Aldine ISD End of Year 2024-25

AISD NEWS

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ALDINE YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY STUDENTS ACCEPTED INTO PRESTIGIOUS SUMMER COLLEGE PROGRAMS

Several Aldine Young Women’s Lead ership Academy (YWLA) at Parker stu dents have been accepted into highly competitive college summer programs across the country, including those hosted by Harvard, Tulane, Carnegie Mellon, and Rice universities. The students selected include: Elizabeth Brooks — Tulane University’s Architecture Program Lorraine Martínez — Carnegie Mellon University’s Architecture Program Katheryn McKenzie — Harvard Universi ty’s Astrophysics Program Theya Ogle and Addison Rogers — Rice University’s Biomedical Summer Camp Two additional students, Yeily Valenzue la and Valentina Méndez, were accepted to summer programs at University of Southern California and Barnard Col lege but will not attend due to program costs. “These opportunities are usually reserved for wealthy students building their college portfolios,” said Yanadi ra Magaña, YWLA’s college success advisor. “Our students come from diverse economic backgrounds, and this experience will help them build the confidence to thrive in spaces where they may be the minority, but are just as deserving and high-achieving as their peers.” Students submitted multiple college essays, letters of recommendation, ac ademic transcripts, and application fees to apply. Some programs offer college credit or on-campus living experiences. However, all provide the advantage of early college exposure and potential admissions boosts. “Being accepted into these programs shows colleges that these students have the work ethic, interest, and family support needed to succeed — no matter the distance,” Magaña said. YWLA supported the students through out the application process, from helping identify programs to walking

students and families through financial aid applications. Magaña often worked with students before school, during lunch, and after hours to ensure dead lines were met and essays were refined. “It was mixed emotions when I found out they were accepted,” Magaña said. “Shocked, because I’ve never had 10th graders accepted into programs like this — but also proud and validated. It confirmed that our strategy works: we create opportunities, and students seize them.” One standout moment for Magaña was learning that Katheryn McKenzie had been accepted into Harvard’s astro physics program. “She fell in love with physics in ninth grade, and when asked why she wanted to attend the program, she said, ‘I need to see if I really want to study astro physics. Maybe I won’t like it. Maybe I’ll just want to study regular physics.’ She’s 16! That kind of clarity and curios ity is powerful,” Magaña said. “With her writing, academics, and purpose, I have no doubt she’ll attend an Ivy League school in 2027.” The school encourages all students to explore summer enrichment opportu nities to expand their college options. According to Magaña, even younger students are already getting inspired. “This gives students the ‘itch’ to ex plore,” she said. “At the end of their high school journey, we want them to have choices. There’s nothing more power

ful than turning down a college offer because you have a better one, whether it’s local or across the country.” As the students head off to their sum mer programs, Magaña has one mes sage for them: “Be brave. It’s okay to be nervous or scared, but move through it. You’re worth all of this and more.” The Young Women’s Leadership Acad emy opened in the fall of 2021, and is led by Principal Jericah Jackson. YWLA, which is part of the Young Women’s Preparatory Network, will eventual ly serve girls in grades 6-12. Since it opened, the campus has been adding a new grade level each school year. The inaugural class of YWLA will graduate in May of 2027. The campus focuses on college prep, leadership, and STEM. The campus offers students multiple opportunities to engage in year-round programs including summer learning camps, academic STEM challenges, AVID, and other STEM-based college preparatory programs. The campus

is built on the foundation of a STEM curriculum with a focus on four pillars: • STEM • College Prep • Health and Wellness • Sister hood

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ALDINE ISD \\ YEAR IN REVIEW 2024-25 \\ vype.com

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