Summer Math and Science Honors Academy: African-American Male Call for Assistance

Dear Fellow Community Advocates: 

I am reaching out to you as we near the closing of our online registration period for the 2013 Summer Math and Science Honors (SMASH) Academy on February 22! We are entering our ninth year of the program and looking to have as many scholar applicants as possible this year. Unfortunately, to date we have not managed to attract a significant number of African American males to apply to SMASH. However, I am hopeful that you will be able to assist me with growing the current disproportionately small applicant pool by spreading the good word. 

SMASH is a three-year enrichment program that assists talented high-achieving low to moderate income high school students of color from historically underrepresented communities (i.e. African American, Latino/Hispanic, Native American, Southeast Asian and/or Pacific Islander) to become competitive and successful in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) studies at selective colleges. 

We are currently looking for current 9th grade students attending public high schools or private schools on scholarship in the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater Los Angeles area to apply. Students should have at least a 3.0 GPA or better, currently be enrolled in (or have already completed) Geometry or the equivalent with a B average. 

We are searching for students who show a particular interest in math or science and are willing to maximize the opportunity to reside and attend classes on a college campus for five weeks with like-minded students. The program takes place on the UC Berkeley, Stanford, USC, and UCLA campuses. This is a FREE program for ALL participants! 

Please forward this note on to friends, colleagues and members of your network who may know students of color who may be interested in this awesome opportunity. 

The application and additional information about SMASH can be found on our website at http://lpfi.org/smash. The online application is due March 8, 2013 (Note: Letters of Recommendation, Transcripts and Test Scores must be received via mail or uploaded by no later than March 23, 2013). 

If you have any questions, I can be reached via email at danielle@lpfi.org or phone 415.946.3095 . Your colleagues and/or contacts are welcome to contact me with questions about the program – or with the contact information of potential students! 

Many thanks for your time, and I am hopeful that we will meet students referred from your school and/or networks during our selection process! 

Follow SMASH on Facebook and Twitter @SMASHAcademy to stay updated on 2013 application deadlines and program news. 

Best, 

Danielle