SEED Gives Thanks. Donor Spotlight - Meggie Sheehan Helps to Make a Connection

At SEED, we firmly believe that all young people—regardless of their financial circumstance—should have the tools and support they need to realize their dreams. So, when we meet community members who are also passionate about educational equity, we get really excited! (Who doesn’t like connecting with someone who has a shared interest and passion?)

We recently spoke with Meggie Sheehan, who learned about SEED last year after doing an online search for educational programs in the DC metro area. She found SEED on Charity Navigator and was impressed by SEED’s rating. Since that search, Meggie has been a friend of SEED, and she has connected us to her co-workers at StellaPop, a management and creative consulting company where she works.   

Thanks to Meggie, StellaPop included SEED on its holiday list of charities they support and provided $1,000 in metro cards to SEED DC students to help them get to and from their dual-enrollment courses. StellaPop employees are also planning to teach our graduates how to build their personal brands as they prepare for the professional workplace. Check out our recent conversation with Meggie.

Why do you support SEED?

I think investing in helping young people succeed is so important. I also feel it’s important to give a leg up to youth who could potentially fall behind.

As a child, I benefited from being busy and being provided with a lot of material to study and learn from. I often think about how my life would be different if I went to another school that didn’t invest in me. I see that SEED invests in its students, and that’s why I have chosen to support SEED.

What attracted you to SEED?

I was impressed by SEED’s statistics. The number of SEED graduates that go on to complete college is inspiring. I also remember receiving a newsletter that highlighted a student who was able to travel abroad because of SEED’s support. It made me really happy to read about the opportunities that are available to SEED students.   

Can you tell me a bit about how StellaPop helps the community?  

This holiday season, we chose twelve organizations to support over twelve days. We call it the twelve days of Christmas. Our goal is to help local charities in a variety of ways. Examples include delivering turkeys to individuals who are homeless and donating comfort cases for children living in foster care.

StellaPop started this campaign in order to give back to the community and to highlight organizations who are making a difference. A few of the charities we support include the Virginia Coalition for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, Inc. (VCPEA), StillBrave Childhood Cancer Foundation, and SEED.

Is there anything else you want to add?

When looking for an organization to support, I wanted to ensure my dollar went far. Because SEED has a good score, I felt comfortable with making a gift and telling my co-workers about SEED.

I look forward to volunteering with SEED and being more hands-on in the future.

Happy Holidays from SEED!

As we prepare to spend some quality time with family and friends this holiday season, we are also taking time to reflect.   

At SEED, we have the pleasure of serving remarkable students who are defying the odds and charting their own paths towards college completion. Here’s just a small slice of what our scholars accomplished this year:

In our first issue of The SEED Spark, we featured Monae Scott (SEED DC ‘19), an exceptional SEED student, who was selected as a POSSE Scholar, earning a full scholarship to Sewanee: The University of the South. Monae also joined 14 other SEED scholars who received over $40,000 in SEED Foundation Scholarships in 2019.  The following month, we shared how the SEED Tax Prep Ambassadors, a cohort of scholars from SEED DC, assisted in filing taxes for low and middle-income residents in wards 7 and 8 of Washington, D.C. These scholars worked closely with their clients to schedule appointments, provide consultations, and input tax information. At the end of tax season, they had successfully helped residents claim $110,000 in tax credits to their community! It’s amazing to know that our scholars are learning life skills to help themselves and others.

Last spring, we highlighted SEED scholar-artists. SEED DC’s Falcon Theatre traveled to Sacramento, California, for the Junior Theater Festival, a musical theater adjudication festival that brings together over 2,000 students from 42 schools representing multiple states and countries. After several award-winning performances, our scholar-artists earned their second invitation to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the summer of 2020. SEED DC is now raising funds to ensure that the students can participate.

There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing our scholars’ accomplishments showcased at high school graduation each year. In June, both SEED DC and SEED MD celebrated a 99% graduation rate, with alumni from the class of 2019 now attending colleges and universities across the country. As you know, their journeys with SEED don’t end there! SEED’s College Transition & Success team is there to support our scholars in college and beyond.

