participation in this program," said Community Education Manager Cassidee Jones. "For the past four years, Farm Fresh Rhode Island has partnered with Segue's afterschool program to provide food systems education for students in grades three through five. We wanted to ensure that students could continue engaging critically with Rhode Island's food system as they progressed through school. We are grateful that Brown University awarded two scholarships that make this opportunity possible."

"This is an incredible opportunity for our students to experience college life while exploring issues that directly connect to their communities and future career interests," said Legacy Principal Joseph Mitchell. "Programs like this help students expand their perspectives, build confidence, and gain knowledge that can shape their academic and professional futures."

The program begins the week of June 22 and introduces students to complex challenges surrounding food equity, sustainability, local agriculture, and environmental responsibility. The experience aligns closely with Legacy High School's educational approach, which emphasizes experiential learning, critical thinking, collaboration, and community engagement.

"We're proud to continue our partnership with Farm Fresh Rhode Island and expand opportunities like this for our students," said Segue Co-Founder and Superintendent Melissa Lourenco. "Experiences that place students in new environments, expose them to college-level expectations, and connect learning to real-world issues can have a lasting impact. These scholarships provide students with access to an exceptional educational experience while reinforcing the importance of community, leadership, and lifelong learning."

Legacy High School is part of the Segue Institute for Learning, an independent public charter school district serving students in Central Falls. The district's educational model emphasizes project-based learning, interdisciplinary instruction, authentic assessment, and real-world application. Students are encouraged to collaborate, think critically, and develop practical skills that prepare them for college, careers, and lifelong learning.

College and career readiness remain central to the student experience, with access to mentorship opportunities, advising, internships, application support, and career exploration programs designed to help students confidently pursue their goals.

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