ACCESS Academies is thrilled to welcome Margaret “Peg” Lord as our part-time Event Coordinator!

Before joining ACCESS, Peg served as the Mothers’ Club President and Co-Chair for the Bonne Chance Auction for Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School; the Chair of Ste. Genevieve du Bois Parish’s annual Fundraiser; and sub-committee member for the Annual Catholic Appeal Council.

In addition to her wealth of experience coordinating philanthropic efforts, Lord served as a Special Projects Manager for Merisant Co. and Guest Relations Manager- Agricultural Sector for Monsanto. Peg received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from St. Louis University.

For more information, please contact Julie Linder, Public Relations for ACCESS Academies, by calling (573) 268-0639 or emailing [email protected].

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Since 2005, ACCESS has partnered with middle schools serving high-poverty populations to open Academies promoting a robust curriculum, homework assistance, service projects, and enrichment through extended school day and school year programming.  ACCESS also provides a school-based Graduate Support Director who works directly with students and their families all seven years of their educational journey, from middle school, through high school, and into college. Services include mentoring, advocacy, counseling, and more.  Academies are currently located in Most Holy Trinity School & Academy; St. Cecilia School & Academy; and St. Louis Catholic Academy. ACCESS is also laying the groundwork to open a new Academy at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School in East St. Louis next year.

To date, ACCESS has served more than 1,100 disadvantaged students in the St. Louis region. Ninety-eight percent of its graduates have been accepted to private, college-prep high schools; 99 percent graduate on-time; and 96 percent are accepted to college or other post-secondary institutions.

ACCESS is thrilled to welcome current and future business experts for a speaker series called “Connecting with Career Professionals.”

Offered during our ACCESS Academies Young Professionals program, “Connecting with Career Professionals” helps students make the connection from school to work by inviting speakers to discuss their careers, their educational backgrounds, and their future aspirations. Below is the calendar of invited speakers for the series.

January 23
Paris Forest, Boeing, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic School & Academy

January 24
Matt Manietti, GlobalHack, at St. Cecilia School & Academy

January 24
Jeanelle Adams, Boeing, at St. Louis Catholic Academy

February 13
Neal Robinson, U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation & DreamBuilders4Equity, and Michael Woods, Forward Progress Personal Training & DreamBuilders4Equity, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic School & Academy.

February 14
Jason Chaffin, Reggie Whitted, and Bethany White, St. Louis Cardinals, at St. Louis Catholic Academy.

Neal Robinson, U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation & DreamBuilders4Equity, and Michael Woods, Forward Progress Personal Training & DreamBuilders4Equity, at St. Louis Catholic Academy.

February 27 & 28
Karen Kizeart, St. Louis Community Credit Union, at all three Academies.

March 13 & 14
Chisom Uche, Six Thirty Financial, and Yvette Rodriguez, Cultivation Capital, at all three Academies.

March 20
Jose Ponce, president of Remax Gold Realty and owner of Sweat St. Louis, at all three Academies.

April 17 & 18
Chimezie Ileje, NSBE Washington University Student Panel, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic School & Academy and St. Louis Catholic Academy.

April 18
ALAS – Washington University Student Panel, St. Cecilia School & Academy

May 1
TBD- all three Academies

The ACCESS Academies Young Professionals curriculum creates a culture of college-going success through career exploration, post-secondary opportunity awareness, financial literacy, and essential communications skills. Specifically, our students will:

– Identify and explore careers represented in the six career pathways

– Develop and use leadership skills as mentor leaders

– Discover educational post-secondary opportunities

– Learn about personal banking and explore options for paying for college

– Study and practice professional etiquette

The ACCESS Academies Young Professionals curriculum is taught by Ms. Catherine Nkonge and is aligned with grades 6-8 Common Core State Standards and the American School Counselor Association National Standards for Students. To learn more, please contact Tom Mackowiak, Executive Director, by calling (314) 898-0430.

We are thrilled to recognize Shayla D., a senior at Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School, as a Graduate of Achievement!

According to Ms. Joslyn Sandford, Shayla’s Graduate Support Director, she is “a perfect example for student-athletes. She maintains a 3.5 or higher g.p.a. and excels on the track. She has set the path for her younger sisters to follow and they definitely look up to her!”

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Experience at Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School: Cardinal Ritter is a fun school. It has a lively environment. Everyone has a friend there and you form close relationships with your teachers.

Fondest Memory of School: I like the funny moments I have with my friends. The goofy moments at basketball games, track meets and football games. I am going to miss it. I am looking forward to prom.

Favorite Subject: Science because it has gotten more interesting and hands-on in high school. We are getting ready to dissect something in my Genetics class.

What ACCESS Means to Me: Ms. Joslyn (my Graduate Support Director) is always checking up on me and making sure I am on track. She helped me find tutors and prepare for the ACT. I am now part of the Work-Study program and it is teaching me responsibility and I have fun helping the younger kids. The tuition scholarship is also very helpful.

Aspirations: I would like to study biology or physical therapy. As an athlete, I am interested in the form and function of a body.

Role Model: Brittney, my big cousin. She went to school at Alabama A&M on a full-ride scholarship and graduated. She now has a good job as a nurse, is married, and living the good life. She has always been very focused on what she wants to do.

We are thrilled to recognize Kendall M.H., an alumna of Lutheran North, as a Graduate of Achievement!

“Kendall is everything ACCESS embodies and takes full advantage of all the programs ACCESS offers. She graduated high school early due to her focus on academics. She is all about service and helping the younger students succeed at the high school level,” said Nick McDowell, her Graduate Support Director.

