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Health & Fitness

Area Students Celebrate Transition to College

Thirty high school students in the College Bound Opportunities program celebrated their graduation and acceptance into college. Going to college and earning a degree seemed out of reach a few years ago.

College Bound Opportunities Helps 30 Scholars Realize Their College Dreams

It's graduation season and many students from high school are preparing for their next step into college. But this milestone is affecting a group of local students in an even more profound way as 30 Scholars in College Bound Opportunities' (CBO) program commemorate their graduations. CBO identifies low income high school students who would otherwise forgo college, and gives them the resources to attend and graduate college. Going to college and earning a degree seemed out of reach just a few years ago for these kids.

Without the assistance of CBO, most of these students would likely not attend college. In fact, more than 90% of the scholars in the program are the first in their families to attend college. Through a combination of student support programs, financial assistance, and one-to-one mentor relationships, CBO is helping more local youth fulfill their dreams of going to college. Beginning with a single student in 2006, CBO now supports 122 scholars in addition to 22 college graduates. "It's been nice having these people who care so much about my future," said Amy Yi, a CBO scholar who will be attending Northwestern University this fall. "I'm just really lucky to be a part of CBO."

The 30 high school graduates from Deerfield, Highland Park, and Lake Forest high schools represents the largest CBO class to enter college. In honor of their achievement, each scholar received a brand new laptop for college which is made possible through donations from the community. CBO relies exclusively on donations to support local students in need with dreams of attending college. "Without your support, we wouldn't be where we are today," said Bonnie Shlensky, CBO Board President. "I'm happy to announce that once again 100% of our scholars will be going off to college." To donate to a student's future, call 847.943.9226 or go to http://cbo4success.org.

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About College Bound Opportunities:

College Bound Opportunities (CBO) is a not-for-profit organization centered in the ten communities within Deerfield and Highland Park High School District 113 and Lake Forest Community High School District 115. CBO identifies high-achieving but under resourced young people who, without support, would likely forgo post-secondary education and assists them in applying to and completing college. CBO goals are achieved through a program of one-to-one mentoring between volunteers and scholars. Additional aid provided by CBO includes tutoring, training services, laptop computers, and up to $4,000 per year in financial support. Learn more at http://cbo4success.org




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