Small Town News

LHS students selected for Ivy League Project

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LHS' Valeric Esparza and Victoria Reynoso to tour Ivy League campuses, This spring Lindsay High School students Valerie Espar-za and Victoria Reynoso will travel to see some of the top schools in the world, all thanks to the Ivy League Project.

The Ivy League Project (ILP) was founded by Martin Mares in 1992 out of Parlier. The ILP was established to encourage students to apply to the most prestigious universities in America. The program selects the most talented and promising 10th and 11th grade students and takes them to visit the top universities on the east coast. Students have to apply for the program, which is no easy task. LHS Spanish teacher Adrian Guiterrez who helped encourage the girls to apply said "the application process is rigourous.

"It consists of several teacher recommendations, three essays and an upfront interview with local professionals both in and out of education," said Guiter-rez.

But both ladies were up for the task.

"You didn't know what to expect at first," said Esparza who summed up the process in one word, "nerveracking." But she said soon she felt at ease.

Esparza is now looking at Brown, Princeton, Harvard and U.C. Irvine.

"Before I was just looking at U.C. Irvine, but the Ivy League Project has opened up a whole new door for me," said Espar-za.

Reynoso was planning on only applying to UCLA, but now has added Harvard and University of Pennsylvania to her list.

"Most students in their sophomore and juniors haven't made a concrete decision on their college plans," said Guiterrez. "For many, this is a decisive time to consider their options. About 90% of those in the Ivy League Project will be accepted by at least one Ivy League school."

Reynoso said she felt the educational system at LHS has prepared her for an Ivy League school.

"Being able to achieve a 4.0 at LHS has been a big thing for me," said Reynoso. "Thechange in our grading system has also helped me. I have to work on my own and I've had to push myself."

In April, the entire Ivy League Project group will tour MIT, Harvard, Yale, Brown, Princeton and others. They will stay with current students in the dorms and during the day meet with admissions officers.

Each Lindsay High girl needs to raise $1,800.

Those interested in sponsoring can contact their advisor, Mr. Adrian Gutierrez at Lindsay High School at 562-5911 ext. 5543 or by email agutier-rez@lindsay.kl2.ca.us.

Checks can be made out to Lindsay High School - Ivy League.



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© 2011 The Foothills Sun-Gazette Exeter, California. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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