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Favorite Teacher: My former teacher, Mrs. Dixon, because she helped my passion for poetry flow out of me. I took her Creative Writing class and learned how to write poems. I enjoyed it so much it became a creative outlet for me to express my feelings. I also remember the day I found out my brother-in-law passed away and she hugged me. I never thought a teacher would show such compassion. She truly cared for me and wanted the best for me.

Favorite Subject: Math because it comes easily to me. I remember in fourth grade going up against the smartest kid in my class and beating the student at multiplication. I also love English. Over the summer we were required to read “The Hate U Give” and when we returned to school we had to write a paper about it. I felt like I was meant to write the paper.

Favorite Academy Program: Mr. Cherry at Most Holy Trinity had us work on advanced Math problems often so we were ahead and high school was easier.

Fondest Memory of School: The day I shadowed Most Holy Trinity Catholic School & Academy. They were trying to put together a Step Team and had everyone standing in line to practice. Donavan was trying to get us all together to learn and I remember having fun and feeling welcome.

Hobbies: I work at the Missouri History Museum and research, write, and perform plays on Saturdays. Currently, we are researching more scenes to add to our current play “Teens Make History.”

Prospective College: I would like to attend Fontbonne University. Recently, ACCESS hosted a campus visit, and I was able to talk with the admissions office.  I would like to double major in business and early childhood education with a double minor in mathematics and communication arts.

Career Aspirations: I would like to become an early childhood educator. I also have dreams of becoming an entrepreneur and public speaker. I met and talked with Tony Thompson, who inspired me to go for it.

Role Model: My older sister, Siane, is my role model. Over the past two years, she has lost two people but continues to persevere. She uses the pain to move forward and get done what needs to be done and shows me what a strong woman should be.

We are thrilled to recognize Avion B., an eighth-grader at Most Holy Trinity School & Academy, as a Student of Achievement!

According to Mr. Nick McDowell, Avion’s Graduate Support Director, he is “a great leader amongst his peers. He has strong academics and is a great role model for the younger students.”

Avion, who has attended Most Holy Trinity School & Academy since the second grade, said the key to success is doing your work on time.

Favorite Teacher: My third-grade teacher, Ms. Leto. Third grade was a lot of fun because we did a lot of activities, like making dirt cups in science. I also remember making gingerbread cookies and ice cream floats for Christmas. She even brought us gifts.

Favorite Subject: Mathematics because I like working with numbers.

Current Academy Programs: Ambassadors, Young Professionals, Chess, Basketball, and Study Hall.

Favorite Academy Program: I like being part of the school’s Ambassadors program because we are in charge of planning a fun activity on half days. For Advent, we made wreaths with a school family colors. (Most Holy Trinity’s family program brings students closer together at the school by having students from each grade in one family. The families spend time together, like reading together, and compete against other families, like kickball tournaments.

Hobbies: I like to play basketball, football, and baseball. I think baseball is my favorite because I am closer to the players on my team.

Fondest Memory of School (So Far): In second grade we went on a field trip to St. Nicholas Skating Rink. We went skating, had pizza, and it was just a good time, even though we fell a lot!

What are you looking Forward To in High School and Why: I liked shadowing the high schools. I felt De Smet was the best fit for me because I have friends there, and they have a great sports program and a wide variety of clubs.

Future High School: De Smet Jesuit High School

Role Model: My role model is my big brother, Kel, because he is very nice. He has done a lot for my family and is currently attending the University of Texas- San Antonio.

 

We are thrilled to recognize Mackenzie G., a seventh-grader at St. Louis Catholic Academy, as a Student of Achievement!

According to Ms. Joslyn Sandford, Mackenzie’s Graduate Support Director, she is “a silent leader and stands on her own 2 feet. She always strives to do her best and not afraid to ask for help if she doesn’t understand. She always looks at situations in different perspectives and does an excellent job of helping her classmates see things in a different light.”

A student at St. Louis Catholic Academy since preschool, Mackenzie has given back to her community on numerous occasions, including a recent class field trip to a local community center to distribute toys, gift cards, and boxes of stuffed animals and food to those in need.

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Favorite Teacher: I have had different experiences with all of my teachers and like them all.

Favorite Subject: I don’t have a favorite subject. However, I do well in science. We just did a project on physical and chemical changes that was fun.

Current Academy Programs: ACCESS Academies Young Professionals, Band (Mackenzie plays the trumpet!), Sewing, 4H Leadership, Garden Club, Love Project, and Technology.

Favorite Academy Program: Technology class because it is more hands-on and fun compared to my other classes.

Additional Activities: Girl Scouts and church usher.

Fondest Memory of School (So Far): I don’t know because I have a lot of fond memories here. In 3rd grade, we raised mealworms until they turned into beetles. It was fun and gross at the same time so it really stands out in my mind.

What are you looking Forward To and Why: I am looking forward to turning 16 and going to prom.

Prospective High Schools: Trinity Catholic High School, Rosati-Kain High School, Incarnate Word Academy, and Metro Academic and Classical High School

Prospective Colleges: I like Harvard and Howard University. My uncle lives in Washington D.C. so I will have family close.

Career Aspirations: I am interested in a career as a lawyer, OB/GYN, or criminal investigation.

Role Model: My cousin Alexis because she is 19 and has a job. She pays for her own things, like her car, and is saving for her own apartment. I want to be like that and don’t want to live off