To close out the year, we’re proud to announce our new InfoArmor Cyber Lab opening at SEED MD! (Learn more below). Our scholars are excited to have new opportunities to learn about the tech industry and build high-tech skills to compete for 21st-century careers.

Looking Forward

2020 will be another year of firsts for SEED. The SEED School of Miami will welcome their inaugural senior class! We’re also continuing to garner support for The SEED School of Los Angeles, scheduled to open its doors in 2022. As our community grows, we’re reminded to stay true to our core values, Respect, Responsibility, Perseverance, Integrity, Compassion, Gratitude, and Growth, which bind us together.

Thank you for being part of the SEED community and providing our scholars with opportunities, resources, and community they need to achieve their dreams! None of our achievements are possible without you.

Our Impact: Social and Emotional Learning Is a Critical Element of SEED’s Program Model

When The SEED School of Washington, D.C., first opened its doors in 1998, founders Eric Adler and Rajiv Vinnakota had one goal in mind—to provide a quality education to low-income students so that they could earn a college degree. Over 20 years later, we’ve developed a comprehensive program model to help all SEED students (and graduates) succeed.  The SEED program model includes three elements that are critical to helping students and graduates get to and through college: college preparatory academics, college knowledge and advising, and social and emotional learning.

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an important part of our program model because SEED students come from varying backgrounds, and some students have experienced life situations that have adversely impacted their academic performance and personal growth. We believe that incorporating SEL into our daily curriculum is key to teaching our students to interpret, transform, and combat their experiences. 

SEL programming at SEED is informed by the work of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). Formed in 1994, CASEL set out to establish a high-quality, evidence-based SEL curriculum as an essential part of preschool through high school education. Over the years, CASEL has produced several guides and tool kits to teach educators how to implement effective social and emotional learning programs. A 2013 report called The Missing Piece, which presents the findings of a nationwide survey of teachers, found that CASEL’s award-winning research has strong support among teachers, who indicated that they want quality SEL programs for their students and believe that SEL is critical to their students’ education. 

Piloting SEL at SEED DC

With the help of Stacey Pearl, assistant head of school at SEED DC, we recently piloted a CASEL program called Restorative Justice. Restorative Justice is the process of rehabilitating students who demonstrate consistent behavioral concerns through reconciliation with victims of such behavior and the community at large. At SEED DC, students and staff are using both restorative and proactive circles to get to the root of conflict, rather than simply punishing those involved. Within these circles, students learn to discuss their issues, listen to different perspectives, and come to peaceful agreements. In certain instances, multiple circles are required to provide long-term solutions to deeper issues.

“Children need more than a nurturing environment to thrive in all aspects of life. Social and emotional instruction is both explicit and implicit. It has to be taught, modeled, practiced, and supported in order for students to effectively learn each skill,” Ms. Pearl said.

In the future, SEED looks forward to introducing additional CASEL programs across the SEED network and into our student life curriculum. It will be tailored to meet our students’ personal needs and provide them with the skills to socially and emotionally thrive.

Where Are They Now? Lewis Carney (SEED DC ’10, Xavier University ’14) Is Building a Career at Cintas Corporation

SEED’s primary mission is to prepare our students for success in college and beyond. Through our personalized approach—which begins the moment our students set foot on our campuses and continues through their time in college—we make sure our students have the skills and knowledge to excel in college and in their careers.    

Lewis Carney (SEED DC ’10) is one SEED student who realized the value of individualized support and learned that not all college students are afforded this valuable resource.

“I appreciated the support of Ms. Baker Jones and the entire College Transition & Success program throughout my tenure at Xavier University. I thought having your personal college advisor visit you in college was normal. I soon realized that my peers did not have college counselors to assist them once they graduated from high school.”

Now an account executive at Cintas Corporation, Lewis attributes much of his success to SEED’s support. Check out our recent conversation with Lewis.

What college or university did you attend?

I attended Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I received a bachelor of science in business marketing.

How was your transition from SEED to college?

