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Bridges to a Brighter Future Names 20th Class


Last updated April 27, 2016

By Tina Underwood

Twenty-six Greenville County high school students have been invited to participate in Furman University’s Bridges to a Brighter Future, a program whose mission is to give students the tools and support they need to overcome barriers, graduate from high school and enroll in college. The new class marks the 20th year of the outreach program.

Since the program was launched in 1997, nearly 500 Greenville County students, including new enrollees, have participated in Bridges to a Brighter Future.

“Students selected for the program have demonstrated both academic and leadership potential, but are challenged by circumstances that may prevent them from fulfilling what they are capable of,” says Pam Davis, Bridges to a Brighter Future Director. “We offer life-changing experiences that expose students to academic success, and build character, self-confidence and resiliency,” she says.

The 26 students were chosen this year from a pool of 106 applicants. To be considered for the program, teachers and counselors nominate high school freshmen candidates who then complete a written application and participate in an interview.

Once selected, students take part in a comprehensive, year-round program, which includes three components. Through Saturday College, students receive tutoring throughout the academic year. For three consecutive summers, students also attend Bridges Foundations, a four-week residential program on the Furman campus that provides students with academic and personal support. The third component, Crossing the Bridge, focuses on assisting students with the college enrollment process and the transition from high school to college. These students participate in an intensive one-week program on the Furman campus and receive continuous support throughout their college careers. In all, the Bridges program includes more than seven years of support.

The new class will join 52 students already in the high school component of the program, bringing the total to 78 current Bridges students.

Students named as part of Bridges to a Brighter Future’s 20th class are:

Berea High School: Andres Batres
Berea High School/Star Academy: Shamir Bridgers
Blue Ridge High School: Abigail McCready
Carolina High School: Colleen LaForm-O’Shea; Jonnasia Sledge
Eastside High School: Janie Herrera; Nathanael Maramis
Eastside High School/Star Academy: Nhi Ngo
Greenville High School: Mia Rogers
Greenville Technical Charter High School: Daniel Giraldo
Greer High School: Quantavious Cohen|
Hillcrest High School: Treavelle Westfield
Hillcrest High School/Star Academy: Zikeah Tatum
JL Mann High School: DeLante Blagburn; Decha Jeter
Legacy Charter School: Christian Peebles
Mauldin High School: Daniel Johnson; Georggina Session
Riverside High School: Matthew Martinez
Southside High School: Rosie Hayes
Southside High School/Star Academy: Warren Collins
Travelers Rest High School: Joslyn Gatewood
Wade Hampton High School: Crosse Kinnunen
Woodmont High School: Maribel Bustamante; Mariana Bustamante; Alexis Farmer

Learn more about Bridges to a Brighter Future at www.bridgestoabrighterfuture.org, or contact program director Pam Davis at (864) 294-3135, or pam.davis@furman.edu.

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