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10/28/10: Spotlight: The Explorer
Franck graduated from the Senior Leaders program in 2009 after two years in our program. He attended West Philadelphia Catholic High School where he was a B average student and played on the varsity soccer team.
Like many of our Senior Leaders, Franck started life in Africa. He emigrated to the United States with his family in 2004 from Yaoundé, Cameroon, bringing a love of soccer with him. At first Franck latched on to Starfinder's program in order to play soccer. Little did he know that he would be exposed to much more. Like many immigrant families, Franck's was unfamiliar with the American college system - how to apply, what kind of financial aid was available, whether college was even an option. Starfinder, in partnership with JEVS Career Services, helped Franck throughout the process.
Today Franck is a sophomore at LaSalle University (home of The Explorers), on full academic scholarship. He is majoring in Integrated Science Business and Technology (ISBT) and participates in the Academic Discovery Program (which is partially funded by Pennsylvania Act 101). He currently has a 3.2 GPA, plays on the men's club soccer team and takes pleasure in playing the guitar at his church. He moved onto campus this year to have better access to the school's resources and now enjoys more opportunities to interact with other students outside of class, as well. And, as an unexpected bonus, his proposed roommate didn't attend school this year, so he has a dorm room all to himself!
Franck says that he misses his mom's home cooking, his brothers Valentine, Bertrand, and Paul, and his sister Estelle, who just started at West Philadelphia Catholic. The opportunity to attend a four-year university on a scholarship is a privilege that Franck does not want to lose. Franck grew up in a rough part of West Philadelphia where most of his peers ended up on a very different track. "I find the strength within to make the most of my situation and continue to succeed in my life," said Franck.
We are extremely proud of Franck and all that he has accomplished. According to Herb Kandeh, Senior Leaders Program Director, "Franck was a consistent participant in the Senior Leaders Program. He worked hard to improve in the areas that didn't come naturally to him." We wish him continued success at school and plan on celebrating his graduation in 2013!
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