This past May, five alumnae of the Scripps College Academy – called SCA Scholars – donned their green caps and gowns to walk in Scripps College’s Commencement on May 18. The moment was particularly poignant for the five. After celebrating Commencement 2013, the women gathered for a photo near the spot where a similar photo was snapped four years ago when they entered as first-year students at Scripps College in 2009 (right).
The Scripps College Academy Class of 2013 in 2009
The alumnae have ambitious plans that include establishing a nonprofit to help other first-generation college students or to possibly work for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights.
Each Scholar credits her success, in part, to her experiences in the Academy.
The five women are Anna-Marie Wood ’13, Jasmine Johnson ’13, Jessica Baker ’13, Lyanne Dominguez ’13 and Amy Tran ’13. They had first joined the Scripps community in 2006 and 2007 as high school freshmen and sophomores.
SCA is a free college-preparatory program for female high school students from the greater Los Angeles area who seek to become the first in their families to attend college. This is what each of the five had to say about her SCA experience:
“SCA means new opportunities, new experiences, and achieving my educational dreams,” says Anna-Marie, who is currently serving as the Academy’s interim assistant director.
Jasmine plans to earn a doctorate degree because she wants to pursue a career in education.
“SCA was the first leap I took toward accomplishing my life’s goals,” says Jasmine, who hopes to work for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. “I didn’t know what I was signing up for. I just knew I wanted to go to a great college.”
Jessica’s experiences were life-changing.
“Throughout my time at Scripps, SCA was a community with like-minded people who were committed to helping students succeed in education,” says Jessica, who aspires to become a clinical psychologist and work with special needs students.
Lyanne describes SCA as “my family, my community.”
“It was my support system during my college and high school years,” says Lyanne, who is working this summer for the Chicago-based college-preparatory program, Schuler Scholar Program.
Applying to Scripps College would have never crossed Amy’s mind had she not attended SCA as a high school student.
“One of my aspirations is to help those who are less fortunate,” says Amy, who wants to become either a dermatologist or a medical doctor. “I hope to go on mission trips to Vietnam and help those in need, especially children who live in orphanages.”
She says SCA taught her to help others.
“I am grateful to be a part of the SCA family because of all the opportunities I’ve received. Thank you.”