Press release:

Local nonprofit, New Futures, that serves low-income children, youth, and families in Burien and SeaTac, will celebrate the academic achievements of four students at a May 4th benefit breakfast honoring the 2011 New Futures Scholars. The Sixth Annual Get Inspired! Breakfast, held at the Washington State Convention Center and emceed by KIRO's Angela Russell, features four Highline School District students who will each receive a $1,500 scholarship for higher education. Says New Futures Executive Director Mario Paredes, "It's a fabulous opportunity we offer to these students, to recognize their work and inspire their higher education endeavors. Not only do we hold the opportunity to inspire these four scholars, but also their families and friends, and the other youth throughout New Futures programs who aspire to reach for higher accomplishments."

Cecelia Arciga is the New Futures 2011 Scholarship recipient for Arbor Heights.

Cecelia, a 9th grade student at the Arts and Academics School (part of the Evergreen Campus), has been involved with New Futures programs since she moved to Arbor Heights in the fall of 2009. Engaged in New Futures' youth program, she participates in homework help, 'girls group', and field trips. Additionally, Cecelia is committed to giving back to New Futures by volunteering her time for community meetings, family time, and community wide events. __ While maintaining an active presence in New Futures' programs, Cecelia is deeply committed to her education. Recently receiving an award in recognition of her high grades and a recommendation for and placement into the college preparatory course - Arts and Academics AVID (advancement via individual determination) - Cecelia has been an honorable participant in New Futures programs for more than two years.

Cecelia is an ambitious and responsible teenager, consistently demonstrating a commitment to her family and a desire to serve her community; taking an active role in caring for her siblings at home and seeking to make a positive contribution to her community through seeking a civil servant career. Cecelia is particularly interested in the field of a Correctional Officer. New Futures is proud of her education and career goals; she is well-deserving of this scholarship towards her post-secondary education endeavors.

Israel Salmeron is the New Futures 2011 Scholarship recipient for The Heights at Burien.

Israel has been involved with New Futures since early childhood. Currently, an 11th grader at Highline High School, Israel is the oldest student at New Futures' Heights at Burien location and has set a great example for other students by whom he is well-respected. He is a natural leader, a community organizer who uses his charisma to serve as a mentor to other program participants, particularly the fourth through eighth graders at The Heights.

Israel's interest in his education and academic achievement has increased significantly over the past few years and he's shown remarkable improvement in his attitude towards school. This is evident in his keen attention to detail in everything he does, especially his class work and daily homework.

In addition to involvement in our programs and dedication to his education, Israel is deeply passionate about his cultural identity. As a member of the Purepecha or Tarascan people of northwest Michoacan, Mexico - an indigenous people that date pre-Columbian settlement - Israel has dedicated himself to speaking the language and learning the culture of his ancestors. He often speaks with pride about his community. With his dedication to education and his natural ability to gather others, Israel is poised to become one of the Purepecha's key future leaders. New Futures is honored to offer Israel a scholarship toward his higher education.

Monica Mendez is New Futures 2011 Scholarship recipient for Windsor Heights
Monica entered New Futures Youth Program as a teen. Today, an 11th grader at Global Connections High School, at Tyee Educational Complex, Monica volunteers with the After School Program (ASP) at Windsor Heights, and was hired on as a New Futures ASP Tutor at Windsor earlier this year.

Over the years Monica has become more serious about her school work, made drastic academic improvements and taken more responsibility for her own progress. Specifically, she has shown increased commitment and self-motivation and has a goal of continuing her education post high school. Her interest in interior design and her passions for social justice and empowerment, coupled with a gift for advocacy, may lead her to possible careers in Interior Design or Law. Additionally, Monica has exhibited leadership capacities through her involvement with various school-based groups such as the Latino Stand Up (LSU) group, where she currently serves as president, and the Latino/a Educational Achievement Project (LEAP), through which she has aided in planning various teambuilding and leadership conferences and workshops.
Her leadership style is evident in her relationships with the children she tutors, with younger family members and her peers. Leading with compassion, humor, and firmness, Monica actively takes responsibility in her tutor group, making sure to create a safe, supportive, and friendly environment for everyone, while enforcing boundaries. The younger participants' respect and love for Monica has grown throughout the time she's spent at the After School Program.

Ashley Vennes is the 2011 Scholarship recipient for Woodridge Park.

Ashley, an 8th grade student at Chinook Middle School was New Futures first participant at Woodridge Park, even before officially opening in 2008. Since the beginning, Ashley has been considered part of the Woodridge family. With attendance in the After-school Program for a year and then the Youth Program over the past two years, she has exhibited a clear commitment to the New Futures community.

Through New Futures's programs, Ashley has had the opportunity to successfully take on leadership roles. Chosen based on her ability to demonstrate scholastic improvement, good attendance to New Futures, and a high level of responsibility, Ashley participated as a Peer Leader in the Chill program, usually unavailable to returning participants.

Ashley's scholastic improvement has been evident in the fact that she was recently awarded Honors status for her high grades. She has achieved this by consciously improving her work-ethic, following through, and focusing toward school. Ashley hopes to be the first person in her family to seek higher education through studying medicine or nursing, as a way to tie in her ever-present desire to help others. New Futures is proud to provide Ashley with a scholarship to continue her independence and drive, to achieve her goals and do well in her future workplace.

Anyone interested in learning more about New Futures' work is invited to attend the breakfast event, which will take place on Wednesday, May 4th at the Washington State Convention Center from 7:30- 8:30 a.m.. Guests will be asked to make a contribution. For more information, visit www.newfutures.org or contact Katie Boehm at katieb@newfutures.org or 206-248-9647.