YMWIC October 2024 Newsletter

YMWIC is Committed to Greatness

“Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service.”

~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

YMWIC would like to thank Erin Petters and the Technical College High School-Pickering Campus for providing the venue for hosting our Phoenixville Chapter workshops. We value our partnership and look forward to future collaborations.

Janis A. Bady, YMWIC Class of 2024

In this month's Alumni Spotlight, we are proud to feature Janis A. Bady, a 2024 graduate of YMWIC who is already making impressive strides in her post-graduation journey. Janis reflects on how YMWIC shaped her both personally and professionally. "YMWIC taught me how to conduct myself in professional spaces and enhanced the leadership skills I use daily. The Program taught me how to hold myself accountable."



Since graduating, Janis has continued her education at The Juilliard School in New York City, where she is a first-year dance major. Her college experience has been both exciting and enlightening. Read more.

Our YMWIC Scholars recently enjoyed an unforgettable visit to St. Vincent University, packed with hands-on activities and engaging learning experiences. From the moment they arrived, the day was filled with excitement and discovery.

One standout moment was the science experiment where Scholars mixed chemicals to create a banana pudding scent, sparking their curiosity in chemistry through a fun and interactive activity. This hands-on experiment was a big hit and got everyone excited about the possibilities within the field of science. Read more.

YMWIC Pre-College Program

If you have a student who is a rising 3rd - 11th grade student in the Chester Upland, Coatesville, Kennett Consolidated, Norristown, Phoenixville, Upper Darby, West Chester, William Penn School Districts, Horace Furness High School or Martin Luther King High School in Philadelphia; and you are interested in having them become a part of a dynamic and rewarding Program, register them for the YMWIC Pre-College Program, an After-School and Out-of-School Time Program. Our Program provides immersive and hands-on on-site opportunities for experiencing STEAM, business, and the Arts. We offer workshops, Community Service events, a Science Expo, Academic Tutoring, Workplace Readiness, SAT Prep Workshops, College Tours, assistance with the college Financial Aid and Application Process, and an opportunity to earn College Scholarships!

Select these links for the Online Scholar Application and the Scholar Personal Statement. We look forward to welcoming all new and returning Scholars to another exciting Program Year!

YMWIC is proud to offer Saturday activities for our Scholars throughout the academic year, providing enriching experiences that foster both personal and academic growth. On Saturday, October 5th, we kicked off the first SIGS (Special Interest Group Sessions) of the year, where our Scholars participated in both the Jazz Ensemble and Choir, under the expert guidance of Mr. Thomas.

The Jazz Ensemble Scholars hit the ground running by starting to learn the iconic song "Lean on Me." Through teamwork and dedication, they began understanding the complexities of the piece, mastering both their instruments and the harmonies involved. Read more.

Chester Upland Chapter: Meet Calvin Stokes, a dedicated 9th grade Scholar from Chester STEM Academy and a proud member of YMWIC since this school year. As a new Scholar, Calvin is already taking advantage of the Foundation’s college-focused programs sharing, “I get to check out colleges,” as his favorite aspect. For Calvin, YMWIC has provided a platform for self-discovery, helping him learn more about himself and his potential.

Calvin aspires to be an actor or singer after high school with Penn State at the top of his college wish list. Read more.

Coatesville Chapter: Meet Mohamed Elkhouly, a dedicated 12th grade Scholar from Downingtown East High School who is passionate about science and technology. Mohamed's favorite subject is Science; and outside the classroom, he enjoys staying active as a member of his school’s wrestling team and participating in various club sports. In addition to his athletic pursuits, Mohamed is involved in after-school coding, sharpening his skills and preparing for his future career aspirations. Read more.

Furness Chapter: Meet Michelline Kho, an 8th grade Scholar from Furness High School in the Philadelphia School District who is preparing for an exciting new chapter as she enters high school next year! Michelline's favorite subject is Math, though she humorously points out she loves the more challenging math problems. A lover of badminton, she also finds passion in mural arts and attending church.

At this point, Michelline is setting her sights on becoming either an Engineer or a MNedical Doctor. Read more.

Martin Luther King Chapter: As Jonathan McCoy prepares to begin his first year of college at Eastern University this September, he reflects on his journey and the path ahead. With a passion for architectural engineering, Jonathan is eager to turn his academic interests into a future career. His favorite subjects in school, Reading, Writing and Spanish, have shaped his learning experience, but his aspirations go far beyond the classroom.

While Jonathan isn't involved in sports and hasn't joined any clubs yet, he is keeping an open mind about finding something he enjoys at Eastern University. Read more.

