38 KIPP Public School Students Selected To Be Rales Scholars
$60,000 award per student will help defray the cost of college and provide mentorship, summer internship placement, leadership programming and networking opportunities.
New York, NY – May 16, 2022 – Today KIPP Public Schools and the Norman and Ruth Rales Foundation announce 38 students have been selected to be in the inaugural KIPP Ruth and Norman Rales Scholars Program cohort. These Scholars were selected out of hundreds of applications across the country for their academic achievements and perseverance, as well as leadership potential and commitment to service. This video shows the moment the students received the news they became KIPP Rales Scholars.
KIPP Rales Scholars will receive up to $60,000 in direct financial support over four years to defray the costs of college, as well as special programming to help students persist in college, develop their leadership skills, and explore professional pathways.
The KIPP Rales Scholars Program honors the legacy of Ruth and Norman Rales, who believed deeply in the limitless potential of all young people, and who exemplified the spirit of giving back during their lifetimes.
“We congratulate this first cohort of Rales Scholars,” said Josh Rales, President and Trustee of the Rales Foundation. “While my parents, Ruth and Norman, never had the opportunity to attend college, they viewed education as a great equalizer and key to opportunity. They would be proud of this group of exceptional young people. As these Scholars embark on this next chapter in their lives and continue to develop into great leaders, our hope is that they will also find opportunities to open doors for others, in keeping with the values of my parents.”
“These talented students are stepping into college with a support system that includes career, financial literacy and networking support to prepare them to become tomorrow’s leaders,” said Kinnari Patel-Smyth, KIPP Foundation’s Acting Chief Executive Officer. “The Rales Scholars program uniquely prepares KIPP alumni for success in college, career and beyond.”
Each student will receive up to $60,000 in direct financial support as well as the following services:
- Internship Placement: Working with the Rales Scholars program team, Scholars will identify opportunities and be placed annually in meaningful internships. The program coordinators will engage members of the KIPP local boards and alumni to support students in their internship pursuits.
- Alumni Mentorship and Connection: Rales Scholars will engage in the broader KIPP alumni network (over 30,000 and growing) and be mentored by and connected to older alumni.
- Leadership Weekend: All Scholars will attend an annual leadership summit in the summer, which will foster connections across the Rales Scholars Community and support Scholars in becoming agents of change.
- Financial Literacy: Scholars will receive training in personal finance planning and budgeting.
- Resource Library: Scholars will have access to resume and cover letter templates as well as mock interview resources.
The 2022 Inaugural KIPP Rales Scholars are:
About the Norman R. And Ruth Rales Foundation
The Norman R. Rales and Ruth Rales Foundation is dedicated to supporting children and families facing hardship by creating opportunities for them to realize life’s potential. Norman and Ruth Rales began their lives under humble circumstances. Norman was raised in the Hebrew Orphan Asylum in Harlem during the Great Depression. The lessons he learned there nurtured a lifelong desire to assist others in need, while brightening the days of the many he touched. Ruth was raised in Pittsburgh by parents who had fled persecution in Eastern Europe. From an early age she was taught the value of hard work, generosity and creativity. Ruth and Norman married in 1948 and together they built a brilliant life filled with family, friends, community, work and giving to others. Unable to attend college themselves, Ruth and Norman believed deeply in the importance of an excellent education for all children, regardless of circumstance. Throughout their lives, they dedicated themselves to helping others in need. Their spirit of giving and values live on through the work of the Rales Foundation.
About KIPP
KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of 270 public charter schools dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life. KIPP schools are part of the free public school system and enrollment is open to all students. Started in 1994 as a middle school program, KIPP has since expanded to enroll over 115,000 students in all grades from PreK through high school. Nationwide, KIPP students complete their bachelor’s degree at three to four times higher rates than the average for students from families facing economic hardship.
Press Contact: Maria Alcón-Heraux
E-mail: MHeraux@kipp.org
Cell: 347 374-0147