Liliam Pacheco-Rivera
Class of 2012,
Annandale Senior High School
Fairfax County Public Schools
Liliam Pacheco-Rivera is a graduating senior from Annandale High School in Fairfax County. She is one of the recipients of the EIP Full Tuition Scholarship to George Mason University. The span of her high school 
career consisted of a lot of work and dedication to her academic studies.
“I feel blessed and happy about my EIP experience” says Liliam. “In the last 5 years I found new friendships in other students, mentors, and staff.”
For Liliam, EIP became a “second family” that she could count on for advice and guidance. “EIP not only helped me academically but also personally and socially.” Mason was not Liliam’s first choice when she was younger. She confesses that “initially it was my back-up choice, but through the years I realized that George Mason University is the best school for me…it feels like home.” She encourages other EIP students to continue to persevere in the program. Through all the sacrifices and hard work needed to achieve the goal of being the first to go to college, Liliam says, “It’s worth it all!”
Liliam Pacheco-Rivera
Class of 2012,
Wakefield Senior High School
Arlington County Public Schools
Muktaru Jalloh is a graduating senior from Wakefield High School in Arlington County. With a dream to become a high school English teacher, he will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University in the Fall. Looking back, Muktaru reflects on how his experience in EIP has taught him to be more focused and prepared for college. Last May, after fracturing his spine in a sports accident, his doctor advised against continuing his sports activities and advised him to forgo the 2011 EIP Summer Academy.
Muktaru accepted his doctor’s warning against playing sports, but when faced with the decision of not attending the Summer Academy, he could not envision a summer without EIP, his decision was clear. Muktaru attended his last Summer Academy, though he was forced to wear a back brace, he states, “I learned to adapt because I still wanted to be able to participate the way I wanted to…” In the end, it seems his decision paid off! Muktaru motivates other EIP Students by affirming that…
“EIP is an opportunity, [so] take ownership of your education!”
Muktaru Jalloh
Next time you shop at Giant, check out the reusable bags they sell. Their colorful design is the work of EIP senior Worachet “Boon” Sakprayoonpong. Giant Stores partnered with the quiz show “It’s Academic” to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the show and invited high school students from D.C., Virginia, and Maryland to enter a design competition for the bags. Boon’s design, which combines the Giant logo and elements from “It’s Academic,” won the contest and its $1,500 scholarship prize. Boon, who has been drawing all his life, has recently started studying art and thinking about it as a career. He credits EIP’s mentoring program with keeping him focused and successful in the classroom. He hopes to study art at college.
Scholarship by Design
Five years have come and gone in the blink of an eye. EIP Seniors are ready to embark upon their college lives. Having spent their high school years with EIP at the campus of George Mason University, some have a hard time envisioning going to college at such a familiar place. In response to that common sentiment, EIP is sponsoring “There’s No Place Like Mason” on February 5th, 2010, solely for EIP Seniors who have met the admission requirements, in order to show them the “other side” of what GMU has to offer. EIP Seniors will have a chance to interact with student organizations, EIP Alumni, and academic departments ranging from Video Game Design to Nursing. More information will soon follow. Congratulations, Seniors!
There’s No Place Like Mason!
EIP Seniors, as you reach the midpoint of the final chapter of your high school career, January also marks the time to get a jumpstart on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is a critical resource that is free for students who are eligible to apply; the FAFSA helps determine the level of financial aid a student will need. Future college students who plan to enroll in the Fall of 2011 must complete the FAFSA 2011-2012 form. It will become available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov on January 1, 2011. EIP will host a FAFSA workshop on January 8th, 2011, to guide seniors and their parents through the application process. Further details will be sent via mail. Students and parents must apply for a pin number that will serve as an electronic signature. You can apply for your pin at http://www.pin.ed.gov and bring both student and parent pins to the workshop to ensure submission of your FAFSA application on the day of the workshop. We look forward to seeing you all on January 8th.
Getting a Jumpstart on FAFSA
By Rhina Ascencio
Senior Year! This is it–you’ve made it! However, it doesn’t end here. The choices that you make this year will impact your lives forever. Do not fall victim to the epidemic that plagues Seniors every year…Senioritis. Stay focused, do not allow your grades to fall, continue to improve your grades, and keep up the good work. All EIP Seniors are assigned a liaison from the office to monitor your academic progress. Please stay in touch with your liaison with any questions you have regarding your college application. Fight Senioritis and move forward to the bright future that waits for you after high school.
Beware of the Senioritis Epidemic!
EIP graduates will be attending colleges and universities all over the United States, from Virginia to Hawaii. The following are some of the schools in which they enrolled for the Fall 2009 semester:
Carnegie Mellon University
Christopher Newport University
East Carolina University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Florida Tech
George Mason University
Hawaii Pacific University
Mary Baldwin College
Marymount University
Memphis College of Art
Old Dominion University
Randolph College
University of Hawaii
University of Mary Washington
University of North Carolina
University of Virginia
Virginia Union College
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Xavier University
Colleges Accepting 2009 EIP Graduates
Class of 2009
Yorktown Senior High School
Arlington County Public Schools
“Living as an example has helped me learn the importance of community service and the reward of helping others… a positive, rewarding role that I will carry through my life.” – Travis
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