Norristown Blockson Chapter: Meet Arianna Kelsey, a 5th grade Scholar at East Norriton Middle School and one of the newest members of YMWIC, in our Norristown Blockson Chapter. Arianna joined the Foundation this year and has already been making the most of the workshops and project support sessions, where she not only completes her homework but also learns about fascinating experiments.



Since becoming part of YMWIC, Arianna has noticed a positive impact on her ability to manage her time and study more effectively. Read more.

Norristown Eisenhower Chapter: Meet Myla Massolena. Here is her bio in her own words:

"Hi, my name is Myla Massolena; and I am a 12th-grade student at Upper Merion Area High School. I also attend Central Montco Technical High School for Cosmetology. I joined YMWIC in 7th grade, and I’ve really enjoyed the college tours and the valuable lessons I’ve learned in workshops. The biggest impact the Foundation has had on me is boosting my confidence in learning and public speaking.

After graduating, I plan to attend Virginia State University or Savannah State University to study Business with the goal of owning my own salon." Read more.

Phoenixville Chapter: August Kollar is our featured Scholar for the Phoenixville Chapter this month. August, who is in the 7th grade at Phoenixville Area Middle School, joined YMWIC when he was in the 3rd grade. When asked what he likes most about being a member, August said, “I love the workshops; they give me more opportunities to get exposure to science. I think that YMWIC will help me learn more than I might learn in class at school.” He added, “I really learn so much each time I do a project for the Science Expo. I think that learning the Scientific Method will help me be a better scientist and science student.” August also enjoys the Community Service events he has the opportunity to participate in with YMWIC. Read more.

Upper Darby Chapter: This month, we are thrilled to spotlight the fantastic Fatima Afrani, an 11th grade student at Upper Darby High School and a dedicated member of the Upper Darby Chapter of YMWIC. Fatima joined YMWIC in the summer before her 10th grade year and has since flourished within the Foundation building awesome connections and honing her skills for future success.

What Fatima enjoys most about YMWIC are the networking opportunities with both staff and fellow Scholars. She credits the Foundation with helping her learn how to achieve her goals and become a well-rounded, contributing member of society. Read more.

West Chester Chapter: At YMWIC, we love to see our Scholars excel! We are proud to share that Tisya Dinesh, who is in the 10th grade at Henderson High School, was extended a prestigious invitation to join the National Society of High School Scholars this year. A hard-working, dedicated, and very involved student, Tisya’s favorite school subject is psychology and she is very much looking forward to the challenges of her Advanced Place classes this year. Tisya is also a very dedicated and active YMWIC Scholar, and is currently working on learning to use her time most efficiently. Read more.

William Penn Chapter: Jada Hitchcock, a 6th grade Scholar at Cornerstone Christian Academy, has been a proud member of YMWIC since 3rd grade. One of her favorite aspects of the Foundation is participating in Community Service projects, which allow her to give back while learning valuable life skills.



Jada credits YMWIC with helping her develop public speaking skills. She realizes these skills will be essential in her future career. She dreams of becoming a teacher after high school and has her sights set on Widener University for her college education. Read more.

The YMWIC Pre-College Program includes two workshops per month at each of our Chapters. Scholars in each grade cohort receive the same workshop curriculum and experiences at each Chapter. Following are summaries of what took place at the first three workshops of the Program Year.

Workshops #1

We kicked off the 2024-2025 Program Year by hosting our Virtual Workshop 1 and Orientation. Our Scholars and families had the opportunity to participate in a Program-Wide Virtual Event where they received an overview of the 2024-2025 Program Year, Program Scholar Expectation updates, and all the additional support we will be providing. They also engaged in our Virtual District Roll Call! Scholars and families received Program updates and information regarding their Scholar’s success as members of YMWIC.

Workshops #2

The second Workshops were our first on-site workshop of the Program Year, meeting at locations within each of our eight Partner school districts. We welcomed new and returning Scholars. During our second workshop, Scholars had the opportunity to share a bit about themselves through our icebreaker activity and by completing the Newsletter Questionnaire which we use to create a bio for the Scholars featured in each Newsletter.

Additionally, Scholars reviewed a wide variety of Science Projects and selected which ones they wanted to focus on for the YMWIC 2024 Science Expo. Our 9th-11th grade Scholars also had the opportunity to choose their Science Project partners. All Scholars were quite excited about their selections and the scientific work ahead of them.

Workshops #3

The third Workshops provided dynamic, hands-on learning experiences that reinforced critical thinking, collaboration, and the application of the Scientific Method.



Scholars participated in an engaging STEM activity focused on testing the absorbency of different paper towel brands. Divided into small groups, they collaborated on an experiment that compared three brands of paper towels. Parents were actively involved as facilitators, guiding and assisting the Scholars throughout the activity, making it a true community effort. Read more.

