The Hammiesphere: Alexander Hamilton Scholars’ Quarterly Newsletter

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Please send notes for the editor and feedback to Elias Olson, Communications & Data Mngr. | elias.olson@hamiltonscholars.org

Vol. 2 | No. 2

 

Q2 2022

(From left to right: Site Coordinator Wanda, 2015 Hammie & AHS Alumni Board Executive Committee Member Tiana, AHS Financial Aid Counselor Lynell, 2015 Hammie & AHS Assistant Director Mikala, and AHS Founder George smile for a photo)

Puerto Rico, here we come! Don't miss this edition's spotlight, featuring a message from AHS founder on our newest International Leader Week site.

In this issue:

Letter from the Executive Director

Happy Summer Hamilton Community!

Welcome to the second quarterly newsletter of 2022. Our team continues engaging with our 151 active Scholars through meaningful mentorship, internship support, and emergency funds. We are so excited for our, in-person, Seattle Leader Week on June 18th, 2022 and our Gala Livestream Auction on June 22nd, 2022 at 6 p.m. PDT.

Spring is nearing an end and summer solstice is right around the bend — this is a time I equate to growth, long days, being outdoors solo and in community, and an increase in time spent with those that are meaningful in our lives and filling for our hearts. Entering this season of growth, we continued to see challenges in our communities: school shootings and the impact on students (NY Times), continue increases in hate crimes against Asian Americans (NY Times), our front-line workers continuing to navigate the realities of COVID-19 and its variants (WHO), and the continued impact of natural disasters on climate change (CNN). My on-going hope for all of our communities is increased safety where each of us reside, access to healthcare in all its forms, connection vs. isolation, and sustainable resources to navigate these discomfiting times.

Some of the highlights of our spring quarter are:

Dr. Angela Hedwall, Executive Director

We are excited to bring you our second quarter Hammiesphere, available on our website! The Hammiesphere provides more in-depth updates on programming, Scholar news, and development. Be sure to check it out today!

May each of you find light, renewing rest, intentional connection, and meaningful engagement. I am looking forward to our slowly, safely, and joyously returning to in-person gatherings.

All my best,

Angela

George Cox: A Full Season of Leader Weeks

Spotlight / Programming

(From left to right: Site Coordinator Wanda, 2015 Hammie & AHS Alumni Board Executive Committee Member Tiana, AHS Financial Aid Counselor Lynell, 2015 Hammie & AHS Assistant Director Mikala, and AHS Founder George smile for a photo)

Since we concluded our last in person leader week almost three years ago, the world has shifted many times. It has challenged us at Hamilton Scholars in ways not imaginable. Fortunately, the board, staff and Scholars too used the time to assess the organization with an eye toward the future; toward launching things in a post-COVID world.

This year begins that launch. A full slate of leader week programs is planned: our newest cohort will attend a program in New York; last year’s cohort will visit Seattle; and Texas Leader Week will occur in late fall. But there will be a change in the third year program. The Guatemala program has served us well over the years, but access, cost, and the inability of some to attend were issues we could no longer avoid. So, after much deliberation the staff has established a new third year program in Puerto Rico. I participated in a leader week planning trip to Puerto Rico recently and I am convinced this newest of leader week programs will prove to be an incredible experience. It is not a replacement program; it is altogether new; one that better integrates programming with other planned cultural and service activities.

From Tiana Herring, AHS Alumni Board Member

International Leader Week was my first opportunity to learn what it meant to be a global citizen and how to ethically serve a community other than my own. I had the pleasure of visiting Puerto Rico with AHS staff this past Spring and am excited that our Hammies will be able to continue to learn these important lessons on service, culture, and leadership, but in a location that is more inclusive to all our Hammies, including those who are undocumented. Our students will have a unique opportunity to participate in a variety of meaningful service projects, while also learning from Puerto Ricans about their communities and what it means to be a U.S. territory. The beauty of Puerto Rico – from the forests to the beaches – and the delicious food are just the icing on top!

Scholars unable to attend a leader week program internationally, will be able to attend a domestic program in Puerto Rico, costs should be less, and airline access and connections are significantly better. And our community service efforts will help U.S. citizens, many of whom remain in great need following Hurricane Maria and other recent natural disasters. I for one am eager to great the first Scholar participants come this August.

