OC Register, "Nicholas Academic Centers hold alumni reunion"

The following information was submitted by Fernando Martinez, director of academic services for Nicholas Academic Center II in Santa Ana.

More than 50 recent high school graduates from the Santa Ana Unified School District, all alumni of the Nicholas Academic Centers, came together on Jan. 5 in celebration of having taken the road less traveled when they chose to attend college.

The annual event featured students from the Santa Ana community who now attend colleges across the nation, including Georgetown, Allegheny, Grinnell, UC Berkeley, and Cal State East Bay, among others. During the event, students shared anecdotes and common experiences in their chosen path to college.

Mariana de Vicenzo, a Santa Ana High School graduate and current student at Georgetown University, said that attending college on the east coast helped her “meet people from all over the world,” adding that the experience “just blows your mind because it really changes your perspective on not only your home, but also your own mentality and how you view other people and other cultures.”

Mariana is one of 150 NAC graduates now attending college, including many of the nation’s top schools. In addition, NAC alumni have earned a total of more than $2 million in scholarships and financial aid.

The centers were established in 2008 by Dr. Henry Nicholas, co-founder and former co-chairman, president and CEO of Broadcom Corporation and retired Orange County Superior Court Judge Jack Mandel.

Over the last two years, 100 percent of NAC seniors have gone on to college, compared to 61 percent for Hispanic high school students nationwide, and 96 percent of NAC graduates who attend four-year colleges are still enrolled, with many excelling academically.

By contrast, according to the College Board, national sophomore retention rates for all students are less than 80 percent, and only 46.8 percent of Hispanic college students graduate within six years.

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OC Register, "Nicholas Academic Centers alumni share college tips with teens"

Home from college on winter break, alumni from the Nicholas Academic Centers shared experiences and advice with over 100 current NAC students at the annual “College Knowledge Alumni Panel” held at NACII on the Valley High School campus. On the panel were students from private colleges such as Haverford, Smith and Colgate, and public institutions such as UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton and Santa Ana College. They discussed academic experiences, the culture shock of being away from home, and the many community activities they engage in to enrich their college experiences. - HTN Foundation

Nicholas Academic Centers alumni share college tips with teens

THERESA CISNEROS / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

In this photo Erik Chavarria, a 2010 graduate from the Nicholas Academic Centers in Santa Ana who attends Morningside College in Iowa, shares his experiences with current NAC students.

"Alumni from the Nicholas Academic Centers (NAC), home from college for winter break, shared experiences and advice with over 100 current high school students from the centers on Dec. 22 at NACII on the Valley High School campus in Santa Ana.

The annual "College Knowledge Alumni Panel" included students from private colleges such as Haverford, Smith and Colgate, and public institutions such as UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton and Santa Ana College.

Topics ranged from academic experiences to culture shock to contributions students are making in their communities. Alumni panelists encouraged NAC students not to be discouraged by economic and cultural obstacles.

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OC Register, "She went from gang area to D.C"

The Nicholas Academic Centers held their third annual Thanksgiving dinner celebration Nov. 23 at Valley High School for more than 200 students, NAC staff and community leaders. NAC co-founders Judge Jack Mandel and Dr. Henry Nicholas were joined by Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido in congratulating students on their academic success, while challenging them to succeed in college and become leaders in their chosen careers. Among the speakers was Ana Rodriguez, a NAC alumna and freshmen at Georgetown University, who told the audience that, “The NAC prepared me for leadership and today I stand as a leader. I’ve become an example of the fruits that can be borne from a city like Santa Ana.” Also sharing her experiences was Marylinda Bustamante, who attends Valley High School.  “Since I don’t have Internet access at home or even a computer, it’s really hard to get my work done,” she said. “But I know I can really count on the NAC. I know I couldn’t have been a straight A student last year without the NAC.”

Below is a Q&A that Orange County Register columnist Frank Mickadeit conducted with Rodriguez as she enjoyed her turkey dinner. - HTN Foundation

She went from gang area to D.C

By FRANK MICKADEIT COLUMNIST / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Ana Rodriguez, left, talks to Rocio Chavez-Bonilla, director of social services for the Nicholas Academic Centers in Santa Ana during the annual Thanksgiving party Henry Nicholas hosts for the students and center alumni. After spending her childhood in a gang area of Santa Ana, Rodriquez graduated from high school last year and is now at Georgetown University. She credits the SAT prep she did at the afterschool center with helping her get into college. FRANK MICKADEIT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

In what appears to have become a Thanksgiving tradition for me, I spent the evening before at the little soiree Henry Nicholas hosts for the kids and staff at the academic tutoring centers he funds in Santa Ana. About 150 Nicholas Academic Center students have gone on to college in the last three years.

This party is a time for some of those who've gone off to college to come back and inspire the kids who are still putting in the hours at the tutoring centers. One alum back in town over the weekend was Ana Rodriguez. She grew up on Chestnut Avenue in Santa Ana, the oldest of three. Her father is a roofer and her mother is a housekeeper. Ana graduated from Godinez High School last year and is now at Georgetown. As she ate a plate of turkey and fixings, I got her to do a Q&A.

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