I don’t think anyone can be 100% ready for college. However, SEED’s unique culture and structure provided me with the tools and fundamentals to be successful in college. For example, SEED’s boarding environment helped me learn efficient time management. I learned how to balance a weekend job and a marketing internship—all while remaining on the honor roll.

At SEED, I was also pushed out of my comfort zone and consistently challenged. I was surrounded by competitive students, and I enrolled in rigorous AP courses that helped to prepare me for college-level coursework. I felt more prepared than most of my peers at Xavier University.

Did you stay connected to SEED while in college?

While I was away at college, I was not able to get home often, but when I was in town, I would visit SEED and attend College Transition & Success (CTS) events.  

Ms. Baker Jones was my CTS advisor, and we stayed in contact throughout my tenure at Xavier University. She would check in with me to provide great advice, help me with financial aid, and even visit me on campus occasionally.

What are you doing now that you have graduated from college? 

After graduating from Xavier University, I stayed in Ohio and began a career at Cintas Corporation in Uniforms and Facility Services. My first position was as a management trainee. Within two years, I was promoted to a training and compliance instructor. Today, I am still employed with Cintas Corporation. I am working as an account executive and have relocated to Boston, Massachusetts.

How did your experience at SEED impact you?

My experience at SEED had a huge impact on me. While at SEED, I had the opportunity to travel to Greece and Zambia. I built strong bonds with my SEED peers—who are now like my brothers and sisters. And I was surrounded by positive adults who allowed me to learn and grow from my mistakes.

These experiences, and so many more, helped me become a mature and successful adult. I owe a lot of my accomplishments to SEED and the CTS team.    

Our Impact: SEED’s FAFSA Completion Night Helps Families Meet Crucial Deadlines and Milestones

Whether you’re a recent high school graduate, a returning college student, or a working professional looking to further your education, chances are you’ll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your financial aid eligibility.

Unfortunately, there are many common mistakes that students and families make when filling out the FAFSA, such as reporting the incorrect household size, filing for the wrong academic year, and failing to list all the colleges to which the student has applied. That’s why our College Transition & Success (CTS) team holds an annual FAFSA Completion Night. Our goal is to help students and their parents to properly submit the FAFSA and, ultimately, for students to graduate from college with minimal to no debt.

This month, the CTS team hosted more than 50 seniors and their families from SEED DC and SEED MD for a deep dive into the FAFSA completion process. The timing of this event is extremely important. To receive the most aid, college access professionals recommend that seniors submit their FAFSA applications as early as possible.

At FAFSA Completion Night, attendees receive a detailed overview of the total cost of attendance at a college or university, also known as the “sticker price.” Our college success advisors then discuss the different types of financial aid students can use to fund their college education, such as scholarships, grants (federal and state), work-study, and federal student loans. Lastly, parents are asked to bring select personal documents to participate in one-on-one sessions with a college success advisor, to make sure every application is completed and submitted on time.

Learn more about the hidden costs of college.

What We’re Learning: Following Our Freshmen as They Embark on a New Journey

This fall, SEED’s college success advisors are packing up and heading out for another travel season. They are off to meet with 2019 SEED graduates at colleges and universities across the country, such as Emory University, Johns Hopkins University, Frostburg State University, North Carolina AT&T State University, Cleveland Institute of Art, and more!

Every SEED graduate in their first semester of college receives a visit from a SEED college success advisor. We also visit SEED graduates who have transferred to a new college or need additional support. 

We love visiting our scholars and hearing about their personal college experiences! These visits also give our team the opportunity to build relationships with our college partners and to stay up to date on any academic or financial issues that could hinder our students’ ability to complete college.

Want to keep up with our visits?

Please follow us on Instagram, follow the hashtag #SEEDGradsSucceed, or check out our posts on Facebook. 

Learn more about our College Transition & Success program.

Where Are They Now? Arnice Cottom (SEED DC ’11, Elizabeth City State University ’15, Trinity Washington University ’18) Pursues Her PhD

When a student graduates from SEED, our relationship doesn’t end. We understand that every educational path looks different, and that’s why we support our graduates to and through college.  

