It has been echoed by many that this year, the conference hit an all-time high on the success scale. Each and every one of you who contributed by attending, presenting, moderating, or collaborating were the reason for its overwhelming appeal.

I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our keynote speaker, Mr. Bernard Pierorazio, Yonkers Public Schools Superintendent. His presentation validated our conference theme, "Change Today-College Tomorrow" by remarking on how the changes his administration has made to their school district on the impact of high school transition by eliminating, the middle school and providing one transition for students from K-8 to high school. The performance numbers in Yonkers appear to reflect a positive impact given this change.

The NYGEAR UP community extends its gratitude to Heather McDonnell, Director of Financial Aid, Sarah Lawrence College for her general session presentation on the "new" student and how financial aid impacts the homeless, the emancipated minor, the undocumented student, and those who may have a non-traditional family. And the appreciation is extended to Daniel Sistarenik, Director of Financial Aid, SUNY New Paltz and Cathy Patella, Director of Financial Aid, Wells College for their presentation on "Timeline for Financial Aid Success".

Pearlie Stricklin and Dan Mickelson, Consultant/EPAS Assessment Services, ACT were a breath of fresh air with their presentation on what the ACT exam really measures and how it measures it. The program staff were able to get a glimpse of what the exam is and what it will do for students and the students were given brief introduction of the exam by Mr. Mickelson. The students were further engaged by HollyRock Entertainment in an educational game show with challenge rounds and I am pleased to announce that the young men won. Congratulations to those young men who participated. And to the young ladies, you are winners by just participating.

The luncheon speaker, Darrell "Coach D" Andrews, dubbed the "passion coach" delivered an inspiring presentation to the young people in attendance and to those who work with them to help them achieve their goals. His lively presentation and great personality provided the students with the excitement to move forward to the awards ceremony.

The student awardees who are listed below received a plaque and several gifts from NYGEAR UP state partners, the College Board (essay writing) and Upromise (flash drives). It is always a pleasure to recognize when young people are doing well in school and in their communities.

Congratulations to the St. John's Youth Venture Awardees: Xia Rehmat, Jericho Bowers, Andrew Chang, Luis Sanchez, and Marsha Mitchell.

And an extended congratulations to Ms. Yvette Morgan, St. John's University GEAR UP Co-Director who presented in Washington, D.C. on GEAR UP April 23,2009. The response from James Davis, GEAR UP Team Lead and Francesca Paris-Albertson, GEAR UP Program Officer have been more than favorable. Thank you Yvette for representing GEAR UP in New York. Job well done.


2009 NYGEAR UP Student Awardees
Student AwardeeSchool GEAR UP Project Site
Maria Moy-SantosAlbany High SchoolAlbany City School District
Shaquanna RobinsonAlbany High SchoolAlbany City School District
Ronald SmithAcademy of Urban PlanningCUNY Brooklyn/Bushwick High School
Stevenson CatulAcademy of Urban PlanningCUNY Brooklyn/Bushwick High School
Kariann DormanJamestown High SchoolJamestown Community College
Jovan DravesDunkirk High SchoolJamestown Community College
Andrew D. GrahamScience Skills Center High SchoolLong Island University/Brooklyn
Mohammed R. AbdinScience Skills Center High SchoolLong Island University/Brooklyn
Aneesa RajaNew Rochelle High SchoolCity School District of New Rochelle
Mary Carmen PerezNew Rochelle High SchoolCity School District of New Rochelle
Chavon ThomasEast High SchoolRochester Institute of Technology
Octavia RhimBioscience and Health Careers High SchoolRochester Institute of Tehcnology
Daniel Gadwaw Rome Free AcademyRome City School District
Laura BochniakRome Free AcademyRome City Schoo District
Kia JosephLong Island City High SchoolSt. John's University
Xia RehmatGreen High School of TeachingSt. John's University
Manal JanatiAcademy of American StudiesSt. John's University (Federal)
Ruhala MiahLouis Brandeis High SchoolSt. John's University (Federal)
Jonathan BruceSt. Jonsville Central High SchoolSUNY Cobleskill
Rebecca SenftSt. Johnsville Central High SchoolSUNY Cobleskill
Emma LynchSt. Johnsville Central High SchoolSUNY Cobleskill (Federal)
Benjamin BergenSt. Johnsville Central High SchoolSUNY Cobleskill (Federal)
Otis HightowerNottingham High SchoolSyracuse University
Maresh EscoffreyNottingham High SchoolSyracuse University
Julian ThompsonLincoln High SchoolYonkers Public School
Charlie CruzRiverside High SchoolYonkers Public School
Evelyn BerronesHostos Lincoln AcademyCUNYMGI/GEAR UP
Kamrul HossainRenaissance Charter SchoolCUNYMGI/GEAR UP

On the final day of the conference many remarked on the presentation from Dr. James Pogue, "The College Doctor", who spoke about the concepts of being a part of a team. The importance of knowing who you report to and how to report to them effectively and efficiently and without "attitude". Dr. Pogue was engaging, powerful, and purposeful in his presentation and the GEAR UP group has been sufficiently ignited to do more.

Thank you to all presenters, moderators, attendees, students, administrators, and parents for supporting the annual NYGEAR UP Conference.

Until next year!