One D-C Councilmember is turning the dream of college into a reality for some local High School students.

Jessica Forres reports…



Twenty four students from Anacostia High School are on their way to North Carolina where representatives from more than twenty Historically Black Colleges and Universities will either admit or deny them on the spot.

Madeline Foreman, an English Teacher, rides with her students on the charter bus...

I PICK THE ONES WHO HAVE THE 2.0’S , THE 1.7’S. THE KINDS OF G.P.A’S THAT NOBODY WOULD WANT TO LOOK AT.

But the students, she says, have the same potential as an IVY- Leaguer...

I SEE THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE SOME PUSH BEHIND THEM. THEY DON’T GET IT AT HOME MAYBE OR MAYBE THEIR PARENTS ARE WORKING..

Such as Joi Martin… a senior at Dunbar High School…She is one of a hundred students from 15 D-C High Schools who decided to attend the fair. She holds a transcript in one hand and five applications in the other…

MY MOTHER SHE NOT REALLY INVOLVED IN MY EDUCATION LIKE SHE SHOULD BE SO THAT’S WHAT MADE REALLY START PUSHING MYSELF.

Taunya Monroe… a senior admissions officer at North Carolina’s Bennett College for Women… looks at her transcript and likes what she sees...

CONGRATULATIONS MA’AM AND WELCOME TO THE CLASS OF 2013,

It's the second year D-C Councilmember Kwame Brown organized and raised money for the trip...

YOU KNOW I WAS AT THE BOTTOM AND SOME OF THESE KIDS ARE AT THE BOTTOM SOMEONE NEEDS TO SAY THEY TOO CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IF SOMEONE GIVES THEM A HAND UP AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO HERE TODAY.

More than 80 percent of the qualifed students were accepted into at least one college.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News



D-C Councilmember Kwame Brown is helping local high school students realize their dream of a college education.

Jessica Forres reports...

At a community college in Tarboro, North Carolina, Joi Martin, a senior at Dunbar Highschool, is talking with admissions officers who are accepting and denying students on the spot. She hands Chris Withers her transcript...

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS GET YOUR G-P-A UP BECAUSE OF THIS RIGHT HERE.

Martin is one of a hundred seniors and juniors from 15 D-C High Schools who traveled on charter buses for the fair of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

D-C Councilmember Kwame Brown who helped organize the trip... says most of the students have low grade point averages but great potential...

SOMEONE HELPED ME RIGHT AND I NEED TO HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS I CAN AND HOPEFULLY I’M HELPING THE NEXT ONE OF ME THAT’S GOING TO GO FARTHER AND BETTER.

Martin is one of those students...she received three F's her first two years of high school, but is now making A's and B's.

I WAS EXPECTING MY MOTHER TO BE WELL LIKE YOU NEED TO SEEK THAT CHANGE BUT WHEN I NOTICED IT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN I'M LIKE I JUST HAVE TO DO IT FOR MYSELF.

Her dedication finally pays off. Taunya Monroe…the senior admissions officer at North Carolina’s Bennett College for Women...likes what she sees...

WELCOME TO THE CLASS OF 2013, YOU JUST HAVE TO CHOOSE US NOW CUZ WE’VE CHOSEN YOU.

It's too early to tell how many seniors were accepted but Councilmember Brown says last year 43 out of 44 students gained acceptance into at least one college.