REACH Prep’s Annual Benefit Luncheon Features President & Trinity College Professor of Neuroscience

REACH Prep, the Stamford-based non-profit organization that provides access to transformative educational experiences that empower underserved, high-achieving students to graduate from top colleges, hosted its Annual Benefit Luncheon on Monday, April 23rd at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. The event brought together guests from Fairfield and Westchester counties to celebrate the achievements of REACH Prep Scholars and the independent schools they attend.

The always-buzzing event featured headliner speaker, Joanne Berger-Sweeney, President & Trinity College Professor of Neuroscience, and star student-speakers Jaimie Lopez, an outstanding student-athlete and senior at King School, and Olivia Craig, a remarkable 7th grader at Rye Country Day School. Berger-Sweeney is the first woman, first person of color and first neuroscientist to be president of Trinity College.

Annual Benefit Luncheon Co-Chairs: Lauren Walsh, Toni Subramaniam, Lauren O’Shaughnessy, Liz Roddy, Heather Mosley

Annual Benefit Luncheon Co-Chairs: Lauren Walsh, Toni Subramaniam, Lauren O’Shaughnessy, Liz Roddy, Heather Mosley. Contributed photo

REACH Prep’s Annual Benefit Luncheon raised over $325,000, all of which will directly support programming for Scholars, including a 15-month Prep Academy program, individualized middle school and high school support, and college guidance.

Founded in 1994, REACH Prep helps motivated and talented Black and Latino students from underserved communities in Fairfield and Westchester Counties and the Bronx gain admission to and thrive in rigorous independent schools. Upon placement, students benefit from a 12-year educational continuum, including comprehensive academic enrichment, leadership training and supplementary individual and family guidance, which prepares them to succeed at and graduate from competitive colleges.

REACH Prep‘s model of access to high-quality education along with sustained, comprehensive and long-term support achieves college success rates that defy trends and national statistics. As we continue to guide and support our Scholars, we will remember President Berger-Sweeney’s inspirational message, “dream big, be bold, take others along for the ride, and never, ever lose hold of your dreams.”

Members of RP Cohort 24

Members of REACH Prep Cohort 24. Contributed photo

Luncheon Committee Members: Kim Augustine, Tracy Grossman and Mary Jeffery

Luncheon Committee Members: Kim Augustine, Tracy Grossman and Mary Jeffery. Contributed photo

Pepper Anderson and Patty Murphy

Pepper Anderson and Patty Murphy. Contributed photo

 

Tiffany Burnette (Luncheon Committee Member) and Trish Davis (REACH Prep's Board of Directors). Contributed photo

Tiffany Burnette (Luncheon Committee Member) and Trish Davis (REACH Prep’s Board of Directors). Contributed photo

Joshua Terry (RP Alumnus, Cohort 12) and Carl Jean-Pierre (RP Cohort 14)

Joshua Terry (REACH Prep Alumnus, Cohort 12) and Carl Jean-Pierre (REACH Prep Cohort 14). Contributed photo

Olivia Craig (RP Cohort 22) and Gianfranco F (RP Cohort 24)

Olivia Craig (REACH Prep Cohort 22) and Gianfranco F (REACH Prep Cohort 24). Contributed photo