December 2022
Dear Friend of Boys Hope Girls Hope,
As we head into the bustle of the holidays, our seniors are in the midst of college applications, FAFSA forms, scholarship interviews—and acceptance letters! This year we are extra busy with nine senior Scholars. They have had a great deal of success thus far and we’d like to share this excitement with you!
Haneefa came to Boys Hope Girls Hope in middle school and attended St. Athanasius before beginning her outstanding career at Regina Dominican High School! Haneefa excels in academics, dance, volleyball, and track, representing RDHS in the state track meet last spring. During the last two summers, Haneefa caddied at Westmoreland Country Club and worked in a medical office. She provides great leadership at the Valenti house! So far, Haneefa has been admitted to Illinois Wesleyan University, Marquette University, Michigan State University, and Providence College. She would like to major in nursing and pursue a career as a neonatal nurse.
Dylan attends Loyola Academy and brings great energy to the house! He is a cheerleader at Loyola, as well as a member of the Step Team. He volunteers through Arrupe. Dylan is a legacy Scholar – his brother Deantrium is an alumnus of our program, as well as a Community Activist in Milwaukee. Dylan spent last summer caddying at Westmoreland Country Club and interning at The Greenwood Project. To date, Dylan has been accepted to Bradley University, Menlo College (full ride Cheer Scholarship), Carroll University, Concordia University Chicago, DePaul University, and University of Kansas, earning merit scholarships from the first two! Dylan plans to major in marketing and pursue a career in digital marketing and product development
Seven attends Loyola Academy and is a powerhouse student! Seven is President of African American Youth Group, a member of the Step Team, and worked at Wilmette Park District Day Camp last summer. Seven also likes to bake cookies and brownies for the entire house. So far, Seven has been admitted to University of Tampa (with a merit scholarship) and Barry University, and plans to major in international studies and pursue a career in immigration law.
Sid attends Regina Dominican and is a talented, prolific artist! Sid works very hard and excels in school. Sid serves on the DEI board and participates in Orchesis Dance Ensemble. To date, Sid has been admitted to DePaul University, Lake Forest College, Loyola University Chicago, University of Iowa, Dominican University, and Marquette University, earning merit scholarships from the first four schools! Sid plans to major in biology and hopes to pursue a career as a medical examiner or neurological disease researcher.
Kaden attends Loyola Academy and is a wonderful young man! Kaden has spent his last two summers caddying at Westmoreland Country Club and is currently vying for an Evans Scholarship. Kaden played football early in his high school career and is now a cheerleader. He loved cheering for the Ramblers at the State Championship football game! So far, Kaden has been accepted at St. Louis University, Barry University, DePaul University, University of Kansas, and Wartburg College. Kaden plans to major in business/finance, with an interest in real estate finance.
Jaylen attends Loyola Academy and has a smile that lights up the room! Jaylen recently participated in a Kairos retreat and was asked to share his life experience and faith journey at the closing ceremony – he received thunderous applause. He is also a talented athlete, playing football for most of his high school career. Last summer, Jaylen caddied at Westmoreland and completed a financial literacy internship with The Greenwood Project. To date, Jaylen has earned entrance to DePaul University and Loyola University New Orleans, with plans to major in business or architecture.
Latrisha attends Regina Dominican and is a Scholar with a capital “S”! She tackles a challenging course load while playing soccer and leading the DEI board. Latrisha caddied and worked in the bag room at Westmoreland during the summer, and also worked in a medical office. She hopes to win an Evans Scholarship! To date, Latrisha has been admitted to Eastern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (with a full ride scholarship), Temple University, Loyola University Chicago, and Loyola University New Orleans, earning merit scholarships at the first four schools! Latrisha plans to major in pre-med/psychology, attend medical school, and serve others as a pediatrician.
Caleb attends Loyola Academy and is one of our future business leaders! He recently spoke at our annual golf outing, informing our crowd that his winning strategy in a stock competition was analyzing Reverse Discounted Cash Flow for his stock portfolio. (Conquer the business world and come back as a board member, Caleb!) Caleb belongs to many school clubs and last summer completed a financial literacy internship at The Greenwood Project. So far, Caleb has been accepted to Bradley University, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, and DePaul University, receiving merit scholarships at the first two. Not surprisingly, Caleb plans to major in business!
Haryu attends Loyola Academy and is an exemplary BHGH Scholar! Haryu is a competitive cheerleader and a member of the Step Team. He also caddied at Westmoreland the last two summers and is vying for an Evans Scholarship. To date, Haryu has been admitted to Bradley University, Lawrence Technological University, Menlo College (full ride Cheer Scholarship), Michigan Technological University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Illinois State University, and University of Detroit Mercy, earning merit scholarships at four of these schools. Haryu plans to major in engineering and has a career interest in Civil Engineering!
These nine amazing Scholars had to overcome significant challenges, including a pandemic with disruptions in learning, but they have persisted and thrived. I remember well their freshman year – nine new Scholars at once are a handful! J It has been an honor to witness their growth. Together, this class has earned 40+ college acceptances and more than $300,000 in annual scholarship offers, with more to come. We are so proud of this group!
Please consider a life-changing gift to BHGH to help us get these Scholars to and through college (and to support all those following in their footsteps).
We are grateful to have you in the BHGH family!
Together in hope,
Karen P. Croteau
President
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois