The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation is helping Pasadena ISD students achieve their dreams of higher learning as three Dobie High School students recently received $20,000 scholarships each through the Dell family foundation's Dell Scholars program.

The Dell Scholars program enables students with financial need to attain their greatest potential through post-secondary education. This year, the Dell family foundation awarded $5 million to 254 graduating seniors nationwide, and Dobie graduates Lam Nguyen, Hong Thai and My Nguyen are three of those recipients.

"The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation has taken a leading role to form partnerships with schools, and we appreciate their commitment to education," said Dobie principal Steve Jamail. "These scholarships will enable these students to reach for the goals they have set for their future."

The Dell Scholars program places greater emphasis on a student's determination to succeed than just academic record and test scores, and in addition to the financial benefit, recipients are also provided with technology, resources and mentoring to ensure they have the support they need to obtain a college degree.

"The Dell Scholars program is more than a check," said program director Kevin Byrne. "These students are low-income or financially underserved students who may not shine on paper with the top test scores but have overcome significant obstacles to pursue their education. We want to help them fulfill their dreams."

Most Dell Scholars are first-generation college students and are chosen because they participate in an approved college readiness program and maintain at least a 2.4 grade point average while dealing with personal responsibilities at home or in their communities. Requirements also include graduation from an accredited high school, demonstrated financial need and intent to enter a bachelor's degree program at an accredited higher education institution in the fall.

"We believe all children, regardless of economic circumstance or ethnicity, deserve access to a high-quality, public education," said Megan Matthews, director of communications for the Dell family foundation. We know most of the students we serve would never have the opportunity to go to college without a scholarship program like this one. As a foundation, we also believe educations is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty so many of our children live in today."

The Dell family foundation also provides training to Pasadena ISD's Pre-AP and AP teachers, financial incentives to students and teachers fro successful exam results, funding for exam registration fees, AP preparation session for students, and financial aid for equipment and resources for AP classes.

Pasadena ISD's director of advanced academics Pat Sermas said the Dell Scholars program has significantly increased the number of students enrolling in Pre-AP and AP courses in Pasadena ISD and that the AP program would not be as successful as it is without the financial support of the foundation.

"Many of these students were reluctant to attempt a more rigorous curriculum because many believe attending a post-secondary institution was not in their reach," she said. "This program has motivated teachers to rethink strategies and teaching methodology to create a more rigorous academic environment for students. And it has shown our students that their dreams can become a reality with hard work and the support of the community."