Arnice Cottom (SEED DC ‘11) has secured her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is currently pursuing her PhD in Health Communications. She knows that even though she graduated from SEED eight years ago, she still has a team of advisors, mentors, and cheerleaders standing behind her every step of the way.

Amid studying and starting a career in marketing, Arnice still finds time to visit our office and to help design programming for SEED’s younger graduates. During one of her recent visits, she took a few minutes to share a bit about her journey at SEED.

What college or university did you attend?

I attended Elizabeth City State University, where I received my bachelor’s degree in mass communications, with a concentration in advertising and public relations and a minor in music. I then attended Trinity Washington University, where I received my master’s in strategic communications and public relations.

How was your transition from SEED to college?

My transition from SEED to college was very interesting. When I started, I was excited about the freedom of being able to do what I wanted. But as I started to settle in, I realized that I needed to utilize all the skills that I learned at SEED (time management, studying skills, etc.) in order to truly take advantage of my college experience and excel. 

Did you stay connected to SEED while in college?

I was very connected to SEED while I was in college. Ms. Blacknall, my college success advisor, played a pivotal role in my success in my undergraduate career. When I was at my lowest point, being able to express myself to my advisor and the College Transition & Success Team was essential.

What are you doing now that you have graduated from college?  

I am a communications associate with the American Public Health Association in Washington, D.C. It’s nice to work in my field of study. I am also currently pursuing my PhD. I have applied to American University and hope to hear from them soon.

How did your experience at SEED impact you?

For me, SEED was my extended family. I needed a village of supporters to help me grow into the person that I am today. I was exposed to new things both academically and personally, I gained skills that I still use to this day, and I was given opportunities to showcase my talents. Without SEED, I know I wouldn’t be where I am now.

Meet Our Students: Julius Moye (SEED DC ‘20) Sees Many Stars in His Future

Julius Moye (SEED DC ‘20) began his journey at SEED as a sixth-grade scholar determined to become a college graduate. Now in his senior year, Julius credits SEED for giving him the resources and space to grow into an independent young adult.

“I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for the responsibilities I took on at SEED over the years.”

On campus, Julius is seen as a leader. For a second year, he will serve as a lead mentor in Peer Group Connection. In this role, he helps rising ninth-grade students adjust to living and studying at a boarding school. “I wasn’t sure if I was the best fit for this position, but as the year went on, I really began to love it. I decided to be a lead mentor again this year.” 

When asked what his ideal career would be, all roads lead to space—literally!

Julius has dreams of exploring the stars above us. He has always been passionate about science and space exploration, and with the guidance of his teacher, Julius signed up for space camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, in seventh grade. This experience deepened Julius’s desire to study astronomy. “Space camp was an amazing experience! I would love to work for NASA one day.”

As Julius approaches high school graduation, he wants to enroll in college as a computer science or mathematics major. “I’m looking forward to working with my college counselor, Mr. Jordan Frasier, and getting his advice on what colleges are the right fit for me.”     

We’re so proud of Julius’s progress! Julius is one of SEED’s 2020 scholarship recipients, and we are certain he will achieve his dreams. “I understand the importance of getting good grades. I’ve been given so many opportunities because of my grades, and I really am looking forward to also excelling in college.”   

Our Impact: SEED’s Values Bind Us Together

The glue that binds the SEED community together is our core values and beliefs. In June, we rolled out our updated core values at our SEED Summit—an annual all-staff retreat.

We also kicked off the school year by proudly displaying our values on each campus and hosting conversations with students about living our values every day.

As a member of our SEED community, we wanted to share with you our values and beliefs. Please take a look.

I show RESPECT for all people by being civil, cordial, courteous, and having unconditional appreciation for the value and dignity of all people and things.

I display RESPONSIBILITY by taking ownership and being accountable for my words, actions, and results.

I exemplify PERSEVERANCE by having steady commitment, persistence, and patience, even when there are obstacles or discouragement.

I act with INTEGRITY by being honest and fair and doing the right thing even when no one is looking.

I exhibit COMPASSION by showing concern and empathy, being helpful, and supporting others.

