By Leanne Garcia 

​How does attending to the University of Rochester tuition-free sounds to you? Now the University of Rochester has renewed the Rochester Promise which is a tuition-free scholarship available to Rochester City School district students.
 
The scholarship was formed at the University in 2007, many RCSD students have taken advantage of the opportunity. The scholarship guarantees students of city high schools at least $100,000 in sponsored scholarships to attend the University of Rochester.
 
The government and the University worked together to provide the students full tuition for up to four years of enrollment if eligible. The four year value of each award will range from $145,000 to $192,000. To be eligible for the award students must have attended a district high school for their entire junior and senior years and must be admitted to the University of Rochester for the fall of 2008 or thereafter.
 
“The promise is to assure students in city schools today that their hard work in earning admission to college will also earn them financial support the require to succeed here” said Jonathan Burdick, dean of admission and financial aid at U Of R.
 
Also, if students are eligible to the Rochester Promise and the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), they will receive the maximum combination of the scholarship and move benefits for which they are eligible.
 
If interested in the scholarship, visit: http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=3076 for more information on how to apply.
 

By Rosa Soto

​A scholarship is an award of financial support for a student. They are based on various criteria you need to win the scholarship. Some criteria are essays or high grades, but it turns out there are way more unusual ones. Have you ever heard of a Courageous Crusaders scholarship? Or a sweet diggity dog scholarship? Or even a stuck at prom scholarship? There are other scholarships that are open to more than just essays, and here are a few.
 
Courageous Crusaders is a scholarship open to all high school students in 9-12th grade, given by the Courageous Persuaders Company. Each year, more than 10,000 young people, ages 16 - 25, die as a result of alcohol use. The criteria of the Courageous Persuaders is to help them make a film to dissuade high school students from underage drinking. You have to create a TV commercial about 30 seconds long targeting underage drinking and the dangers of it. This scholarship allows you to have fun and get creative, while helping the community, and possibly win a $2,000 award. If you like acting or film, this is your scholarship. To get more information regarding this scholarship visit, http://www.courageouspersuaders.com.
 
If you don't like writing long essays or applications then apply to the Sweet Diggity Dog scholarship.  It's a one stop shop scholarships that requires one small request from you with a big award amount. The SDDS given by the company Zinch allows you to win their scholarship without doing all the extra work. All you need to do is fill out the online application and you can be one step closer to the $20,000 award the give you at the end. This scholarship is open to current high school students graduating with a minimum of a 2.0 or higher GPA. For more information on this sweet scholarship go to http://www.zinch.com/scholarships.
 
Are you creative? Do you have a boyfriend? Do you have a taste for fashion? If the answer is yes to these questions, then the Stuck at Prom scholarship is made just for you. The “Stuck” at Prom Duck Brand Duct Tape Scholarship is provided by ShurTech Brands, LLC Company. This company allows you to do a hands on project with duct tape to win the award amounts either $500, $5,000, plus money for your school. Contestants must enter as a couple, and must attend a high school. The criteria is for the couple to create an original prom attire creation and accessories out of duct tape, and other materials incorporated to make the design complete. You cannot copy or incorporate anybody else's work, or you may face disqualification. For more information regarding this sticky scholarship visit, www.stuckatprom.com.
 
To receive more information enter your email on each website so you can be open to their deadlines and rules.  Why not apply for unusual scholarships where you can be creative? They're fun and they give out an award that can help you towards your future college. You might be the next winner. 

Have any of you ever wondered about the ESOL students or ever helped translate for them? The East Academy for English Language Learners (EAFELL) was held during February break from 8:00pm to 1:30pm here at East High School. This program is for those students who have recently transferred from another country and even for those who want to get better at their English speaking and writing skills. These students are called the new ELL’s to East.

These scholars not only took time out of their break to practice English but they also took notes and visited the George Eastman house, the Susan B. Anthony house and the Rochester museum and science center (RMSC). Each scholar learned about Rochester's history and how each place had a great impact on Rochester.

