2023 Starts Strong | Q1 2023 Quarterly Newsletter
Alexander Hamilton Scholars

Welcome to our first edition of 2023! This edition features an introspection on our Scholars "Being There Already;" plus, a message from Executive Director Dr. Angela Hedwall, a preview of the 2022 Annual Report, the latest from our Program Team, and so much more!

Our Scholars are so inspiring; be sure to check out our 2022 Annual Report and Q1 Hammie News!

May each of you make time for the activities and relationships that nourish your mind, body, and spirit – giving you capacity to show up for others with openness and authenticity.

All my best,

Dr. Angela Hedwall

The formal Hamilton Scholars program deals with three distinct chronologically linked periods

beginning in late high school and ending after one’s traditional college years – roughly a period of six years. Our vision is to assist each Scholar and new cohort of Scholars to enter the adult world each will inhabit feeling equal and, on a level, playing field with anyone else they may encounter. To do this requires some practical things: attend appropriate institutions and graduate; obtain additional professional training; enter the workforce as nearly debt-free as possible. These are things we help each Scholar achieve. It takes work on their part and on the part of the staff, volunteers, and increasingly our cadre of Scholar alumni.

These are necessary goals to participate in the game of life on a level playing field, but not sufficient. Something else is still needed and that is for each Scholar to come to feel they are already on that level playing field. The practical ramification of this at Hamilton Scholars is our staff, alumni, and volunteers treat them as if they are already where they need to be.

What do I mean by that? Let me give you a personal example.  Over a decade ago, I came to realize I was in this for me because I could learn so much from our young Scholars. By knowing them, I felt more fulfilled. So, I began to turn the tables. I started to view myself as the student and the Scholars as teachers. By doing so, it began to feel like we were like peers talking over a latte.

How does this differ from other organizations? Consider this. Most educational organizations with aims like or similar to Hamilton Scholars treat their student-clients as people who need to rise up from some sort of condition: low-income; limited professional guidance; scant experience dealing with the organizational cultures they aspire to join down the road – that sort of thing. This way of thinking can, inadvertently and even with the most well-meaning people, freeze a hierarchy into the mix, resulting in a permanent sort of teacher-student relationship. In turn, this can lead a young person to conclude if they belong on that level playing field it is in spite of their background; an intrinsically unequal state.

Hamilton Scholars is different. Because we view our individual role be it as staff member, volunteer, or alumni as one of student who is learning from the Scholar or Scholars in front of them, Scholars develop a sense of self-worth that helps each conclude he, she, or they are on that mythic level playing field not in spite of their background, but because of it. Who they are and can become are important not just for the well being of a particular Scholar, but because who they are and can become are important for everyone’s wellbeing. Our Scholars are already there, they simply must come to recognize that fact.

If we are ever to become a truly inclusive society that level playing field must contain a celebratory function that appreciates and embraces as necessary the diverse nature that is America. And in this effort, Hamilton Scholars truly leads the way.

2021 Hammie, Dajuantay Wynter was awarded admission into the Standford Law Scholar Institute Program, an internationally-recognized program that allows exceptional students to expand their legal knowledge. This program is designed to challenge students and provide them with the skills necessary to succeed in the legal profession. During his time in the program, Dajuantay will be able to work with and learn from legal minds in the country, and he will have the opportunity to explore his interest in the law further.

2020 Hammie, Julie Trinh was accepted into the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP), a Texas-based workforce pipeline for aspiring doctors from low socioeconomic backgrounds. After a competitive 5-month selection process, will be placed into a smaller pool of medical school applicants, allowing her a higher acceptance rate to a Texas medical school of her choice.

Through JAMP, Julie will attend 4-week-long residential medical internship programs every summer and receive rigorous MCAT mentoring and resources sponsored by JAMP. She will also receive JAMP scholarships during her time as an undergraduate and medical student.

2021 Hammie Adriana Cavazos, as a first-year student was selected as one of twelve to play on the EPRU Women's Rugby All-Star Team. This was a major accomplishment for her, and she was thrilled to have been chosen. She dedicated many hours of practice to prepare for the tournament, and her hard work paid off when they flew out to Austin, Texas to compete in the NCR's Women's 7's National Cup in January. During the tournament, she played with great skill and determination. Their team earned the title of National Champions for the second consecutive year.

Shine a spotlight

Have exciting news to share? Did you hear about a fellow Hammie's amazing accomplishment? We want to celebrate you! Fill out the spotlight form on our website so we can share the news to our entire community!

Bridges connect communities: they enable access and make movement across unfriendly spaces possible. At Alexander Hamilton Scholars (AHS), we’ve dedicated ourselves to bridging the opportunity gaps our Scholars face. In partnership with our Hammies, we empower their transitions between high-school, college, and beyond — connecting these changemakers to possibility.

For our Scholars, attainment of a college education disrupts the cycle of poverty; our personalized approach empowers 100% of our students to gain entrance into their best-fit colleges, with 93% graduating within five years or less.

Our goal is transparent leadership through gratitude, as we continue partnering with the incredible individuals in our five-yearEmpowerment Program.

This annual report features eight of our Scholars — lovingly nicknamed “Hammies” — and the values that drive their journey. You’ll find them placed within context of how our program supports them, the impact we left on our community in 2022, and how we’ve leveraged the generosity of our financial supporters.

In short: this report covers the bridges we’ve built and where we’re bridging to next.

Thank you!

You helped us raise $200,000 on our goal of $250,000 for Strong Start; thank you to those who’ve generously donated – it’s not too late for those still looking to make an impact for Critical Summer Leader Weeks!

Ways to support us

• One-time giving via our website/check

  • Please send checks to
    ALEXANDER HAMILTON SCHOLARS
    P.O. BOX 81047
    SEATTLE, WA 98108

• A monthly donation (most impact!)

• Employee Matching

• Passive Giving

• Become an online Hambassador