Those Who Have Dared to Be Different 

by Christina Kumi – Upper Darby Chapter

There have been many times in my life when I've answered discussion questions in class about historical figures and presidents who were “the first of their kind” in the title they held. I have answered many questions about who they were and what their impact was; but last week, my English teacher proposed a different question when discussing the possibility of having a woman be president for the first time in relation to what history has seen when observing women hold such positions: Why don’t these figures immediately present or fight for their more radical viewpoints when finally granted the power to make the changes? This question immediately made me realize that these specific types of public figures have had the often-overlooked job of setting the precedent. Read more.

At YMWIC, we are fortunate to have many dedicated parents who go above and beyond to support our Scholars and the mission of our organization. One such individual is Alvin Edwards, father of Alvena Edwards, who has been an invaluable part of our community throughout the programming year.



For a significant portion of the year, Mr. Edwards took on the responsibility of providing local carpooling for Scholars, ensuring they had reliable transportation to and from activities. His commitment to making sure our young learners arrived safely and on time was a tremendous help to both Scholars and their families. Read more.

IT'S ALMOST HERE! The YMWIC 19th Annual College & Career Expo!

The YMWIC 19th Annual College & Career Expo will take place on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9:00AM to 2:00PM at Henderson High School in West Chester, PA. College, Corporate, and Career representatives will provide Scholars and Parents with valuable career and college information on topics including: College Readiness and Admissions Qualifications, the College Application Process, FAFSA Form Process, Financial Literacy, STEM Careers, Personal Branding, Apprenticeships, and Interviewing Skills.

And so much more!

Families and Community Members:

There's still time to register to attend the YMWIC 19th Annual College & Career Expo! Simply select this link and complete the registration form.

College and University Representatives and Corporate and Community Partners:

You are invited to interact one-on-one with YMWIC Scholars and their families at the YMWIC 19th Annual College & Career Expo. To register to take part at this exciting event as a Workshop Presenter or Expo Exhibitor, click here.

The YMWIC Pre-Apprenticeship Program Orientation Launch!

Our Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Young Adults is designed for YMWIC Alumni and young adults aged 18-25. This Program is ideal for you if you hold a High School Diploma or GED and are seeking a hands-on pathway to employment in the trades or a non-degree area, without pursuing a 4-year college path. Participants are not required to be YMWIC Alumni. This comprehensive program includes experiential and enriching Saturday and evening workshops in collaboration with our industry partners, along with an 8-week paid summer internship in June and July. The focus is preparing members to enter the workplace either directly, or through a formal Apprenticeship Program with a YMWIC Partner company. 



We will be hosting an on-site Orientation Session for the YMWIC Pre-Apprenticeship Program on November 12, 2024. For more information about the Program, click here. If you would like to complete an application to be part of our Inaugural Pre-Apprenticeship Program, select this link.

YMWIC 2024-2025 Program Year Key Dates & Volunteer Opportunities -- Mark your Calendar!

• September, 2024 – May, 2025: Workshops at partnering school districts and tutoring*
• November 9, 2024: 19th Annual College & Career Expo*
• November 12, 2024: YMWIC Pre-Apprenticeship Program Orientation
• December 14, 2024: Holiday Giving Event*
• February 15, 2025: 14th Annual Science Expo and Scholar Presentations*
• March 5 – 9, 2025: NSBE 51st National Conference in Chicago, Illinois
• April 14 – 18, 2025: College Tour to Ohio State University, University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania State University, Saint Vincent College, and Robert Morris University
• April – May, 2025: Job Shadowing Period*
• April, 2025: Robotics Team Competition in Washington, DC*
• May 22, 2025: 15th Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet*
• June 16 – July 24, 2025: Summer Programs (K–12)*
• June 1 – August 5, 2025: Summer Jobs & Internships for 12th grade Scholars and Alumni*
• September 8, 2025: 12th Annual Scholarship and STEM Golf Classic* 

*These are volunteer opportunities for Partner Employee Involvement.

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

YMWIC is also looking for volunteers to support our science projects during the September – February timeframe.

Additional volunteer opportunities include:

Event committee participation with the Golf Classic, Scholarship Banquet, Science Expo 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.

Want to keep up with our amazing YMWIC Scholars? We’ve got you covered! Follow us on Instagram and Meta (formerly Facebook) to stay in the loop on all the fun, learning, and exciting updates happening in our programs.

It’s super easy to join in! Just open up your Instagram or Meta (Facebook) app, search for YMWICScholars, and hit that Follow button when you see our logo. Don’t be shy—drop a comment and say hi! 👋

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!

📲 Click HERE to follow us on Meta (Facebook)! 📸 Click HERE to catch us on Instagram!

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 the recipient of your company's EITC funds.