I show GRATITUDE by extending kindness and expressing appreciation for the gifts, time, and talent of others. 

I demonstrate GROWTH through my commitment to excellence, continuous improvement, and learning.

Where Are They Now? Patrice Willis (SEED DC ‘06, Ohio Wesleyan University ‘10), Has the Career of Her Dreams

“My time at SEED gave me the best possible path to college, and now I have a career that I love.” For us, there’s nothing better than hearing about our graduates’ successes. 

Patrice Willis (SEED DC ‘06) is one SEED graduate who has fulfilled her dreams. With SEED’s guidance, she had the tools to effectively navigate the college access and success process. Today, she has the job of her dreams. “I always wanted to go to college. And because of SEED, I had the right supports which helped to make my dreams come true.”

We love to hear from our graduates and learn about their transitions from college to career. Patrice recently met with us to share her journey. 

What college or university did you attend?

I attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where I majored in journalism. 

How was your transition from SEED to college? 

My transition was pretty easy. I felt academically prepared because of the study habits I learned at SEED. I also felt comfortable with jumping right into a new environment. At SEED, I was a part of several clubs and extra-curriculum activities including basketball, tennis, cheerleading, yearbook, and I was the school mascot. These experiences helped with my transition.

Did you stay connected to SEED while in college?

Yes, I did! Ms. Vincena Allen, chief growth officer and a founding staff member of the College Transition & Success program, reached out to me every month when I was in college. I received gift baskets and in-person visits as well. She helped me with everything from financial aid to my resume. She also provided a listening ear when I had a challenge in school or a rough day. Honestly, as the College Transition & Success (CTS) team expanded, anyone in the office was available when I needed them. 

What did you after graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University?

Currently, I am a kindergarten teacher, and I love it! I’m also going back to school to obtain a master’s degree. My goal is to become a school counselor.

How did your experience at SEED impact you? 

My counselors made me feel like I was a star. They made me feel like I could do whatever I wanted to do and that there was always going to be someone in my corner. This individualized support paired with classes like Senior Seminar helped us fill out college applications and apply for scholarships—it really made a difference.

Touring several different colleges and being surrounded by college graduates and mentors really motivated me to find the school that fit me best.

Our Impact: SEED DC Scholar-Artists Are Headed to Scotland!

Educating the whole student is a priority for SEED—and The SEED Falcon Theatre is a great example of our work to promote the creative and performing arts to all SEED students, regardless of artistic ability.

The SEED Falcon Theatre was selected to perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the summer of 2020. This is a huge honor and the second time that Falcon Theatre has received this invitation. The annual Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the largest and most prestigious arts festivals in the world and includes over 3,000 different performances by artists from all over the world.

This spring, Falcon Theatre also traveled to Sacramento, California, for the Junior Theater Festival, a musical theater adjudication festival that brings together over 2,000 students from 42 schools representing multiple states and countries.

SEED DC scholar and SEED Foundation Scholarship recipient De’Nayia Bennett (SEED DC ‘19) kicked off the festival by singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” to thunderous applause. In addition, SEED scholars Malik Ivey (SEED DC ‘19) and Leona Greene (SEED DC ‘22) were selected as Performance All-Stars.

Congratulations to all the SEED DC scholar-artists who participated in The SEED Falcon Theatre this year. We’d like to especially thank Dr. LaMar Bagley, artistic director of Falcon Theatre, who has dedicated the last 14 years of his performing arts career to developing and nurturing SEED DC artists.

P.S. This summer, The SEED Falcon Theatre will perform at the DC Black Theatre & Arts Festival, which runs from June 21 to July 7. Mark your calendar and check out the show!

Meet Our Students: Yazmine Ali (SEED DC '20) Dreams of Becoming a Cardiovascular Surgeon

Eleventh grade is a crucial year for college-bound students nationwide. Balancing classes, extracurricular activities, and the preliminary phases of college admissions can seem nearly impossible, yet Yazmine Ali (SEED DC ‘20) has found a way to make it work.