On the last day, Friday, each student had to present in front of the staff on who they thought had a greater impact. “I was super impressed and they did very well,” said ELL teacher Ms. Shaw. She was with these students along with other staff members during break.  Presentations are part of a specifically American education. “In other countries it's rare for [students] to do presentations. These students never did presentations where they came from,” added Ms. Shaw.   If you want to learn more about the history of Rochester and or want to practice your English skills more reach out to Ms. Shaw in D235 or any ELL teacher.
 

Alguna vez te has preguntado sobre los estudiantes ESOL o has interpretado por algún estudiante en tu clase? El East Academy for English language learners (EAFELL) fue dado en el receso de febrero de 8AM a 1:30PM aquí en la East High school. Este programa es para nuestro estudiantes nuevos que han venido de otro país recientemente o los que necesitan más práctica leyendo y escribiendo en inglés. Estos estudiantes son llamados los ELL’s nuevos de east.

Estos estudiantes no solo sacaron de su tiempo por cinco días en el receso sino que también estudiaron y visitaron el George Eastman house, Susan B. Anthony house y el Museo de Rochester y el Centro de Ciencia. Cada estudiante aprendió sobre el conocimiento profundo sobre Rochester y como cada persona fue parte de el gran cambio impactante de Rochester.

En el último dia, viernes, cada estudiante tenía que hacer una presentación delante de el personal de la escuela explicando quien ellos creen quien hizo un cambio más impactante. “ ellos hicieron un gran trabajo, estaba super impresionada” dijo la maestra de ELL Srta. Shaw. Ella estuvo con estos estudiantes ayudándolos. Las presentaciones son una gran parte en la educación en los Estados Unidos. “En otros países es rara la vez que estudiantes hagan presentaciones. Estos estudiantes nunca han hecho presentaciones en sus países.” también dijo Srta. Shaw.  Si algunos de ustedes quieren aprender más de la historia de Rochester o mejorar su ingles pueden alcanzar la Srta. Shaw en D235 o otro maestro de ELL.
​
Wilnelly Rodriguez 

The Youth Apprenticeship Program is available for scholars in grades 10th and 11th grade who are interested in the medical or health field. Anyone who is interested in applying will get a great experience. To be able to get in this program students must have a minimum of a 2.5 grade point average (preferably a 3.0) and 94% attendance with no suspensions. The role that the students will have in the hospital will be a Patient Care Technician, meaning students will have the opportunity to have hands-on experience to work with patients who are ill or in need of any health and medical problem.
 
There are a variety of departments to pick from. There is anything from working with patients to not working with patients at all. This is because there are a lot of people who like to work with patients and other people who don’t. The interesting thing about this program is that each month there is a rotation which means students get to see the different aspects of different environments in the hospital setting.
 
Students are able to work 20 hours in 2 weeks, but the good advantage of this program is that when students have vacation from school they can work up to 40 hours that whole week that school is not in session. Students who are already in the program can tell you how good of a program this is. Students will grow mentally and physically in the time that they spend at the hospital. The Youth Apprenticeship Program is definitely a great opportunity to determine whether or not scholars would look up to wanting to further their education in the health field.  Ask your counselor about it today.

Melissa Caso

We had awesome participation in the Mission Patch Competition, with 70 patches received from Upper School and 20 patches from Lower School!  The winning patch design for both Upper and Lower School will be made into t-shirts for all the Family Group members in the group that submitted the winning design.

On Wednesday, February 15, I went with the student team to Channel 10 to record an interview for the Rochester in Focus TV program. You can watch it at this link: http://www.whec.com/article/10882/index.shtml  (select the episode for February 19 any time from Sunday on).

We have started a Facebook page (East High SSEP) where we post information and updates about the program.  Feel free to Like and Follow the page to stay current!

Finally, the segment that ran on Channel 21 last month has been picked up nationally, and will be aired on PBS Newshour sometime in the next month (we don’t know exactly when it will run yet).  This will be aired throughout the United States and parts of Canada! 

We have the power to change the world,
East High, now let’s go to space!