Welcome: 2022 Cohort

After wrapping up an intensive 2022 Hamilton Award Cycle, we welcomed the 2022 Cohort in April! These 35 Scholars represent a wide array of communities, backgrounds, and cultures. They exemplify the best of our nation’s youth, displaying grit, determination, and the ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve their ambitious goals, while still always putting others before self as they seek to be leaders and agents of positive change in their schools and communities.

Please join us in welcoming the 2022 Cohort!

Below you'll find demographics and statistics for this cohort; view their full bios.

Infographic with description below.

Graphic Image Description: 2022 Cohort Stats;

  1. (Left, Bottom) 71% of the 2022 Cohort are first generation college students

  2. (Top, Middle) Regional Distribution; A map broken up into four regions with percentage of students represented in those areas: Pacific North West (6%), South West (24%), Midwest (12%), South (12%), South East (21%), North East (30%)

  3. Race Ethnicity breakdown (in pie chart); African American or Black (27%), Asian (35%), White (14%), Hispanic or Latinx (14%), Middle Eastern (3%), Native or Indigenous (8%), None of the Above (3%).

  4. The average household income for the 2022 Cohort is $50,000 dollars; the national median income in the United States for 2021 is $79,000.

  5. Our 2021 Cohort lives in three community types: Suburban (21%), Rural (11%), and Urban (40%)

2022-2024 Alumni Board

Alexander Hamilton Scholars’ Alumni Board represents every Hamilton Alumni Cohort, starting as far back as 2005. These individuals, from across Cohort years themselves, are passionate, values-driven leaders striving to propel the mission of AHS and enhance the Hammie experience. Our current board members are serving terms for 2022-2024.

View their full bios.

 

Programming

Updates

2022 Program Intern, Bonnie Chen (‘18)

Leader Week season is upon us! Q2 brought learning, growth, and development for the Programming Team and we’re excited to continue improving our curriculum as we host Seattle, New York, and Puerto Rico Leader Weeks this summer. Furthermore, joining us, we have 2018 Hammie and Summer Program Intern Bonnie Chen!

SUMMER LEADER WEEKS

  • We’re monitoring COVID-19 as we prepare for in-person Leader Weeks. Under guidance from the CDC and local health departments, our protocols address situations before, during, and, after Leader Weeks and we require all attendees to be vaccinated and masked-up.
  • First, during Seattle Leader Week (June 18-23) our Year 2 Hammies will prepare for their freshman years in college! They’ll establish short- and long-term goals and leave with a better understanding of their financial situations, equipped with the tools to navigate personal budgets and complex social situations on college campuses.
  • Our second Leader Week, New York Leader Week (July 9-14), is the first for our Year 1 Hammies! Our newest cohort members meet each other for the first time, in-person to form clear plans for their senior year of high school. Our team can’t wait to see how these Hammies develop life-long bonds with each other during this special week!
  • As mentioned in Q2’s Hammiesphere feature, Puerto Rico Leader Week (July 30 through August 6) is new and exciting for everyone! We can’t wait to visit with our Year 3, 2020 Hammies to learn more about leadership and service.

COHORT NEWS

  • We have officially welcomed our newest Hammies, the 2022 Cohort, to the HamFam! Check out their bios online, and thank you to all the judges who helped us narrow the field down from almost 300 applicants. We couldn’t have done it without you!
  • In the middle of our program, our 2019 Cohort is hard at work conducting informational interviews and resume reviews with professionals of their choice from all over the country. We look forward to finding out how the meetings went for our Scholars in July!
  • At the other end, we congratulate our 2017 Cohort on their graduations from their undergraduate programs and our Empowerment Program! As they complete the Exit Interview Process — facilitated by our wonderful alum volunteer Jillian — our 2017 Cohort transitions to Hamilton Alum and beyond their college careers into graduate school, the workforce, or service opportunities.
 