In addition to being an honor-roll student, Yazmine is an active member of The SEED Falcon Theatre and the SEED Falcon volleyball, soccer, and track teams. Her involvement with extracurricular activities at SEED doesn’t end there—Yazmine is also a Peer Group Connection leader. In this role, she mentors and gives advice to incoming ninth-grade students who are adjusting to the rigor of SEED’s high school courses. “I love being involved with Peer Group Connection. It feels great to know that I’m helping to ease the transition for our incoming students.”

Yazmine’s leadership extends beyond SEED’s incoming ninth graders. She has already racked up more than 70 community service hours by volunteering at DC Central Kitchen, where she assists with cooking and packaging meals for the elderly, homeless, and ill. Yazmine has also traveled to Santana do Deserto, Brazil, with SEED DC’s Experiential Learning & External Opportunities program. Her most memorable moment from the trip was aiding a young boy suffering from a severe cut on his foot. She cleaned and bandaged his wound and provided him with a pair of her own socks to protect the injury and reduce the risk of infection. This experience, coupled with her internship at Children’s National Hospital, has inspired Yazmine to declare a biology pre-med major in pursuit of her dream to become a cardiovascular surgeon.

Clearly Yazmine is on the path to success, and her accomplishments have led to being a recipient of the 2020 SEED Foundation Scholarship! We admire her ambition and look forward to learning which college she will be heading to in fall 2020.

Our Impact: Can You Say, “Road Trip”?!

Getting to and through college is no small feat. That’s why we do everything we can to set our students up for success.

This year, the college counselors and college success advisors from SEED’s College Transition & Success team hosted 70 SEED juniors on the annual college tour for juniors. Students from SEED DC and SEED MD visited seven colleges, including Albertus Magnus College, Amherst College, Rider University, Rutgers University—Camden, Swarthmore College, West Chester University, and Wilkes University.

The goal of the tour is to give students a keen grasp on what a college looks, feels, and even tastes like! In addition to touring campus housing and buildings, students met college students and asked questions during a panel discussion.

“The majority of our students will be the first members of their families to go to college. Thus, college tours give them real-life exposure to different campuses,” said Joi Baker Jones, director of College Transition & Success. “Our goal is to demystify the experience so that they feel like college is a place where they will thrive and belong.

The colleges and universities selected for the annual tour must be SEED endorsed, which means they must have a track record of success for underrepresented students. Through our College Matching Tier System, we evaluate colleges on three criteria most vital to the success of low-income, first-generation students. First, we assess the quality and availability of campus supports. Second, we rank colleges based on the generosity of their financial aid packages. It’s critical to us that our students not take on lots of debt in order to obtain their degrees. Third, we look at the graduation rate of each institution. Only institutions with strong graduation rates are endorsed. SEED has ranked over 400 colleges and universities based on their performance in these three areas.

“In the same way that students need to be college ready, we believe that colleges need to be student ready, especially when it comes to serving underrepresented students,” said Vincena Allen, chief growth officer at SEED.

Ensuring that SEED students go to a SEED-endorsed school pays off. Sixty four percent of all SEED graduates who start at SEED-endorsed schools graduate. That’s more than four times the rate for students who start at colleges that are not SEED endorsed.

“Our data shows that choosing a right-fit college can make all the difference for our students,” said Ms. Allen. “We’re committed to ensuring that our students and families become informed consumers and better understand what to look for in a college. Choosing a college is one of the most important life decisions you can make. We want to be sure that SEED graduates get it right.”

Malik Conway (SEED MD ‘20) enrolled in SEED MD as a sixth-grade student and is now in his junior year of high school. He joined this year’s college tour. “I was so excited to visit West Chester University, Wilkes College, and Rider University to see what college is really like. This tour has allowed me to broaden my horizons. I’ve always wanted to go to college. It’s hard to believe that I may be a student at one of these schools very soon.”

What We're Learning: SEED DC Scholars Serve the Community and Learn Real-World Skills as Tax Prep Ambassadors

For some of us, filing our taxes is as simple as working with a tax professional or creating an online account with a tax services provider, submitting the necessary documents, and pressing send. Unfortunately, for many residents in Wards 7 and 8 in Washington, D.C., the story is quite different.

