{"id":692,"date":"2013-01-01T14:26:07","date_gmt":"2013-01-01T14:26:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cpanel-dept2-dev-pupp.princeton.edu\/wp\/?p=692"},"modified":"2025-07-20T15:20:19","modified_gmt":"2025-07-20T15:20:19","slug":"directors-note-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pupp.princeton.edu\/es\/2013\/01\/01\/directors-note-2013\/","title":{"rendered":"Director’s Note – 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

It continues to be incredibly satisfying to work closely with our PUPP scholars as they develop their academic potential and begin to imagine themselves as college students and graduates.\u00a0Even better has been our connections with our alumni \u2013 both in person at their colleges and as we follow them into their professional careers. Through Facebook, I had the pleasure of being a casual observer as five PUPP alumni (four from the Trenton area) studied abroad last spring in Paris, Madrid, Florence, Brazil and Senegal.\u00a0Three more will head abroad to Australia, China and Qatar this year.<\/p>\n

In June of 2012, PUPP entered a new era with the hiring of our first PUPP Alumni Fellow.\u00a0Jacqueline (Jackie) Hernandez, a member of the PUPP Class of 2008 (Trenton Central High School), a Gates Millennium Scholar and a graduate of Rutgers University, joined the staff for a 30-month fellowship during which she will provide critical support to our counselor and help develop and maintain alumni networks.\u00a0 Jackie has already proven herself as an invaluable member of the PUPP team through her outstanding ability to connect with our current scholars and her efficient management of a data organization project that will aid program evaluation efforts.\u00a0The fellowship was made possible through a generous donation to PUPP as part of Princeton\u2019s Aspire<\/i> campaign.<\/p>\n

After twelve years, we can see just how much impact our investment in these fine young men and women has had.\u00a0We\u2019ve helped them turn dreams into reality, and to dream new dreams.<\/p>\n

Recently, we asked current PUPP Scholars and our alumni to share some thoughts about the PUPP Experience.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a glimpse of what they had to say:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cPUPP was awesome and is the only reason I made it to a school that is perfect for me\u2014Occidental.\u201d
\n–Manna Selassie, THW Class of 2010, Occidental College \u201814<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cPUPP provided me with the support system, motivation and foundation necessary to achieve success that might have otherwise been unattainable.\u201d
\n–Mikkyla Mclean, TCHS Class of 2008, Rutgers University \u201812<\/p>\n

\u201cPUPP is the reason for the depth of my success both academically and socially. I don\u2019t know who I would be without PUPP.\u201d
\n–Sade Williams, EHS Class of 2010, Middlebury College \u201814<\/p>\n

\u201cPUPP saw the potential in me and took me in the past three years. PUPP has begun to make all my rough places smooth. PUPP is motivation because in PUPP not only don\u2019t you have the option to fail, but I also don\u2019t have the option to not be my personal best.\u201d
\n\u2013Jeneille Russell, Trenton High School West, Class of 2013<\/p>\n

\u201cPUPP has changed my life, mainly because it pushes me to try my hardest and give my best effort for everything. Before, I just went to school because I had to and I did not look at the big picture but now I am making more goals and focused on doing the best work that I can.\u201d
\n\u2013Akahyl Henry, Ewing High School, Class of 2014<\/p>\n

\u201cSo far in my entire life, being a part of PUPP is my greatest accomplishment. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity.\u201d
\n— Michael Calle, Lawrence High School, Class of 2013<\/p>\n

Here is some general news about PUPP and our Class of 2013 \u2013 our current group of 24 outstanding PUPP seniors:<\/p>\n