April 29th, 2024
Before graduation, another seminal Spring ceremony took place for 18 Grand Island Senior High (GISH) Seniors that propelled them towards their next chapters. Last Wednesday evening, the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy (NCPA) hosted its annual Senior Recognition Ceremony at the Bosselman Conference Center putting a bow on the program’s year at GISH.
An elegant evening filled with family, friends, and classmates, the annual NCPA Recognition Ceremony provided an opportunity for the program’s GISH Seniors to showcase their year-long research projects and earn the scarlet and cream chords they’ll wear at next month’s GISH Graduation. More than that, it is a commemoration of each scholars’ commitment to the NCPA pillars of excellence: Knowledge, Character, and Commitment.
“We are here to celebrate our graduating scholars, their families, and the teachers that have inspired them on this journey.” Abel Covarrubias, NCPA Director and GISH Class of 2010 Alum, said, “I am incredibly grateful for the partnerships that we have had here with GIPS, the community of Grand Island, and organizations like State Farm who have supported these students along the way.”
Launched in 2006, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln brought the immersive NCPA program to Grand Island Senior High. NCPA is, per their website, an innovative college access program that prepares first-generation students from income eligible families for college and their future careers. NCPA scholars who successfully complete NCPA high school requirements have access to the support of a community of peers, academic support, and personal development opportunities throughout college. NCPA’s college scholars also receive full financial assistance to pay the cost of college, including tuition, books, room and board, and fees. NCPA currently holds programs at Omaha North High Magnet School, Omaha South High Magnet School, Grand Island Senior High, and Winnebago Public High School.
For Abel Covarrubias, who is a proud GISH Graduate, a member of the inaugural NCPA cohort, and now the proud program director, the annual recognition ceremony makes a special connection for him.
“It means so much to me having this program in GISH, having this in Grand Island is even more beautiful.” Covarrubias affirmed, “Getting to see them graduate from here and then journey on and watching them walk across that stage with their Bachelors degrees is even more amazing! Since 2006 we’ve been able to serve so many different families. We’ll continue to serve our Islanders and our families here in the future as we celebrate these students as they reach college graduation.”
Eligible students may apply and interview for enrollment in the rigorous, academic program during their 8th Grade year. If meeting all the necessary criteria of low-income status with high academic achievement and desire to be a first generation college goer, soon-to-be GISH Freshman are accepted into NCPA as part of a four-year cohort. The program at Senior High currently has 104 students total.
Throughout their high school experience, they work with the two full-time NCPA Staff offices at GISH to learn about collegiate expectations, chart their high school course load for maximum opportunity, engage in social service projects, and more. Ultimately, the NCPA program is designed to empower students to both see and actualize their potential in charting new generational paths for themselves and become University goers and completers.
Seeing it all come together for the 18 NCPA GISH Seniors brings welcome celebration and emotion as they feel the futures they have visualized for four years start to come to fruition.
For one Senior, it means discovering the power of community.
“Not only has NCPA given me a group of people that I can now call a family, but also it has helped me connect to the community on a larger scale.” Issac Salazar, GISH Senior & NCPA Cohort Graduate, said, “Now I know that if I have any questions or if I ever feel alone, I have a group of people I can talk to and be a part of. I’m really grateful for the opportunity NCPA has given me during these past four years.”
Issac will be heading to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and intends to study Computer Science.
For another Senior, it was all about the journey and discovering herself and her passion in the process.
“The NCPA program has given me the confidence to understand that whatever passion I want to pursue I can do that with their help and I don’t have to worry about the burden of student debt.” Elizabeth ‘Lizzy’ Sikes, GISH Senior & NCPA Cohort Graduate, said as she held back tears, “I don’t have to worry about being alone in college because they’re next to me… I just appreciate NCPA and the freedom that they’ve given me in high school.”
Lizzy will be heading to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to study K-6th Grade Education and minor in Special Education.
For the 18 GISH NCPA graduates, it marks a moment of completion and an exciting start all at the same time. Grand Island Senior High looks forward to continuing the program and being a flagship advocate for first-generation college goers across the state of Nebraska.
Congratulations to the Grand Island Senior High Class of 2024 Nebraska College Preparatory Academy Graduates:
- Angel Pena Francisco
- Annalis Khemphomma
- Ashlyn Favazza
- Ace Grim
- Ren Alvarez
- Daisy Villatoro
- Denisse Paxtle
- Elizabeth Sikes
- Emma Villa-Lopez
- Issac Salazar
- John Clark
- Joseph Hayman
- Magda Kori
- Marixsa Mendoza
- Michelle Ramirez-Benavides
- Oseas Aguilar
- Yanci Torres
- Zoie Haar
