Three Milwaukee HS seniors earn new scholarships and paid internships through College Possible and Kohler

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Lots of of Milwaukee highschool seniors had been celebrated Thursday for finishing the School Potential program.

School Potential is a non-profit group that matches college students with peer coaches and an intensive curriculum to assist them overcome obstacles.

Three of the graduates had been awarded a new scholarship that features a paid internship.

The brand new scholarships had been created in collaboration with the Kohler firm. They’re aimed toward highschool college students who’re the primary of their household to attend faculty.

School Potential Program Director Kevin Curley stated, “We’ve got sensible students from everywhere in the metropolis who will be right here in the present day.”

Greater than 500 college students from 19 Milwaukee excessive faculties took half within the School Potential program this yr. At Thursday’s launch social gathering they had been despatched off in fashion.

Curley stated, “We’re celebrating our seniors as they go off to school. They’re making their first steps on their thrilling journey.”

They are saying this system helps at a essential time, as a result of college students from low-income backgrounds have seen disproportionate declines in faculty enrollment throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Curley stated, “One of many greatest obstacles for college kids from low-income backgrounds is the rising price of faculty.” He added it is an enormous win for college kids.

Final yr 86% of highschool seniors in this system went to school.

And this yr marked the beginning of a first-ever scholarship: three School Potential students -who are the primary in their households to attend college- earned renewable $5,000 scholarships and a paid internship at Kohler.

Curley stated, “We additionally know that entry to assets like internships and mentorships can even assist them alongside their faculty journey and put together them for the subsequent chapter after commencement.”

The scholarship additionally covers room and board throughout the internship. And the scholars will probably be assigned an expert mentor and get a yearly profession exploration go to at Kohler’s headquarters.

Curley stated, “The internship element will give them that skilled expertise that may assist them actually outline what their profession objectives are, in addition to their educational objectives.”

School Potential Milwaukee was based in 2008. Since then the program has helped greater than 4,000 college students earn a university diploma.