Mary Courtney

​Giachino Barcelona and Ahmed Mungani received awards from the School Board for Outstanding Academic Achievement! Please join us in congratulating them on their success!

Do you love to write?  Could you use some extra cash?  There are three opportunities for students to have their voices heard while also refining their writing skills:

• NYS Conference of Mayors is sponsoring an “If I Were Mayor, I Would” writing contest for all 8th graders; student entry must be received by March 8, 2017
  • Three wining essays will be selected: first place will receive a prize of $150, second place $75 and third place $50.  Essays should be 350-500 words in length.
• Harvard-Radcliffe Club of Rochester Writing Contest for 10th – 12th graders on the topic: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress” (Douglass) due March 31st
  • First prize will receive $250, second prize $100, and third prize $50
• The Rochester Black Author Expo’s Extraordinary Youth Writing Contest is open to 7th – 12th graders with a deadline of May 1, 2017 (info below)

See your English teacher for more information, entry forms and submission details!
​

Rochester City School District held their annual School Expo to help parents and students decide which middle and high school they wanted to attend in the fall of 2017. Every year the RCSD brings different high schools from the RCSD to MCC’s Damon Campus such as Wilson, Vanguard, Douglas, and of course East. Each school has representatives like coaches, administrator, and teachers to give information that will help students and parents make the decision easier.
 
Expos are important to help give information about programs that the school has to offer, which sports are available to students and what is expected of the students. The expo also included different programs and extracurricular activities that students could join outside of school. For example the RCSD Show Choir is something that students could join if they love to sing and perform. It’s open to all students in the RCSD grades 8-12, and it attracts students from all different city schools.
 
Expos give answers to anyone who has questions about schools they are thinking about attending and it helps people find out where is the right fit. The deadline for 7th and 9th graders selecting their school of choice is February 3rd, and the deadline for Kindergarten in March 3rd, so don’t wait!  Also, if parents missed the Expo they can find more information on the RCSD website at www.rcsdk12.org. 

​Alicia Willie

Regents Exams will take place here at East High School from Tuesday, January 24th through Friday, January 27th. There are 11 different exams. Students should take these exams very seriously because they determine many things in our future and count towards our graduation. ‘’These exams are one of the things that stand for who you are outside of the school’’ said Mr. Meade, our exam coordinator. These January exams are also “giving students a second chance,” said Senior Saranne Kaufman, who is retaking U.S. History in order to graduate.
 
Students who are taking any of the exams might be experiencing mixed emotions, but there are important things you could do to prepare and ease the stress.  You should keep in mind to be here on time and keep your motivation. Also remember to ‘’have a good night's sleep and a good breakfast,’’ suggested Mr. Meade. Remember to be confident in yourself and give the best of your ability. 

Wilnelly Rodriguez 

Students who earned Honor Roll were honored in an Academic Achievement ceremony.  The celebration was held on Friday, December 2nd at 11:30am in the auditorium. The ceremony was fast and many people attended, including students, teachers and also parents.  Seniors Hanzel Carrillo and Dejzary McFadden along with freshman Indya Lowman emceed the event and presented the awards. There are three categories of honors, including Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, and High Honor Roll with Distinction. Principal Blocker made a small speech for the all the students and parents who attended, especially the students who received the High Honor Roll with Distinction.

Students also got “Mission Awards” which are awarded not based on GPA, but based on citizenship.  Scholars got awards for Tenacity, Thinking Purposefully, and Advocating for Themselves and Others, which is our mission here at East High.

After the ceremony there was ice cream for the students and raffles of student names for step jam tickets. What made this ceremony different from the other ones was that it was in the morning during school instead of after school or in the evening.  Also, parents were invited to attend during the day and there was a decent turnout.

To get the High Honor Roll with Distinction certificate, scholars have to earn a 4.00 GPA or higher. Senior Marry Lu, who received the High Honor Roll with Distinction certificate, appreciated the ceremony and recognition. “It felt nice to get recognized for my hard work,” Lu said.

​Wandalys Montero