Jordan White, a graduating senior from Georgetown Day in Washington DC, would make any parent proud. She studied AP Psychology and Mandarin Chinese in high school. She organized a school "breakfast club" around her love of orange juice. She received a full scholarship to attend Oberlin College starting in the fall. And for all these accomplishments, Jordan says she's got the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) to thank. The program provides scholarships for low-income families to send their children to private schools in DC. Congress decided to cancel OSP funding starting in 2010. The program now faces a steep, uphill battle for survival, a fact that hung plainly in the air at last night's OSP graduation ceremony. Jordan used part of her graduation speech as a plea to keep OSP alive.
"I'd like to say to the decision-makers on Capitol Hill and of the District of Columbia--before any political decisions are made against a program such as this, look at us here today! Talk to us! Listen to us! Hear what we say and feel what we mean!" Jordan said. "More importantly, look toward the future of the children coming up after us who need the same opportunity that we have been given. Every parent and every child should have a choice in education."
Jordan White, a graduating senior from Georgetown Day, was one of two student speakers during Tuesday's OSP graduation ceremony at Archbishop Carroll High School in Northeast DC. Jordan will attend Oberlin College on a full scholarship starting in the fall.
Koueni Tchamambe, who just graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School, gets help with his tie from Upoma Uddin before Tuesday night's graduation ceremony. Koueni has been accepted at Virginia State University, where he hopes to study to become a pharmacist.
The audience gives OSP graduates a standing ovation as they walk into the auditorium.
Shirley-Ann Tomdio, a graduating eighth grader from Sacred Heart School, chats onstage after giving her graduation speech. She will attend Georgetown Visitation this fall. "Sacred Heart, my Principal, my family, my hard work, and the Opportunity Scholarship all made going to Georgetown Visitation possible," she said. "The D.C. OSP is important to me because without it I wouldn't be able to receive the best education possible. It should continue so that my sister, brother and other students get the same chance. Every child should get the chance to go to a good school."
Jesus Martinez, father of graduating eighth grader Gabriela Martinez, takes pictures as his daughter walks across the stage to accept her certificate.
About 50 OSP students participated in Tuesday night's graduation celebration.
Francisco Garcia Diaz, a graduating 8th grader from San Miguel School, poses with his certificate, his mom Alma Diaz and his brother Julian Garcia Diaz after the graduation celebration. "Three years he's in the scholarship program," said Alma Diaz. "He's high in mathematics and reading and science. Before, he had Ds, Cs, Fs. Now, I'm very proud."
