First Graduate

Last month, four of our students participated in the Unleashing Knowledge Innovation for the Next Generation of Learning summit at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya, New Mexico.

First Graduate Founder, Ann-Eve Hazen, has generously provided a $300,000 challenge gift to First Graduate. Click here to learn how you can have your secure online donation matched dollar for dollar.

On August 4th, the rising 9th through 12th graders from First Graduate participated in the 2009 Presentations of Learning (POLs). At this event, each student presented a summary of their educational experiences over the past year to a group of peers, parents, and First Graduate supporters. This event is always a great opportunity for students to fine tune their public speaking skills, share their knowledge, and interact with the wider First Graduate community. This year's event was held at the Bay School of San Francisco, located adjacent to our office in the Presidio.

First Graduate held its 2009 Career Day on Friday July 17th. This is one of the most popular activities of First Graduate's intensive summer program, as cited by our students. 

About a year ago, college was not a realistic goal for me. Although I met the requirements, my family could not match its price. My mother did not get past sixth grade in Mexico and has, since then, lived a life of physical labor. My mother's dedication to work and to attaining a better life for her family inspired me to pursue my dreams regardless of cost. The price of college was the wall blocking the way to my dreams and although it seemed easier to turn around and walk away, I worked at tearing the wall down. Around this time last year I searched for scholarship opportunities and, at times, lost sleep to finish them by the deadline. Thankfully, people responded to my efforts and the wall fell down.

One of the most popular activities of First Graduate's intensive summer program, as cited by our students, is Career Day. Because most first generation college-bound students have limited exposure to different professions and the educational background necessary for those jobs, career exploration activities play a pivotal role in helping them understand the value of a college degree and stay motivated to complete their education. First Graduate's 2009 Career Day will take place on Friday July 17th. Some of the locations and job environments students will visit include GAP, Inc. headquarters, ABC Channel 7, the Law Offices of Gordon & Rees, LLP, Facebook, California Children's Services and Landor & Associates, among many others.

First Graduate held its 4th Annual CAP & GOWN Celebration on Friday, June 12, 2009 at San Francisco City Hall. The evening was a tremendous success filled with wonderful food, lively guests, cool jazz music, and touching inspiration from our guest speakers.

I can't believe the year is already over! Next thing I know I'll wake up one day and I'll be graduating and wondering where time went. Honestly, I felt like I was just settling in and all of a sudden I'm packing everything away and heading on a flight back to the bay. Makes me want to make the most of the three years I have left at Hampshire all the more, I suppose. If anything it makes the summer seem like its way longer than it should be, which is funny because I remember wishing summer would last forever when I was younger. Now I'm wishing it didn't exist! 

Exploring the Possibilities, which took place on May 20, 2009, was an innovative career exploration event designed to provide students of low-income and non-college educated families with an opportunity to learn about how a college education opens up career 

CAP & GOWN 2009

In preparation for CAP & GOWN, First Graduate students provided a light-hearted commentary on being the first in the world to accomplish something in this short two-minute video.