We are thrilled to share the following message from Aaron Tucker, an ACCESS alumnus.

“I am a sophomore at Missouri University of Science & Technology in Rolla, MO, earning my Bachelors of Science in Engineering Management with an emphasis in Information Technology. College was quite a challenge for me as far as transitioning into a new phase in my life. However, in the face of adversity, I remained confident and am now not only succeeding but I feel like I am thriving. I have joined a fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and serve as the Philanthropy Committee Chairman, organizing fundraisers benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and head the Public Relations Committee. I also sing with an acapella group.
Next semester, I’ll be a Supply Chain/Materials Intern at Altec Industries in Elizabethtown, KY, as part of Altec’s Co-op Program.”

Aniya is an ACCESS graduate from Most Holy Trinity School & Academy currently attending Trinity Catholic High School, where she is active in the Diversity Club. She also enjoys interacting with younger students and has been involved with our ACCESS Give Back Work-Study program for the past two years.

According to Nick McDowell, Aniya’s Graduate Support Director, she “has been an asset to the program and a leader among her peers. She has been a great role model for the younger students through the work-study program, and very proactive about her approach to her post-secondary options.”

Aniya will be attending Fontbonne University in the fall and plans to take several finance and business courses.

 

We are thrilled to recognize Maria D., a junior at Ursuline Academy, as a Graduate of Achievement!

After graduating from our Academy program at St. Cecilia, Maria wanted to attend an all-girls high school that would challenge her and expand her horizons, and was accepted to Ursuline, a nationally-recognized school of excellence.

To ensure that the school was and is a good fit for Maria, Mrs. Heidi Klosterman, her Graduate Support Director, visits often.

“Heidi is very attentive and always makes sure we are putting forth our best effort and doing well on our grades. It helps motivate me,” said Maria.

The challenging academic environment at Ursuline also taught Maria the importance of staying on top of her work and grades. She advises any prospective freshmen not to slack off in their studies.

“I wasn’t unprepared for Ursuline but wasn’t prepared enough to take on the amount of homework that I have. I didn’t realize how important it was to have a 4.0 my first year to maintain a cumulative GPA high enough to earn the Ursuline Scholars Award. At the end of my freshman year, I had a 3.6 GPA and wanted the white sweater,” she said.

Proudly, during her sophomore year, Maria was awarded First Honors for both the Fall 2016 and Spring 2017 semesters, and was presented the Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence for achieving a GPA of 4.0 or higher for both semesters. This year, she was awarded First Honors for the Fall 2017 semester and look forward to seeing her achievements this semester. We believe she is well on her way to earning the Ursuline Scholars Award.

Maria is also active in a variety of extracurricular activities, including Project USS, a club that helps raise funds for students who need financial aid, and Posse, a club that helps encourage school spirit by making posters for games and cheering in the stands.

After graduating high school, Maria hopes to attend Washington University, St. Louis University, or the University of Missouri – Kansas City to study neuroscience and pre-med.

“I find the brain fascinating, and don’t think many people realize how important it is, especially if it shuts off. I have heard a lot about tumors lately and want to help people,” Maria added.

We are beyond excited for Maria and will continue sharing updates on her achievements!