Hammie News

Creates F&M Chapter of Alexander Hamilton Society
Munahil Sultana, 2019

Munahil Sultana, 2019

This past fall, 2019 Munahil Sultana, worked tirelessly to create a chapter of Alexander Hamilton Society, an organization aiming to create the next generation of foreign policy leaders at Franklin & Marshall College; Alexander Hamilton Society boasts over 80 local chapters at a myriad of institutions across the country, including several Ivy League colleges and liberal art colleges. Additionally, Muna serves as the Sophomore Senator for Diplomatic Congress, President of S.I.S.T.E.R.S. — a non-greek affiliated women's empowerment organization — and serves as a House Advisor for upperclassmen housing.

 

Awarded 1k My Story Matters Scholarship
Mariana Chavez Ontiveros, 2021

Mariana Chavez Ontiveros, 2021

2021 Hammie, Mariana Chavez Ontiveros was one of six students to receive the My Story Matters Scholarship. She received $1000 and had the opportunity to share her story in front of an audience in Downtown LA.

 

Awarded Three Graduating Seniors Shine Bright Scholarship
Diamond Bynum, 2019

Diamond Bynum, 2019

2015 Hammie, Diamond Bynum awarded three graduating seniors with the Shine Bright Scholarship at North Pitt High School in Bethel, North Carolina! This scholarship encourages students to express what makes them unique and supports students with needs -- such as travel, room essentials, or general supply costs as they transition to college.

 

Completed Multiple Service Projects & Starting Amsterdam-Based Internship
Chidinmma Egemonu, 2018

2018 Hammie, Chidinmma Egemonu, is studying Cognitive Studies & Human and Organizational Development at Vanderbilt University; she participated in a service project in Lisbon, caring for people experiencing homelessness; and, furthermore, Chidinmma completed another service project in Vietnam at the Little Rose Warm Shelter, providing education and other resources for young girls escaping abuse and poverty. Lastly, she received an internship with an Amsterdam-based music program teaching immigrant children Dutch. Chidinmma is passionate about making education more accessible for underserved people.

Chidinmma Egemonu, 2018

 

Interning at Space X After Leading Harvard Satellite Team
Grace Kim, 2018

Grace Kim, 2018

2018 Hammie Grace Kim has been interested in satellites since previously leading the Harvard Satellite Team as Chief Engineer building their 2U CubeSat to test a student-designed payload of a new solar array deployment mechanism using SMAs (shape memory alloys). All of this has lead up to this summer, where Grace will intern for Space X! She’ll work alongside the Starlink Mechanical Systems team, providing advanced broadband internet via satellite internet constellations!

 

2012 Hammie, Van Truong, after two-hours of sharing her research proposal and defending her ideas before a panel of experts, passed her Candidacy Exam. She’ll now pursue her research full-time until her graduation as a dual-degree candidate (Ph.D. with Penn Medicine and MA in Statistics with Wharton); she is now one step closer to becoming the first woman in her diaspora village to get a Ph.D.

Passed Candidacy Exam, Now Dual-Degree Candidate
Van Truong, 2012

Van Truong, 2012

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!

Development

2022 Annual Gala: Growing Where We're Rooted

It's once again Hamilton Scholars' largest fundraiser of the year: The AHS Annual Leadership Gala!

25% of our operating revenue — the money that helps fund Leader Weeks, the Hamilton Award, and AHS' Empowerment Program — depends on the generosity of our community during these three weeks in June.

We're currently 48% of our way to our goal; with less than a week left, can we count on your support in raising $400,000 to empower our Scholars, cultivate changemakers, and advance equity? Our growth here — reaching our goal — is critical to fully support our community of brave and determined Scholars; breaking the poverty cycle for these changemakers cannot happen without your continued belief in our mission and support.

June 22nd @ 6 p.m. PDT

YOU’RE INVITED!

AHS Gala Livestream

Don't miss out on exclusive, livestream-only items, including two, round-trip Alaska Airlines tickets available during our JUNE 22nd GALA LIVESTREAM @ 6 p.m. PDT!

Additionally, you'll hear from Hammies about their handmade items, a message from AHS Founders Geroge & Carolyn Cox, and have an opportunity to Raise the Paddle with Seattle Auctioneer David Silverman!

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