YMWIC April 2026 Newsletter

Preparing our Scholars to Create Tomorrow's Solutions®

A Season of Growth, Exploration, and Achievement

Curiosity Takes the Lead this Spring

“Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.”

~ William Arthur Ward

YMWIC Scholars competed in the Greater DC Area Botball Regional Tournament this month in Great Mills, MD. Scholars were hard at work throughout the Program Year during Saturday SIGs to prepare for this competition, and they were ready! The Scholars placed 2nd in the seeding and 5th overall! We are so proud of our Scholars and congratulate them for their hard work and commitment. Read More.

YMWIC MathCounts and TMAL Teams competed in the Penn Math Contest at the University of Pennsylvania this month. The Teams worked diligently all Program Year during the Saturday Math SIGs (Special Interest Groups) preparing for the competition at the University of Pennsylvania's Math Contest on April 18th, 2026, in Philadelphia, PA. The Middle and High school teams and coaches, Wanda Allaire and Jeanne Cavuto, attended and competed in the event. Join us in congratulating our Scholars for a job well done!

Congratulations to our Scholars who made Honor Roll and Distinguished Honor Roll for the Third Marking Period!

Chester Upland Chapter: Alonzo Taylor Alonzo Taylor attends STEM at Showalter where he is in the 12th grade. He joined YMWIC as a sophomore. What Alonzo likes most about YMWIC is how he’s given real opportunities to grow through leadership activities, workshops, and events that help prepare him for college and the future. He states, “The biggest impact has been pushing me to improve in school, especially in STEM. The academic tutoring, workshops, and expectations helped me become more disciplined and focused.” When Alonzo graduates, he would like to be a full-time Programmer/IT worker or a Software Developer/Engineer. Alonzo is still exploring his options but is interested in schools with strong STEM programs and good support systems, like Penn State University, Temple University, or Drexel University. Read More.

Coatesville Chapter: Adrian Naranjo Adrian, a senior at Collegium Charter School, has been making the most of every opportunity since joining the Foundation in 10th grade. Now in 12th grade, he reflects on how YMWIC has opened doors and helped shape his future—especially through a summer internship with PECO, where he gained valuable, hands-on experience in the energy industry. What stands out most to him about YMWIC is the opportunities to explore careers, build connections, and grow academically and professionally. This has influenced what he plans on studying after graduation. He wants to pursue a career in nuclear sciences, chemistry, or something in a field related to nuclear energy. With colleges like Penn State, West Virginia Tech, the University of Pittsburgh, and Michigan Tech on his radar, he already has a good focus on his path forward. Read More.

Furness Chapter: Eileen Aurelien is a 9th-grade Scholar at Furness High School who joined YMWIC this year. She has quickly become an engaged and enthusiastic member of the Foundation, especially enjoying hands-on experiments and interactive learning experiences. Through YMWIC, Eileen has had the opportunity to meet new people and build meaningful friendships, which she considers one of the most impactful aspects of her experience so far. She takes pride in her academic achievements, maintaining Honor Roll status since 7th grade. Outside of the classroom, Eileen expresses her creativity through art and occasionally plays the kalimba. She also enjoys spending time with friends and engaging in her hobbies. Looking ahead, she is interested in pursuing a career as an artist, though she is still exploring her college options. Read More.

Martin Luther King Chapter: Gabrielle Godbolt is a dedicated 12th-grade scholar at Martin Luther King High School and a proud member of the YMWIC program since the 11th grade. Gabrielle values the strong sense of community within YMWIC, sharing that what she enjoys most about the foundation is “the people and the experiments,” which reflects both her appreciation for connection and hands-on learning. Through her time in the program, Gabrielle has grown more confident, noting that YMWIC has helped her become more comfortable stepping outside of her shell. This personal growth has supported her aspirations to pursue a career in architecture, with Drexel University among the colleges she is considering for her future. Gabrielle encourages younger scholars to “be open to any opportunities,” emphasizing the importance of taking advantage of everything the program has to offer. Read More.

Norristown Blockson Chapter: Chris Ortiz is a 5th grade Scholar at Holy Cross Catholic School, has been a member of the Young Men and Women in Charge (YMWIC) Foundation since the third grade, and he has grown tremendously through his experiences with the Foundation. He especially enjoys hands-on projects that allow him to actively engage in learning, and he credits YMWIC with helping him build confidence in public speaking and overcoming his stage fright. Outside of academics, Christopher played basketball this year and described it as a lot of fun, showing his well-rounded interests. Looking ahead, he has big goals of attending college, with his sights set on Yale University. When asked what advice he would give to younger or new Scholars, Christopher keeps it simple but meaningful: “Try your best.”

Norristown Eisenhower Chapter: Dayanis Morales, a determined senior at Norristown Area High School and YMWIC Foundation member since the end of 8th grade, highlights the organization's transformative power through her remarkable journey. She treasures the tight-knit community that fosters mutual support, which has notably boosted her confidence and positioned her as a valuable resource for peers. With standout achievements like PA DECA Member of the Month, State Action Team Honors, and a Business and Technology Award, alongside running cross country and juggling two jobs while indulging in reading Fresh Facts, Dayanis aspires to excel in Computer Engineering and Accounting at elite schools such as Georgia Technical College, Caltech (California Institute of Technology), Lehigh University, or Purdue University. Read More.

