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Welcome to the Lumin Society
The Lumin Society, created in 1994 by former school principal, Dr. Mary Anne Herron with the financial support of HGCF, strives to support promising but economically disadvantaged teens from middle school through high school. It seeks to help those students achieve academic excellence, strive for higher education, and become successful community participants.
The selection of students for the original program known as the Lumin I Program was based on teacher recommendation and chosen through a committee process based on their current academic success and community participation. From this first cohort of selected students, fifty-two from the Elias Brookings School K-8 School entered college. Today they are teachers, nurses, in business professions, in other community professions and medical school.
In 2006 the Lumin II Program began by adopting an entire grade 6 at the Elias Brookings Magnet School. The entire grade was challenged to be successful students. Homework boxes were given with materials and supplies. Every student received a dictionary, and additional supplies were given as needed. For those students accepting the challenge to be a successful learner, the reward program will continue to support their efforts in high school 2009 with the goal upon graduation from high school that they will enter college or a skill building program with financial assistance from the foundation.
Lumins earn rewards for each marking period they attain honor roll status and 100% attendance. Students receiving first honors – A/B+ average, receive a $50 gift certificate and an additional $50 is placed in a special account for college. Students with second honors – A’s and B’s, receive a $50 gift certificate. Students with A’s, B’s, and (1) C, receive a $20 gift certificate. For those with 100% attendance, students receive an additional $5 gift certificate.
Upon graduation from a Springfield high school, students receive a check for $500 made out to the student and the college of his/her choice. If consistently on the honor roll for each marking period, a student can earn as much as $1,900 towards college.
Since its inception, 61 Lumin students from Brookings Middle School have entered college with most of the students graduating with 2-year and 4-year degrees. Students who remained in one of the City of Springfield’s high schools and in the program realized a 98% enrollment in college.
Colleges the Lumin I students have entered in the past 15 years are:
- American International College – Springfield, MA
- Emmanuel College – Boston, MA
- Framingham State College – Framingham, MA
- Gibbs College – Cranston, RI
- Holyoke Community College – Holyoke, MA
- John Hopkins University – Baltimore, MD
- Lasell College – Newton, MA
- Salem State College – Salem, MA
- Smith College – Northampton, MA
- Springfield Technical College
- University of Connecticut – Storrs, CT
- University of Massachusetts Lowell – Lowell, MA
- University of Massachusetts – Amherst, MA
- Western New England College – Springfield, MA
- Westfield State College – Westfield, MA
Students are encouraged to succeed with the belief that Everything is Possible in life with (1) reasonable goals, (2) effort – energy given to the process, (3) support from mentors, teachers, and others, (4) and their complete initiative to bring about reality for themselves. They are encouraged to be assertive, to seek advice, and be willing to give time and energy to the task.
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