RESTORATION CELEBRATED ITS FOURTH ANNUAL GRADUATION

On August 25, 2010, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation celebrated its fourth annual graduation for the In School Youth (ISY) program. The event was held in the Skylight Art Gallery at Restoration where we were proud to welcome back past ISY alumni members, and we were privileged with the attendance of an assortment of family members, community leaders, and internship site hosts.

Of the 36 seniors who participated and completed the program throughout the school year, 35 have graduated and are soon matriculating into universities throughout New York as well as out-of-state colleges, including SUNYs Buffalo, Delhi, and Brockport, Rochester Institute of Technology, Hofstra University, Long Island University, Penn State University, York College of Pennsylvania, and Florida International University, to name a few.

During the ceremony, seniors received certificates of program completion for their efforts. Our keynote speaker for the evening was Colvin Grannum, President of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. Graduates were joined by NY State Regent at Large and Restoration Board member, Dr. Lester Young, Medgar Evers College Dean Richard Jones, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development representative Karuna Ramachadran, as well as other respected community members.

Marc Pierre, a program participant and an aspiring journalist, presented a heartfelt poem about the transition from high school into college and adulthood. He spoke of how the staff and resources at Restoration had helped light the path to his successful future.

In a time where youth are struggling to graduate and pursue further education, we are extremely proud that our young people are beating all odds and achieving such high standards. Congratulations to the ISY program graduates of 2010, and a huge thanks to Restoration staff, funders, and community partners for providing a driving force behind the success of the program and its graduates. We wish to thank you all so much for your continued support, trust, and encouragement.

Picture Above: From left to right
Back row- Colleen Pratt, Leona Lewis, Keisha Honore, Dr. Lester Young, Danaysha Thomas, Adina McKoy, Laquacha Bienaime, Daks Armstrong Front Row- Keisha Honore, Antoinette Bates, Dionna Skeet-Lee, Erika Young