from Dr. Sandra E. Thomas
CEO/Dean of Scholars
On a hot September Saturday the Bright Futures Scholars Leadership Development Program, under the direction of Dr. Sandra E. Thomas, Dean of Scholars, held its annual registration and orientation to enroll its new class for the 2013-2014 program year.
From a program that began in 2004 with only 25 students, Bright Futures Scholars has broken all records this year, receiving more than 500 applications from students in the Pasadena Unified School District and from numerous other districts. Because of the success of the program the number of applicants tripled this program year and for the first time ever a waiting list has been established. To accommodate the large crowd, the location for the registration and orientation meeting was held at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena.
This Bright Futures Scholars Leadership Development Program prides itself on developing leadership skills in middle and high school students with cumulative grade point averages of 3.0 or better. The scholars are mentored by community and business leaders, as well as federal, state and local elected or appointed officials throughout the year. For 2013-14 the mentors are: Dean of Scholars, Dr. Sandra E. Thomas, Altadena Town Council Person; Honorary Dean, Michael Antonovich, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors; U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff; California Congresswoman Judy Chu; California State Senator Carol Liu; California Assembly Majority Whip Chris Holden; Former California Assemblyman Anthony Portantino; Mayor of Pasadena, Bill Bogaard; Pasadena Vice Mayor Jacque Robinson; Pasadena City Councilman John Kennedy; Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy Baca; Pasadena Chief of Police Phillip Sanchez; Santa Paula Chief of Police Steve McLean; Altadena Sheriff Station Captain John Benedict; C.H.P. Sheriff Captain Steve Strull; Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby; Pasadena City Manager Michael Beck; PUSD Superintendent Jon Gundry; Pasadena City College President Dr. Mark Rocha; Pasadena City Attorney Michele Bagneris; Pasadena Water and Power, General Manager Phyllis Currie; Pasadena Superior Court Judge Philip Soto; Superior Court Judge Michael Carter and Superior Court Judge Lia Martin. Each mentor spends time mentoring the scholars throughout year on group and individual sessions.
One of the most exciting events of the year is the Annual Washington, D.C. Leadership Retreat, where all scholars are offered the opportunity to attend a seven day trip to our nation’s capital. During this trip they are able to see firsthand how their government is run. The scholars spend time with all of the California Senators and Members of Congress, as well Representatives from other states. While there they have a firsthand opportunity to see how laws are made and follow process of bills becoming laws, learn the advantages in knowing their rights and responsibilities as well as how they can use this knowledge to improve their quality of life as citizens.
The program year culminates on Saturday, May 10, 2014 with the Graduation and Awards Ceremony, at the Pasadena Convention Center at which all scholars, mentors, parents and supporters come together to celebrate another successful program year. And this year’s graduation looks to break yet another record by far exceeding the average annual attendance of 1,000 people. The May ceremony will also celebrate the completion of the Bright Futures Scholars Leadership Development Program’s 10 year pilot. We are looking forward to a very successful year for this year’s “Bright Future Scholars”! -