Peter Nouhan, a graduate student at Georgetown University, saw a need for professional tax services for underserved populations who don’t have access to technology in these communities. He decided to start the first high-school-led, free tax prep initiative in Washington, D.C., offering a unique opportunity for local college-bound students to serve their community.

After receiving the 2018 Baker Innovation Grant, a $20,000 grant to fund social and political programs, Mr. Nouhan partnered with Community Tax Aid (CTA), a free, local tax assistance organization, and Hoya Taxa, a Georgetown University undergraduate student organization, to pilot the SEED Tax Prep Ambassadors program.

“We approached over 30 schools in the DC area, and Lesli Thompson, director of experiential learning & external opportunities at SEED DC, was the only person who took the leap. She believed in our initiative. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without her,” Mr. Nouhan said.

Every Monday evening, beginning on February 4, the SEED Tax Prep Ambassadors went to St. Luke Catholic Church to learn how to properly prepare tax documents, which included collecting the client’s tax documents, photo ID, and Social Security card and uploading them to a secure Google Drive account. With the help of Ron Hayes, tax program manager at CTA, and Hoya Taxa members Daphne Chiang (Georgetown University ’19) and Mark McNiskin (Georgetown University ’20), the SEED scholars worked closely with their clients to schedule appointments, provide consultations, and input tax information. A certified public accountant then prepared the taxes remotely, and the clients returned a week later to go over their returns and submit them.

“Because of this program, I learned what it means to be an effective multitasker and successfully handle multiple clients at one time,” said Kendriss Johnson (SEED DC ’19).

Congratulations to the following SEED DC scholars—Zachary Clark (SEED DC ’19), London Hart (SEED DC ’19), Kendriss Johnson (SEED DC ’19), Jeffrey Moore IV (SEED DC ’19), Imani Nixon (SEED DC ’19), and Jaymar Richards (SEED DC ’19)—for making history by being a part of such an amazing initiative and serving their community!

Where Are They Now? Monique Matthews (SEED DC ’04, Southeastern University ’09, Trinity Washington University ’12) Celebrates 13 Years with the US Government

At SEED, we begin to offer intensive college preparation to our students their junior year of high school. Our students learn how to financially prepare for college, tour colleges and universities across the country, and enroll in a semester-long course focused on ensuring a smooth transition from SEED to college life.

But we know that unexpected challenges that may arise while in college can derail our students’ college dreams. That’s why SEED’s College Transition & Success team is here to help every SEED student throughout the entire college process—from junior year of high school to college graduation.

Monique Matthews (SEED DC ’04) hit a snag her freshman year and began to rethink her college journey. With the support of Vincena Allen, who founded the College Transition & Success program, Monique remained on track and persisted to college completion.

This month, we spoke to Monique to learn more about her college journey and where she is now.

What college or university did you attend?

I attended Southeastern University, where I majored in public health and clinical science.

How was your transition from SEED to college?

My transition from SEED was hard, because I initially chose to attend a college that was not the best fit for me. I thank Ms. Vincena Allen for helping me successfully get through my freshman year. There were many days I wanted to quit because I was unhappy, but she continued to support me and encouraged me to finish the year strong—and I did. By my sophomore year, I was enrolled at Southeastern University—and there I found what “worked” for me. I got into a better rhythm and took full advantage of every opportunity.

Did you stay connected to SEED while in college?

While in college, I participated in many SEED events, including the Alumni Institute [now the SEED Graduate Institute]. I am thankful for the friendships and relationships I built at SEED, because they helped me to navigate the college process and to overcome any obstacles.

What did you do after graduating from Southeastern University?

After graduating from Southeastern University in 2009, I took a year off from school to focus on establishing my career in the federal government. I had a desire to obtain my master’s degree. Ms. Allen was there to support my goal and cheer me along the way, and in 2010 I enrolled at Trinity Washington University and graduated in 2012 with a Master of Public Community Health degree.

I will be celebrating 13 years of working in the federal government this September! I currently serve as a program manager at the US Department of Labor, where I manage the department’s services and programs that help our employees maintain a healthy work-life balance.

