On Sunday, July 3, Phillips Exeter Academy welcomed 774 students to campus. These students representing 42 states and 37 countries. Carly Cresta of Peterborough and Dylan Loll, 16, of Antrim were among them.
Cresta and Loll are participating in the five-week Philip Exeter Summer Academy as part of a new partnership between Philip Exeter Academy and the ConVal Dollars for Scholars program.
This year in addition to awarding $40,000 to seniors who overcame personal challenges, demonstrated need and showed character and scholarship the ConVal Dollars for program raised over $10,000 and partnered with Phillip Exeter Academy and sponsored two juniors for the Academy’s summer program.
“It was with great pride and excitement as both Dollars for Scholars Board Member and Phillips Exeter Summer School Associate Dean that I was able to greet them both when they arrived on campus today,” said Ben Putnam head of the ConVal Art Department and Associate Dean at Philip Exeter.
For the next five weeks Loll will be taking classes in Theater Arts, Drawing and Creative Writing and Cresta will be taking classes in astronomy, literature and humanities.
The partnership is a new idea for the Dollars for Scholars program, but reaching students at an early stage in their education is a something board members feel very strongly about.
“This early intervention is a way to keep the academic fire burning and expose students to wider educational, social and cultural opportunities,” explained Judy Tomlinson, executive director for the ConVal Dollars for Scholars program.
Cresta said she hopes to attend Cornell University where she will major in Veterinary Science. “Taking this summer program will help me to reach new heights, one’s I’ve always dreamed of, and to achieve my goals. This school is one of the best ways I can imagine to do this, and I am very proud to get this chance,” she said.
Loll is taking classes in subjects – art and writing – that he is already passionate about but hopes to be able to “go deeper” into. “It’s going to feel like the first step into the world of college,” he said.
“It’s really amazing that people were willing to donate money to help students go somewhere where they can learn.” said Loll. “I mean I don’t have cancer but people are still willing to help and give me this opportunity. One I know I couldn’t have had without their help. It’s huge.”
ConVal Community Dollars for Scholars is excited about this partnership with Phillip Exeter Academy. We hope to expand this opportunity to more students in the years to come. For more information about the organization and the opportunities it is providing to young people throughout the ConVal school district, please contact Judy Tomlinson, Executive Director at jdytmlnsn@gmail.com or visit www.conval.dollars for scholars.org.