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Resident Claudine C. wrote this summary of the Ninde Scholars graduation ceremony for the Oberlin News Tribune. The ceremony is held each year at Kendal at Oberlin. Photos by Kendal resident, Eleanor H.
Both ladies are members of Publicity Plugs, a volunteer program that generates positive public relations stories about the Oberlin City Schools for local newspapers.
The Ninde Scholars graduation was held May 15th at Kendal at Oberlin. Those Oberlin High School seniors, who had completed the program and got into college were Asia Alston, who will be going to Central State; Tyree Browne, Lorain County Community College; Micah Coleman, LCCC; Marshaun Fitzpatrick, Case Western Reserve; Andra Mason, Central State; Kenneth Miranda, LCCC; Stephanie Moore, LCCC; Drew Randleman, Heidelberg; Deb Street, LCCC; and Jess Vannatter, Cleveland State.
Ninde programs continue during the summer. Rising juniors and seniors will attend a two-week writing seminar. There is also a three day program for recent OHS graduates for bridging their paths from high school to college, and a three-week summer program for Aspiring Ninde Scholars in grades 7-10.
Bo Arbogast is the Ninde Program Director, and Kristen Glasener is the college access coordinator. There are currently 44 students in the Ninde Program, which includes aspiring Ninde scholars at Langston Middle School this year.
48 Ninde Scholars have completed the program and graduated from Oberlin High School since 2005. Two have completed their bachelor’s degrees this May—Nick Chmura at the University of Tampa in finance and Rachel Luczkowski at Oberlin College in art history. Mohammedu Silla has received his associate’s degree in business from LCCC.
The Ninde Program was started eight years ago by Dick and Nan Ninde, who lived at Kendal and who provided a $450,000 challenge grant, which was matched by others in the community. Oberlin College, Oberlin Schools and Lorain County Urban League are partners in the Ninde Collaborative. The program’s goal is to encourage students toward a college education. In many cases the students become first generation college graduates.
Ninde Scholars 2012 – Oberlin High School
