Celebrating Women’s History Month
Dear MOSTe Family,
Happy International Women’s Day! It can be hard to feel like celebrating, what with the escalating war in Ukraine, the increasing climate crisis, and the battles for free speech and human rights across our country. Still, we can take heart from the receding pandemic and the fact that, with the presumptive confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson, there will soon be four women on the Supreme Court, two of them working mothers. It’s not all the way to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s desired “nine,” but let’s allow it to put wind in our sails for the fights ahead.
Many thanks to IICF for their support of our program! We’re looking forward to our Women in Business Day on March 19, hosted by ASU Local, as well as our Women’s History workshop and richly deserved Mentor Appreciation event this weekend.
We’re thrilled to see the college acceptances coming in for our Class of 2022! To meet our remarkable Scholars in person, get your tickets to our Lanterns Awards on April 21, and mark your calendars for our Culmination Celebration at USC on June 11. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Let me know!
Onwards,
Amy Ludwig
Executive Director
MOSTe In Action
Body Positivity Workshop
We kicked off February with the first in our Body Positivity Series. Students learned about the roots and history of the Body Positivity Movement, analyzed the toxicity of advertising culture, and discussed the importance of centering all people. They wrote a list of things that make them feel confident, and identified ways to challenge negative beliefs. We are excited to continue this conversation throughout the semester!
College Student Panel
Huge thanks to our amazing MOSTe college scholars Maricarmen (GWU), Jocelyn (UCLA), Val (Berkeley), and Katy (UCI), who participated in our College Student Panel! They shared their experience of the ups, downs and everything in between of their journey to higher education. Our middle school and high school students asked important and thoughtful questions to help clarify and envision their own paths ahead.
Self Defense Workshop
MOSTe scholars had the opportunity to participate in a self defense workshop this month led by Impact Personal Safety. Students learned the fundamentals of self defense and put this knowledge to the test in simulated scenarios. Thank you to our super-loyal Cochran MS Teacher Liaison, Jeanne Pollyea, for enabling us to use the space, and to the amazing staff of Impact for supporting the students with their knowledge and affirmations through the day!
High School Highlights
Class of 2023
12 MOSTe Juniors have been selected to go on our Bay Area College Tour over LAUSD spring break! Led by Directors of Programs and Advising Briseida and Naima, with the support of Mentor Christa D., they will visit five colleges including UC Berkeley, Stanford, and San Jose State, meet with MOSTe students attending those schools, and explore the history and culture of the region. This will be our first long-distance college tour since the pandemic, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to spark our scholars’ imaginations about what they can expect from their college experience.
Mentor Moment
“By this time we are very comfortable with each other, they are opening up nicely. It’s so different than in the beginning when they were very shy. I’m grateful for the progress we’ve made!” –Mentor Carrie T.
“We met to celebrate Evelyn’s 13th birthday and Sherlyn’s 16th birthday! Evelyn chose a Mexican restaurant in Lincoln Heights. Sherlyn shared that her high school counselor had recommended her for the 2022 Warren Christopher Scholarship that will provide the selected 10th grade high school student with a $20,000 scholarship!” –Mentor Elba S.
“Monica is excelling and thriving in her studies and extracurricular activities!” –Mentor Ashlee Z.
“We did a Bob Ross painting activity that encouraged wellness and creativity!” –Mentor Cristal T.
