Ricardo Antonio, Div.251
Jennifer Idrovo, Div.281
Richard Tran, Div.280
By Airis Cervantes
& Alexandria Martinez
Noisy applause and excitement fills the crowded, dimly lit auditorium. Ninety-four students anxiously wait to walk across the stage to be awarded scholarships for college tuition from the Posse Foundation.
Included in the group are Lane seniors Ricardo Antonio, Div. 251, Jennifer Idrovo, Div. 281, and Richard Tran, Div. 280.
The three students were among many Lane students nominated for the award. After being nominated, the scholars underwent group interviews and worked their way up to one-on-one interviews with Posse staff. After being carefully considered, each was invited to the final round of interviews with representatives from the different colleges associated with Posse.
For over 20 years, the Posse Foundation, an organization dedicated to college access and leadership development, has awarded $406 million to students all across the country. With Posse locations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, New Orleans, and Washington D.C, the foundation has been able to nurture a support system for the students awarded.
As Posse scholars, Antonio, Idrovo and Tran all demonstrated exemplary academic success, leadership qualities, and personal accomplishments.
Ricardo Antonio will be a pre-med student at Denison University this fall. He was nominated by Mr. Vasek, a former Lane counselor.
“Mr. Vasek wanted to nominate someone with a high GPA, which I had, but really, Posse didn’t require anything but leadership qualities and high school involvement,” Antonio said.
He was on his way home from school, when he received a phone call from Posse.
“I didn’t think I would be called back for the second interview, never mind the last, and then I was selected! I didn’t even want to pick up my phone. I was nervous,” Antonio said.
Antonio worried that without the scholarship, the financial toll of going to college would be too much for his parents.
“If I didn’t get into Denison I would be at [Wisconsin] Madison on student loans,” said Antonio.
Posse granted Antonio with a full-ride excluding room and board.
“I’m still working on getting a scholarship from L.A.M.A.S. (Lovie and MaryAnne Smith Foundation) to pay for everything else,” said Antonio
Antonio credits his brother for his inspiration and drive for success and cited his rather small family for making their bond stronger.
“My brother was the first person in our family to go to college and I don’t know where I would be without him,” said Antonio.
Richard Tran will be attending Oberlin College with his posse in the fall.
“I didn’t believe it. Every single round I didn’t think I was [going to] make it! I never wanted to set myself up for disaster,” Tran said.
Tran received the phone call a day after his final interview when he was working. Five people from the Posse staff were on the phone with him to congratulate him with the news.
Tran is part of the Multi-cultural Youth Projects (MCYP), a branch of the Chinese Mutual Aid Association. The organization’s mission is to “nurture and empower youth who embrace and act upon their potential to transform their lives and their communities.”
“MCYP nominated me for the award,” Tran said.
Tran knows the responsibility that comes with being a Posse scholar.
“We’re under more pressure. They want greatness,” Tran said.
Jennifer Idrovo received her call from the Posse staff on Dec. 6 at 5:43p.m.
“I was a little nervous. My heart was racing!” Idrovo said.
From the beginning of the process, Idrovo knew there were about 2,700 nominees.
“I didn’t want to get excited. I didn’t want to get worked up about it,” she said.
During the interviews with Posse, Idrovo told her story and “didn’t hold back.” She has been part of an organization called Teatro Americano for four years. The organization gives leadership opportunities to young students, while preparing them to perform a play every August.
“Jennifer is a leader. She just stands out,” said Mrs. Hanly, English teacher and Idrovo’s nominator. “Jennifer thinks beyond a normal teenager. She is always respectful and does beyond what she is asked for. She is an ideal student.”
Although Posse is an added responsibility, Idrovo is looking forward to the pre-college training and the weekly meetings with her posse.
“It’s great to be part of my posse. They’re so cool and everyone has a story,” Idrovo said.
“One of the [Posse] tag lines is ‘It’s more than a scholarship. We’re in this for life’,” Idrovo said. “I’m so excited for what’s to come.”