Upper Darby Chapter: Nakiyah Wilder attends St. Lawrence Catholic School where she is in the 7th grade. She joined YMWIC when she was in 5th grade. What she favors most about the Foundation is the end-of-the-year celebration. She says, “It’s so much fun because everyone gets together with friends and new people, and it’s a great time!” YMWIC has really helped Nakiyah build her confidence. As a career interest, Nakiyah wants to be an Interior Designer. When asked about the advice she would give to younger Scholars, she says, “If I could give some advice to younger Scholars or any new members of YMWIC, it would be to always try your best, no matter what's going on; and be nice to others so you can make friends.” Nakiyah has received awards for Best Attendance and Perfect Attendance. In her free time, Nakiyah loves to hang out with her friends. Keep up the excellent work and positivity, Nakiyah!

Upper Darby Upward Bound Chapter: Zoe-Allie Abraham Upper Zoe-Allie Abraham is a senior at Upper Darby High School. She is nearing the final stretch of her secondary education with a bright outlook to future goals and opportunities. Diligence and willingness to grow provide Zoe-Allie the necessary grit to address life’s challenges while reaching for her aspirations of becoming a physician. During free time, Zoe-Allie enjoys listening to music, dancing, and singing. She is an active member of the (highly regarded) Upper Darby High School Choral Program. Zoe-Allie exemplifies a strong commitment to her faith, friendships, and personal growth; consistently striving to be a positive influence on those around her. This was recently evident when she readily stepped in to support younger, less-experienced Scholars through the Science Expo process. Her actions reflect the values of our Credo, and it is truly a pleasure to watch Zoe-Allie step confidently into adulthood with “Saturn Poise.” Congratulations on all you have accomplished, and we look forward to watching you enter into the next phase of your educational journey!

Workshop 14

Scholars from the West Chester, William Penn, and Norristown Chapters joined together for a special workshop hosted by the West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Students participated in 50-minute, hands-on sessions led by faculty and undergraduate mentors across disciplines including biology, chemistry, earth and space science, physics, biomedical engineering, political science, and mathematics. Each activity emphasized immersive learning connected to real-world applications. Read More.

We are excited to highlight Mr. Tim Wallace as this month’s Parent of the Month from the YMWIC Coatesville Chapter! Mr. Wallace has been a passionate advocate of the YMWIC Program for the past two years after his youngest son enrolled in the Program. Tanner, is a 9th Grade Scholar at Collegium Charter School, first enrolled in the program. Mr. Wallace is a dedicated parent and YMWIC advocate who has attended almost every Project Support and Workshop Session provided this Program Year! Read More.

YMWIC Scholarship & Awards Banquet 16th Anniversary

This year, YMWIC will host our 16th Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet. This exciting event will be held at the Sheraton Valley Forge Hotel in King of Prussia, PA, on Thursday, May 21, 2026. During the Banquet, we showcase our Scholars for their achievements, reward our graduating senior Scholars with the college scholarships they have earned to attend the colleges of their choice, and recognize community leaders who make a difference in our community by inspiring action, empowering others, strategic and visionary thinking, and service to others. This year's award recipients are:

West Impact Award - Johnson Matthey, received by Joseph Hutson, SCAT Lab Development Engineer

Educational Leadership Award for Secondary Education - Dr. Jason Sherlock, Principal B. Henderson Reed High School

Educational Leadership Award for Post-Secondary Education - Beth Bollinger, Saint Vincent College, Chemistry Lab Manager and Senior Lecturer, Chemistry Department

Community Leadership Award - Sandra Bradley, Community Engagement Specialist, WCASD

There will be a delicious dinner and an inspiring message from dynamic Keynote Speaker, Carniesha Kwashie, Senior Manager of Workforce Development Corporate and Community Impact at PECO. Carniesha is an award-winning professional known for her social, racial, and economic justice-driven initiatives. She earned her dual Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) in African American Studies and Psychology at Temple University and a Master of Science (MS) in Interior Architecture and Design at Drexel University.

Join us as we celebrate our Scholars, Community Leaders, and 16 glorious years of hosting this amazing evening of fellowship and fun! To register to attend this amazing event or to make a donation, use this link.

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If you would like to sponsor this popular event, make a donation, or purchase an ad in our Souvenir Program Booklet, please click here.

YMWIC is seeking to support our local chapters in elementary and secondary education in math, ELA, and Science. 

YMWIC is also looking for Volunteers to support Additional volunteer opportunities: Event committee participation with the Golf Classic, Scholarship Banquet, and College Expo.

If you are interested in applying for a volunteer opportunity, please select this link, and we will contact you immediately. All volunteers must have the required clearances: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Criminal History Clearance which is required for all employees and some volunteers.

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We can’t wait to see you join our social media family and experience all the awesome things happening at YMWIC. Let’s have some fun together!

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Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC): YMWIC Foundation, Inc., is eligible to receive funds from the EITC Program which is administered by Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development. We thank those businesses that donate their EITC funding to YMWIC Foundation and encourage others to consider directing funding to our impactful community nonprofit that provides college and career preparation for K-12 students; empowers their families; counseling, financial support and internships for YMWIC college alumni; and enriches our communities through Community Service activities, increasing the number of college graduates, and developing a talented and skilled workforce. Please contact Rick Roberts at (610) 340-2844 if you would like to consider our YMWIC Foundation, Inc., as a recipient of your company's EITC funds. The EITC Program allows approved business and corporate contributions to be turned into tax credits. Whatever amount you owe in Pennsylvania taxes, 70%-90% up to $750,000 annually can be distributed to eligible nonprofit organizations lowering your state taxes by the amount donated in communities you serve. Contact us if interested in sending EITC funds to YMWIC Foundation, an eligible and impactful community nonprofit.