The Princeton University Preparatory Program graduated its 10th class on Wednesday, celebrating what is perhaps its most accomplished group yet.
By Payal Marathe, Special to the Packet
The Princeton University Preparatory Program graduated its 10th class on Wednesday, celebrating what is perhaps its most accomplished group yet.
All 24 students will be attending a four-year university in the fall, and the sum of their academic scholarships and financial aid packages totals more than $1 million, according to Jason Klugman, director of PUPP.
This is also the first PUPP class to graduate all 24 scholars who started the program together three years ago, which Associate Director Torey Wilson called a unique collective achievement.
Every year, PUPP selects 24 rising high school sophomores from low-income households and enrolls them in a rigorous three-year curriculum of college preparation. The chosen scholars attend summer sessions on the university’s campus, taking classes in art, literature, writing and SAT preparation, and go on excursions to visit colleges.
At Wednesday’s graduation ceremony, students and staff alike praised the program for its success in helping financially disadvantaged students realize their potential.
Mr. Klugman said PUPP is all about identifying gifted students from “under-resourced” local communities and enriching them academically and culturally so they can gain admission to top universities. He added that he was proud to celebrate with the class of 2013 because many students have dealt with difficult personal obstacles.
Mr. Wilson said it has been an “amazing experience” seeing PUPP grow over the years. He said when the program was founded in 2001 it served only three local high schools, but now recruits from six campuses – Princeton, Ewing, Lawrence, Nottingham, Trenton Central and Trenton West.
Princeton University president Shirley Tilghman also spoke at the graduation, reiterating some of her remarks from the previous day’s university commencement. She said she was happy to see these students invest in their education, adding that she hopes they will use what they learn to serve a greater good.
”I know it took courage and sacrifice to be a part of this program, to give up the freedom of summer to take on hard work and responsibility,” Ms. Tilghman said. “I’m so admiring of the decision you made and the fact that you followed it through over the last three years.”
Graduating seniors thanked PUPP for believing in their talent and helping them achieve their goals.The program showed the 24 scholars the “unlimited possibilities” ahead and the “bright and productive” futures they can all look forward to, Mary Ebong said. Ms. Ebong is a senior at Princeton High School and will be starting at Rutgers University in the fall.
Marcos Renoj, a senior at Trenton Central High School Chambers who will be attending Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, said he was grateful not only for the education, but for the support PUPP has provided.
”Thank you for encouraging us to be more than what society expects us to be,” he said.
Other students credited PUPP with instilling in them a drive to work hard and succeed.
Jochebed Muflam said the three years she has spent with PUPP have been exciting because the program gave her the motivation to excel and gave her confidence when she was applying to colleges. Ms. Muflam is a senior at Princeton High School, and is one of the three 2013 PUPP scholars who has matriculated at Princeton University.
Another important aspect of PUPP is exposing students to different universities, whether small liberal arts colleges or larger state schools. Mr. Renoj said visiting a college as a group was always a memorable experience.
”Who knew Colgate was more than a toothpaste? And who is this guy John Hopkins? Is there more than one of him?” he asked.
Ms. Ebong added that taking trips together made this cohort more like a 24-person family than a group of classmates.
This family will be taking what they have learned from their PUPP teachers with them as they pursue higher education, Ms. Ebong said, adding that one of the most important lessons she has learned is there is nothing wrong with asking for help.