Guardian Scholars students posing with President Gordon

This year's graduating Guardian Scholars are, from left, front row, Torhon Barnes, Jayde Rossi Albert and NataliaYungerlevi; second row, program coordinator Giulii Kraemer, Ahmad Makboul, Michael Kops and Victor Fletes; third row, Jessica Greer, Lisa Hoxter and program director Grace Johnson; back row, Robert Palmer, vice president for student affairs and President Milton A. Gordon. Not pictured is Angel O'Mara. Photo by Patrick O'Donnell

They Did It!

Overcoming Life's Early Challenges, Nine Guardian Scholars Will Graduate

May 16, 2008 :: No. 268

For many of this year's senior class of Guardian Scholars - all of them former wards of the state - graduation is like a second emancipation. But this particular "liberation" will be much more celebratory, as these nine scholars achieve their dreams of graduating this weekend as part of Cal State Fullerton's Class of 2008.

As wards of the state, children in California's foster care system may have had many "homes" by the time they reach the age of 18, but their encounters with counselors and social workers rarely provide the stability and lasting relationships, let alone the college readiness that other students their age take for granted.

The Guardian Scholars program was created at Cal State Fullerton in collaboration with the Orangewood Children's Foundation to help foster youth succeed in college and life. The first of its kind in California, the program launched in 1998 with the support of alumnus Ronald V. Davis (B.A. business administration '69), chairman of Davis Capital, and an anonymous donor.

Emancipated foster youth selected as Guardian Scholars receive year-round housing, financial aid, counseling, academic tutoring and support, all part of a comprehensive program leveraging the expertise and resources of private-, public- and independent-sector agencies.

About 4,000 18-year-olds emancipate from foster care in California every year, often without the social support or life skills they need to succeed. Only 19 percent of emancipated foster youth enroll in college, compared with 62 percent of 19-year-olds nationally, and less than 2 percent complete a bachelor's degree, compared with 24 percent of the general population. Cal State Fullerton's Guardian Scholars have achieved a 73 percent gradation rate.

Graduating as part of the Class of 2008 are:

Torhon Barnes

Torhon Barnes of Fullerton, bachelor of science in child and adolescent development; minor in sociology. Barnes has worked at the Orangewood Children's Foundation for more than two years and plans to continue after graduation as Peer Mentor Program coordinator. In 2006, he received the John R. Wooden Spirit of Giving Award for his contribution as an outstanding volunteer. He is the 2008 recipient of the Robert Palmer Guardian Scholar Scholarship, awarded to an undergraduate entering a Cal State Fullerton graduate program in one of the helping professions. Barnes plans to pursue a master's degree in social work.
Victor Fletes

Victor Fletes of Fullerton, bachelor of arts with a double major in sociology and criminal justice. Throughout his years as a Guardian Scholar, Fletes was a member of the student advisory committee, and this year, served as a student representative to the Guardian Scholars Advisory Board. In 2004, he chaired the Orange County chapter of the California Youth Connection. For two years, Fletes was an Orangewood Children's Foundation peer mentor and resource liaison, and in 2006, worked at the Orange County Children's Foundation group home as a lead staff member. Since 2006, he has been on the Dean's List and a member of Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honors Society. Following graduation he is joining the Coast Guard.
Jessica Greer

Jessica Greer of Placentia, bachelor's degree with a double major in child and adolescent development and human services. Greer was awarded the Outstanding Lower Division Child and Adolescent Studies Student Award her freshman year. She served in a variety of positions on campus, including vice president of the Freshman Programs Student Association, and the CSUF Student California Teacher's Association, peer mentor for Freshman Programs and volunteer for the Women's Center. She currently serves as president of the California Youth Orange County chapter the California Youth Connection. In addition, Greer is a peer mentor and case manager for the Orangewood Children's Foundation. She is graduating with cum laude honors.
Lisa Hoxter

Lisa Hoxter of Fullerton, bachelor of arts in English; minor in art. Throughout her years as a Guardian Scholar, Hoxter was a member of the program's student advisory and social committees. Her presence in the program has been solidified by her artwork, which is displayed in the Guardian Scholars drop-in center. In 2006, Hoxter served as a digital storytelling project student leader.
Michael Kops

Michael Kops of Fullerton, bachelor of science in kinesiology. Among Kops' fondest memories as a Guardian Scholar are attending the Big Boys Men's Camp in 2005 - thanks to the support of donors Allen and Susan Boerner - and giving a presentation at the Newport Beach Yacht Club with donors Jerry and Margie Schubert on behalf of the program. His future goals include earning his master's degree in kinesiology.
Ahmad Makboul

Ahmad Makboul of Riverside, bachelor of arts in liberal studies. In 2007, Makboul participated in the digital storytelling project in Berkeley. With his passion for working with children, he plans to become an elementary school teacher. His future plans include obtaining a teaching credential and master's degree in education.
Angel O'Mara

Angel O'Mara of Anaheim, bachelor of science in human services with an emphasis in mental health. O'Mara is currently working in her specialized field serving mentally disabled adults at Creative Identity. She plans to earn a special education teaching credential in the near future.
Jayde Rossi-Albert

Jayde Rossi-Albert of Irvine, bachelor of science in human services. Rossi-Albert has received many academic honors, including making the Dean's List, becoming a member in the Golden Key International Honor Society and receiving the 2007 Spirit of Volunteerism Award as an outstanding volunteer in Orange County. She has completed more than 360 hours of internship work at Girls Inc. and the Orangewood Children's Foundation, and has been involved with Orangewood Children's Foundation as a peer mentor. Rossi-Albert will return to Cal State Fullerton in the fall to work toward an advanced degree in nursing through the Entry-Level Master's in Nursing Program.
Natalia Yungerlevi

Natalia Yungerlevi of Fullerton, bachelor of arts in business administration. As a budding entrepreneur, Yungerlevi has started her own dog daycare and training business in Culver City. Her business plan is currently being considered for a $60,000 grant offered by the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics.

Photos: Available online at www.fullerton.edu/newsphotos

Media Contacts:
Grace Johnson, Guardian Scholars, 657-278-4900 or gjohnson@fullerton.edu
Gail Matsunaga, Public Affairs, 657-278-4851 or gmatsunaga@fullerton.edu

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