My name is Kyra Harris, and I am a 2011 graduate of Most Holy Trinity School and Academy, a 2015 graduate of Rosati-Kain High School, and a future 2019 graduate of Avila University.
There are people who doubt the power of inner-city schools, and the minority students who attend those schools, but with the help of ACCESS Academies, those people are proven wrong. Most Holy Trinity has been a part of my life since I was 7 years old. There I learned how to play the violin, ballroom dance, speak French, and built a strong academic foundation that has gotten me this far.
During my 8th grade year, my teachers and graduate support director asked us where do we want to go to high school and why? I told them Rosati-Kain was my first choice because I wanted to go to a good high school so I could get into a good college. With the support of my family, Holy Trinity, and ACCESS Academies, I was accepted to my first-choice high school.
At Rosati, I played the violin all four years for the school’s Performing Ensemble, a skill I learned in the 2nd grade at Most Holy Trinity. During my time at Rosati, Mr. Nick, the graduate support director from Most Holy Trinity, would come and visit me to make sure my grades weren’t slipping. One time I had a C in one of my classes and he gave me that look and said, “I see you have a C here” and all I could do was look at him and go “yeahhhhhh” (lol). But he told me that if I was having trouble with the class he could help me find tutors and resources. I think it’s pretty cool that he made sure I was doing my best in school. It’s a beautiful thing that ACCESS Academies helps get students through some of the best Catholic high schools in St. Louis.
After I was accepted to college, Mr. Nick asked me if I had the things I needed to start the semester. Through his support, and ACCESS Academies, I was able to purchase some of my books for school. And don’t let anyone fool you, books are VERY expensive (lol)! But even now, Mr. Nick calls me and asks me how school is going and if I need anything. When I told him I was having a little trouble with my tuition, and needed help, he offered me a spot with ACCESS’s work-study program.
I’ve been a part of the work study program for about a year now. Last summer, I worked at Holy Trinity’s summer school for the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. It was so cool to see some of the kids who had gone there while I was going there. Each work-study participant had a different responsibility. Mine was to oversee the reading portion of the kids’ day and to make sure the work study participants signed in and out. I also worked at Holy Trinity over my Christmas break while I was home from school. One of the best parts of going back to MHT is being able to see all the people and families I’ve known from when I went there and watch my school grow and flourish.
God-willing, in 2019 I will graduate with my Bachelors in the Science of Nursing. I chose nursing as my major because I believe it has a lot to do with medicine and health and more to do with how you make someone feel in their time of need. I’m kind of a people pleaser—I like to see people happy and I hope I can engage this part of my personality into my career.
I think I am a pretty driven person but my mom has definitely given me the extra push and occasionally the shoulder to cry on when needed. I wouldn’t have gotten this far without her and she has definitely inspired my career goals. There isn’t a day when she has told me I couldn’t reach my goals and be what I wanted to be.
After I get my BSN, my plan is to work at a hospital in the emergency room, labor and delivery unit, or the neonatal intensive care unit. In the near future, I plan to get my Doctorate of Nursing Practice. I hope that within my career I can help bridge some of the gaps between nurses and physicians while giving my patients the best care I know how to, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I also want all the little girls and boys that walk the halls of Most Holy Trinity to know that they have the power within themselves to be whatever they want.
Through the support of people like you, I have been able to accomplish so much and I plan on accomplishing much more. So, with my sincerest gratitude, I would like to thank God, my family, Most Holy Trinity, and ACCESS Academies for helping me through my journey and continuing to support me. Thank you all.

Below is a brief excerpt from Jenny Carrillo’s speech from the 9th annual ACCESS Academies Scholarship Dinner.

“My name is Jenny Carrillo, I am 24 years old, I have my MBA, and work for a Fortune 500 company.

I attended St. Cecilia School & Academy from Kindergarten through eighth grade. After, I was encouraged by my family and graduate support director to attend Nerinx Hall. I was thankful for my time at Nerinx because they were incredibly supportive of me and my family. I remember Ms. DeLany signing me in late every morning because I had to drop off my five siblings before school. I also remember my college counselor pushing me to take the next step in my journey.
You see, sometimes as you go through life you find yourself at a crossroad and needing help. After my junior year, I was at my crossroad. My mother was ill and, as the oldest, my family depended on me. I couldn’t fathom going to college and leaving them with no support. However, my high school counselor kept encouraging me to apply- even going as far as to give me applications for nearby colleges and universities. I was accepted to all, but chose St. Louis University.

At St. Louis University I met Marie Kenyon, who I refer to my personal cheerleader. She has always been a source of encouragement and support, and helped the flame inside of me grow brighter than I thought possible. I worked for Marie in the Catholic Legal Assistance Ministry as a translator. During my senior year, I travelled to Panama for a cultural immersion program, thus completing the final academic requirement for my Bachelor’s Degree in International Business. As the daughter of immigrants, I was the first in my family to go to college.

After graduating I went to work for St. Francis Community Services on the south side providing financial interventions and education before going on to earn my Master’s in Business Administration from Fontbonne University. I remember my sisters asking me “How many more graduations are you going to have, Jenny?!” (Photo pops up on big screen) That made me feel very proud, and I am excited to say that I am not done yet.

Currently, I work for New York Life doing what I love, which is to help others, but also to learn. Every day, every new person, teaches me something new, gives me more tools. As I look to the future, I am excited because I know my future is limitless because I have my education and a community of supporters backing me up. Thank you.”