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SUMMER SCHOOL: is not usually a priority for the common high school student. However, one student from Rio Hondo, Jose Ramirez, does want to go but he has his heart set on attending Harvard University’s Secondary School Program for high school students. He was accepted into the program in March. In April he was awarded a $6,400 scholarship that pays half of the tuition. To help Ramirez with tuition to attend Harvard contact his GearUp Counselor Pete Zuniga at Rio Hondo High School. Ph:(956) 748-1200
By Raul Garcia Jr.
Special to El RRun RRun
Rio Hondo High School sophomore, Jose Ramirez plans to attend summer school at Harvard University. The university awarded him a scholarship of $6,400. Now all he has to do is come up with the rest of money to pay the tuition so he can hit the books. The total cost for the seven-week Secondary School Program, which includes room and board and two four-credit courses, is $11,320.
He was inspired to apply after attending Hanging with Harvard, a Saturday conference for GearUp students hosted by Region One GearUp and the Texas Graduate Center, an initiative of the Texas Valley Communities Foundation. Hanging with Harvard is led by local math teachers currently pursuing their graduate degree from Harvard University Extension School via distance learning and summer residencies. The teachers not only focus on math content but also talk to the students about what it’s like attending Harvard University and how best to prepare for an Ivy League education. Ramirez met up with about 300 students from around the Valley for the day-long conference at Region One.
“When I found out about the program I got real excited because it’s not every day that you get to meet representatives from Harvard.” Ramirez said. “Because it is one of the most prestigious schools I decided to go and find out more about it.”
Ramirez said he researched the school then told his GearUp counselor that he wanted to enter the Harvard Summer Program. Ramirez’s GearUp teacher said Ramirez came to his office a few days after the event and said he was serious about looking into the summer program. They took a look at the entrance requirements and Ramirez began getting his application packet ready.
He applied thinking, “why not try, what is the worst that can happen— I will get a letter saying no.” After waiting and waiting for a response to his application, he logged into his Harvard account hopeful, and there it was, a message of acceptance. “You get to take college courses and you get to meet new people from around the world and it’s something I have never really done,” said Ramirez. “I have never left the state except when I travel into Mexico to visit my grandparents.”
Ramirez is a Major in the school’s Air Force JROTC, he has been involved in Habitat for Humanity and the school band. The valley native is ready to take on a Harvard experience that only few have ever done or been a part of from the Rio Grande Valley.
Aside from his duties in the ROTC and his classwork, Ramirez is working at school to learn welding, but his career goal is in wind turbine energy. “GearUp has always been very supportive of me and every GearUp event has helped me strengthen my career pathway,” Ramirez said.
GearUp is a college prep program that assists in the preparation for college readiness. To help fund Jose Ramirez attend the Harvard Summer Program contact Pete Zuniga, GearUp facilitator at Rio Hondo High. Ph:(956) 748-1200
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