Angie Isaza,
An East Boston high school student studying at Boston Latin School can take a little breather now that she knows she’ll be getting a free ride in college.
Boston Latin senior Angie Isaza was awarded a four-year scholarship through the Posse Foundation to attend Bucknell University in Pennsylvania starting in Fall 2012. The news came as many of Isaza’s classmates are still trying to make college admission decisions.
Isaza is one of 10 Posse scholars and was identified by the foundation as a public high school student with extraordinary academic and leadership potential. The scholarship will give Isaza the opportunity to pursue personal and academic excellence by placing her in a supportive, multicultural team of 10 students at the university dubbed the ‘Posse’. As a Posse partner, Bucknell University will fund Angie’s full-tuition scholarship for all four year at the school.
Isaza’s road to Boston Latin School and subsequent college scholarship began in fifth grade at the Curtis Guild School in East Boston. She was accepted to The Steppingstone Academy, which is a free summer and after-school academic program that prepares underserved students for success in competitive high schools, and eventually college.
After 14 months in Steppingstone’s academic program, Isaza entered Boston Latin’s seventh-grade ready to thrive. Once at BLS, Isaza continued to make use of Steppingstone’s extensive college readiness support services, including Saturday tutoring, college tours, steeply discounted SAT preparation classes, course selection assistance, and financial aid advising. “Steppingstone is one of the best things that ever happened to me – they do it all,” said Isaza.
The hard work and preparation for high school academics began paying off as she adjusted to the competitive curriculum at Boston Latin. In her six years there, Isaza participated in the Talented and Gifted program, the Nutrition Club, and the Fashion Talent Club, in addition to earning great grades.
Isaza completed internships doing lab research at Harvard University and later at the State House as an intern for Representative Linda Dorcena Forry. Last summer, Isaza gave back to Steppingstone through serving as a Teacher Assistant.
“It was easy to see myself as a young Scholar years ago,” said Isaza. “I’m glad these kids have a place to go to and program that will help them move forward – it helped me get where I am today and it will help them too.”
Isaza is also involved in the Eastie community serving as a catechist at Most Holy Redeemer Church during her sophomore and junior year in high school.
A first generation Colombian-American student, Isaza will be the first in her family to attend college.
She said she is eagerly anticipating her arrival at Bucknell’s campus and the new opportunities a college environment will bring.
“I want to push myself to do great work and be open to new experiences and people,” she said.
And while she is unsure of a college major, she said she is thinking about the public health field.
“At the end of the day, I want to help people, ” said Isaza.