University of Success Seniors Graduate
Nineteen high school students graduated from The University of Scranton’s University of Success, a multi-year, pre-college program. Front row, from left: 2018 University of Success graduates Laxmi Dahl, Kaiona Nelson, Noemi Carreto, Ximena Jimenez and Delgis Belliard; and Margaret Loughney, University of Success program director. Second row: Vincent Gigliotti, Kerilyn Pon, Jennifer Bach and Isabell Hearst. Third row: Nester Ayala and Jenna O’Malley. Fourth row: Jacob McDonnell, Naruz Kadyrov and Anthony Voglino. Back row: Sergio Benavides, Kadyn Brown and Taahairah Muhammad. Absent from the photo are University of Success graduates Erika Olivares and Marissa Mae Tripus.Nineteen high school students completed The University of Scranton’s University of Success program, a multi-year, pre-college program that is designed for high school students to develop the skills needed to successfully gain acceptance to college. All the graduates have been admitted to post-secondary schools or chose to enlist in military service.
Students enter the University of Success at the completion of the eighth grade and continue through their high school years. The program offers enrichment courses in study skills, SAT prep, public speaking, math, science, art and cultural activities, as well as financial aid and wellness seminars. The ultimate goal is for University of Success students to be accepted into a four-year college or university.
The University of Success, offered free of charge to participants, is funded almost entirely by corporate and foundation grants. Donors to the program include AT&T, Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Dime Bank, Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank, Kuehner Family Foundation, MetLife Foundation, Overlook Estate Foundation, Peoples Security Bank and Trust, Prudential Foundation, Scranton Area Foundation, Waste Management, Weis Markets and Wells Fargo.
The following is a list of 2018 University of Success graduates, the high school they attended, and their post-high school plans.
Nestor Ayala of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend Pennsylvania State University;
Jennifer Bach of Simpson, Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School, plans to attend Pennsylvania State University;
Delgis Isabel Belliard of South Sterling, Wallenpaupack Area High School, plans to attend The University of Albany;
Sergio Benavides of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to enlist with the US Navy;
Kadyn Brown of Scranton, West Scranton High School, plans to attend Lackawanna College;
Noemi Carreto of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend The University of Scranton;
Laxmi Dahal of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend Wilkes University;
Vincent Gigliotti of Carbondale, Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School, plans to attend Pennsylvania State University;
Izabell Hearst of Wilkes-Barre, Meyers Junior Senior High School, plans to attend The University of the Sciences;
Ximena Jimenez of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend The University of Scranton;
Navruz Kadyrov of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to enroll in freight training classes in Jacksonville, Florida;
Jacob McDonnell of Swoyersville, Wyoming Valley West Senior High School, plans to attend The University of Scranton;
Taahairah Muhammad of Scranton, West Scranton High School, plans to attend Clarion University;
Kaiona Nelson of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend Keystone College;
Jenna O’Malley of Scranton, Scranton High School, plans to attend The University of Scranton;
Erika Olivares of Covington Township, North Pocono High School, plans to attend The University of Scranton;
Kerilyn Pon of Taylor, Riverside Junior Senior High School, plans to attend The University of Scranton;
Marissa Mae Tripus of Pocono Township, North Pocono High School, plans to attend Millersville University;
Anthony Voglino of Carbondale, Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School, plans to attend Pennsylvania State University.
For additional information, visit the University of Success web site.
