Greenhouse Scholars Announces Class of 2020, 22 Young Leaders Who Will Change the World

BOULDER, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Greenhouse
Scholars, an education based non-profit organization, has announced
its Class of 2020. The 22 students from Colorado, Illinois, and Georgia
join another 185 current Scholars and alums of the highly selective
4-year program.

Greenhouse Scholars is dedicated to cultivating leaders who will change
low-income families and communities through a “Whole Person” approach
which includes mentorship, peer support, internships, professional
networking, leadership conferences, flex funding grants, and a tuition
scholarship. With a 90% college graduation rate compared to the national
average of 11% for low-income students, the program’s model of
comprehensive support has proven successful, helping the Scholars make
the most of their college experience so that they may serve as leaders
and role models for others before and after graduation.

Greenhouse Scholars Class of 2020 by the numbers:

• 22 Scholars: Colorado – 9, Illinois – 9, Georgia – 4
  • Colorado Scholars’ hometowns: Aurora, Denver, and Glenwood Springs
  • Illinois Scholars’ hometowns: Aurora, Chicago, Loves Park, Waukegan
  • Georgia Scholars’ hometowns: Athens, Atlanta, Dutchtown

  “We are thrilled to welcome these exceptional students as Greenhouse
  Scholars,” said Pete Burridge, President and CEO of Greenhouse Scholars.
  “At a young age and with the odds often stacked against them, they have
  shown incredible character, leadership, relentlessness, and dedication
  to improve the lives of their families and others in their communities.
  We look forward to welcoming them into our community, helping them grow,
  and watching them achieve their potential.”

  While in many respects this year’s incoming class of Scholars parallels
  those that have come before them, the students have their own unique
  stories of relentlessness, drive, and passion. A sampling of their
  stories:

  • Arriving in the US from Ghana as a freshman in High School as a
    non-English speaker, one young man from Illinois rose above the
    bullying he endured to receive an A in AP English, take advanced STEM
    courses, become captain of the soccer team, and graduate in the top 5%
    of his class.
  • Raised by a hard-working single mother of three, at times a young man
    from Colorado had no place to call home but through a focus on
    education and positivity, he was elected Vice President of Student
    Government, captain of the basketball team, and President of his High
    School’s student tutoring program, and will be the first in his family
    to go to college.
  • A young woman from Georgia with a passion for medicine became a
    Certified Nursing Assistant as a Junior in High School, organized
    mentoring and community service opportunities for her peers, was named
    Georgia’s Most Positive Athlete in Girls’ Tennis, and graduated in the
    top 3% of her class.

  To be selected as a Greenhouse Scholar, each student must demonstrate
  exceptional academic performance, leadership, community service, and a
  financial need. The highly selective application process includes a
  written application, letters of recommendation, and an in-person
  interview with a committee of Greenhouse Scholars personnel and
  volunteers. Only eight percent of applicants were invited to join the
  Class of 2020.

  A complete list of the incoming class of Greenhouse Scholars and their
  stories can be found here: http://bit.ly/ghs2020

  About Greenhouse Scholars

  Greenhouse Scholars, an education based non-profit organization founded
  in 2005, serves low-income college students who are exceptionally high
  performing. Scholars are selected based on academic achievement, service
  to community, demonstrated leadership skills, and financial need.
  Through its “Whole Person” approach of intellectual, academic,
  professional, and financial support Greenhouse Scholars cultivates
  leaders to change low-income families and communities. To date,
  Greenhouse Scholars has served more than 200 students from Colorado,
  Illinois, and Georgia. www.greenhousescholars.org

  Contacts

  Greenhouse Partners
  Lisa Alcorn, 303-460-1734
  lalcorn@greenhousepartners.com