Newman University honored 29 Wichita high school students at a banquet and ceremony May 4 for the students’ successful participation in two scholar programs, which are designed to help students learn more about and consider careers in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.
In the process, the students also gained an hour of college credit and got a first-hand look at college life.
Newman University has offered the two programs – the Hispanic Scholars Program (NHSP) and the Native American Scholar Program (NNASP) – for 14 years and 12 years, respectively, in an effort to encourage Hispanic and Native American students to stay in high school and to pursue higher education.
The programs focus on helping at-risk student populations that nationally experience higher secondary education dropout rates, compared to other racial or ethnic groups. The NHSP and NNASP sessions are designed to help cultivate interest in STEM topics and to motivate students by making learning a fun and rewarding experience. The program is offered primarily to Wichita and Sedgwick County Hispanic and Native American high school sophomores, juniors and seniors, and is designed to strengthen students’ pre-college science, mathematics and English skills.
During the semester, each student selected an individualized project in the biological, health or physical sciences, then conducted a literature search, performed laboratory and field experiments, collected data, analyzed results, drew conclusions and wrote a paper in a scientific format. The class met for one hour each week and included instruction and supervision by members of the Newman faculty and guest lecturers. Newman University provides full scholarships to cover the cost for each student who participated in the program.
At the banquet, Newman Associate Professor of Biology Stacy Jones, Ph.D., who serves as director of the programs, gave a brief presentation about what the participants had learned during the previous two months. Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D., welcomed the students and their families to the recognition dinner. Newman University faculty and staff who helped with this year’s programs were also in attendance.
During the closing ceremony each student received a certificate and gifts provided by the Admissions Department. The evening ended with four Native American guests playing and singing several songs for the audience.
Learn more about the Newman University NHSP and NNASP programs on the Newman website: http://newmanu.edu/studynu/academic-information/scholars-programs.
For more information on the program, contact Jones at [email protected] or 316-942-4291, ext. 2116.
Students who participated in the 2016 programs are listed below by program and high school:
2016 HISPANIC SCHOLAR STUDENTS
East High School
Brian Diaz
Sharon Yanez Hernandez
North High School
Jennifer Alfaro
Esmeralda Andrade
Antonella Galleguillos
Andres Garcia
Luciana Hernandez-Garcia
Joanna Rodriguez
Micaela Saenz
Estefania Sosa
South High School
Yahaira V. Sosa
2016 NATIVE AMERICAN SCHOLAR STUDENTS
Heights High School
Hepsey Kelley
Metro Meridian
Arianna Buffalohead
North High School
Kylie Lucent
Micaela Ortiz
Northeast Magnet High School
Robin McCoy
Joan Rodriguez
Northwest High School
Malik Moody
Kirsten Sanders
Isabella Soliz
South High School
Rachel Oliver
Gwendolyn Phillips
Jaclyn Rankins
Hayley Scheck
Mariah Smallwood
Southeast High School
Olivia Lewis
Erendira Mendez
West High School
Erika Byerley
Kiana Sabbagh