How did your experience at SEED impact you?

My experience at SEED has impacted me in more ways than one. I learned that only I am in control of my success and not to compare my success to others around me. This has helped me remain focused on the bigger picture and my long-term goals.

SEED has also provided me with a tremendous support system. Having a dream is great, but having a group of people behind you, pushing you to be a better you with every breath in their bodies—there is no feeling greater.

SEED continues to be a significant part of my life. The relationships I formed at SEED 20 years ago still thrive today. I am the woman I have become today mostly because of SEED. I am proud to say I am a SEED alumna and proud of my experience.

What We’re Learning: Acceleration Academies Work!

At SEED, we’re committed to using evidence-based practices to improve our academic instruction and help our students succeed.

That’s why, last spring, we piloted an Acceleration Academy with students at SEED DC. Acceleration Academies provide targeted instruction in English language arts and math during a school vacation. We learned about this powerful intervention through research conducted on a district-wide improvement effort in Lawrence, Massachusetts, which found that the Acceleration Academies had a significant impact on student achievement and accounted for a larger proportion of learning gains than all the other strategies combined.

Instead of having fun in the sun during their spring break, nearly 40 SEED students participated in the Acceleration Academy. The students spent 20 hours over a five-day period honing their skills and mastering content aligned with the PARCC standardized test.

SEED’s Acceleration Academy worked!

• Fifty-two (52) percent of students who participated in the Acceleration Academy improved their raw score on PARCC, compared to 12 percent of students who did not participate in the Acceleration Academy.

• Thirty-two (32) percent of students who participated in the Acceleration Academy improved their PARCC performance level (PARCC has five levels of achievement), compared to 12 percent of students who did not participate in the Acceleration Academy. 

During our February 2019 winter break, we held another Acceleration Academy at SEED DC and are waiting to see the results.

Going forward, we’re excited about piloting more Acceleration Academies and other evidence-based practices across the network to help all SEED students improve.

Our Impact: SEED DC Celebrates Founders Day

“Good afternoon, scholars!”

“Good afternoon.”

“I am sure you can do better than that. Good afternoon, scholars!”

“Good afternoon!”

On March 6, Mecha Inman, the head of school for The SEED School of Washington, D.C., kicked off Founders Day 2019 with this energetic greeting to scholars. SEED DC’s annual Founders Day celebration is an opportunity for scholars, staff, and graduates—the entire SEED family—to celebrate the accomplishments of fellow SEED community members. It’s also a time to remember why Eric Adler and Rajiv Vinnakota, co-founders of SEED and current SEED Foundation board members, started The SEED Foundation: They aspired to build the nation’s first network of college-preparatory boarding schools to provide youth living in low-income communities with an excellent education.

Founders Day is also a time to recognize eleventh and twelfth-grade scholars who have made significant contributions to SEED’s mission and vision. This year, the Vinnakota Award, was given to two remarkable scholars—Jeffrey Moore IV (SEED DC ’19) and Imani Nixon (SEED DC ’19).

Jeffrey and Imani are both members of the Peer Group Connection, where they serve as leaders and mentors for their fellow scholars. In addition, both students model the SEED mission by taking advantage of the many opportunities that SEED offers, such as traveling internationally with SEED’s Experiential Learning & External Opportunities program, performing with The SEED Falcon Theatre, and more!

“Founders Day is a wonderful time to celebrate and share our rich history and our mission with scholars, staff, and other stakeholders,” said, Ms. Inman. “We look forward to announcing the winners of the Vinnakota Award, and honoring our long-time staff members.”

Finally, Founders Day is a time to recognize outstanding SEED teachers and faculty. Teachers who have served the school for four years receive a special chair to recognize their tenure at SEED and their commitment to SEED scholars. This year’s honorees were Brendan Dowd, campus operations manager; Alexis Holloway, school receptionist; Marjorie Howard, government grants manager; Davette Nutridge, special education teacher; Michael Street, director of information technology; Tina Taylor, student life counselor; and Nakeda Walker, administrative assistant.