(Pictured: the Bright Futures Scholars class of 2009-2010)
The Quality of Life Center sends us this, celebrating their scholars:
The Quality of Life Center, Inc. and approximately 1,000 guests will honor local students from the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) during the 5th Annual Bright Futures Scholars Graduation and Awards Luncheon on Sun., June 6 from 1-4 PM at the Pasadena Convention Center.
While it has been agreed that true genius is not bound by race, color or creed, there is indeed a fourth dynamic recently proven to be a consideration, that of economic status. The Bright Futures Scholars Support Program, now in its seventh year, provides leadership development as well as personal mentoring to local middle school and high school accelerating achievers, including many with economic challenges. Carefully selected mentors encourage and provide avenues for these scholars to climb above the challenges and focus on improving their quality of life.Volunteer mentors include U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff, California State Senator Carol Liu, Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich (Honorary Dean of Scholars), Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, and many other dedicated leaders and volunteers such as physicians, clergy, corporate CEOs, attorneys, scientists, engineers, artists, educators, law enforcement officials, managers and administrators. To date, the program has assisted more than 1500 area students.
Program participants represent eleven local schools and are required to attend monthly televised meetings taped for airing four times weekly on Public Access television. In addition, scholars maintain a website and a newsletter that is circulated throughout San Gabriel Valley in public and private schools.
After completing a year of service, many Bright Futures Scholars attend a seven day Washington D.C. Leadership Spring Retreat where they gain knowledge in exercising their constitutional rights and actually discuss issues and pending legislation with members of congress, senators and others on Capitol Hill.
This is possibly one of the many things that make the programs created by Dr. Sandra Thomas, Dean of Scholars and CEO of the Quality of Life Center, Inc, so promising. She has assembled groups of students, from as diverse an ethnic and economic base as you are ever likely to find, but who share one commonality—these students are academic achievers with a dream. They are encouraged to reach for their stars, believe in themselves and work hard to accomplish great things.
Dr. Thomas stated, "The program is designed to fill a particular gap in the educational system. In our effort to leave no student behind, we have somehow, at times, neglected many of our brightest. Through the scholars program, academically gifted students are given the extra attention and developmental opportunities needed to excel and become tomorrow's leaders. They exemplify what can be accomplished when positive exposure is offered to young scholars truly focused on making a difference for themselves."
For further information on the Quality of Life Center and the graduation and awards luncheon, contact La Wanda Burnes (626)798-5433. email:qualityoflifecenterinc@yahoo.com
or go to our website: www.qualityoflifecenterinc.com
