We Have Another Cummings Grant Winner in NativityMiguel Coalition 🎉

We shared in our May 2024 Newsletter that Esperanza Academy was a proud recipient of a grant from the Cummings Foundation. Now, we get to celebrate with Nativity Preparatory School of Boston as well!

The grant allows Nativity Prep Boston to take the first steps toward launching a STEM program by upgrading and reimagining its current science room, purchasing appropriate curriculum, technology, and materials aiming to bring educational equity to all students.

We are excited to see what the future holds and what these students will be able to learn and create.

Two San Miguel Academy Newburgh Alumni Accepted Into the U.S. Naval Academy

San Miguel Academy is proud to announce that Christopher Recinos and Christian Recinos were accepted to the United States Naval Academy! Christopher and Christian each received Congressional Nominations from Representative Pat Ryan of New York District 18. After graduating from San Miguel Academy in 2020, Christopher attended The Mount Academy in Esopus, NY, and Christian attended Suffield Academy in Suffield, CT. Both young men have been dedicated student-athletes and exemplary community members. 

David Terwilliger, A320 Captain, Major, U.S.N. retired, who oversees San Miguel Academy’s STEMPilot program, is himself a graduate of the US Naval Academy and has acted as a field representative for the Naval Academy admission process. He recognizes the significance of the situation: “Entire school districts rarely have even a single academy applicant and impoverished inner-city schools seldom have even one. To have two applicants from a small middle school class, each with the resume to compete for one of the most competitive institutions in the country is a tremendous accomplishment.” Christopher recently reminded Father Mark Connell, Executive Director and one of the School’s founders, that he told him in 7th grade that he could be one of the first to attend a service academy. 

San Miguel Academy is a small independent middle school in Newburgh, NY, founded in 2006 to break the cycle of poverty through education. Christopher and Christian will join the ranks of many San Miguel Academy alumni who have gone on to serve their country either through ROTC or enlistment. Currently, two San Miguel Academy graduates are serving as commissioned naval officers in the Pacific fleet. Several others are reservists, some of whom have been called to active duty for extended periods.  

USRowing CEO Amanda Kraus and Arshay Cooper of A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund Attend San Miguel Academy Rowing Boat Launch

Photo Credit: San Miguel Academy Newburgh

On Wednesday, May 8, San Miguel Academy welcomed USRowing CEO Amanda Kraus and Arshay Cooper of A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund for a boat launching ceremony at Donohue Park in Cornwall-on-Hudson, presided over by Mayor Jim Gagliano. The Lucy D, donated by Patrick Donnelly in honor of his wife, Lucy, both of whom were in attendance, was christened and launched.  Arshay Cooper, who grew up on the southside of Chicago amid family instability and gun violence, and now works to create access to the sport of rowing, remarked: “For me, rowing was simply not an introduction to sports, it was an introduction to wellness.  When you find that wellness, you find self-love. And when you find self-love, you begin that journey to love others. It’s hard to be a better angel to the world if we’re not a better angel to ourselves. And that’s what rowing does.” Amanda Kraus, who started Row New York which also works to bring rowing to people of diverse backgrounds, gave encouraging remarks about the hard work and commitment of San Miguel rowers: “I see what you are going to become.” The rowers then gave a brief rowing display along the shore of the Hudson River. 

San Miguel Academy Rowing is among the largest scholastic middle school rowing programs in the country, and one of the largest rowing programs for low-opportunity children. With both competitive and non-competitive tracks, San Miguel Academy’s rowing program has grown significantly in recent years, with 100% of the student body now benefitting from the program. The rowing program improves the health and well-being of students and creates access to rewarding educational opportunities that support our school’s mission to break the cycle of poverty through education. San Miguel Academy and the rowing program are nearly 100% scholarship-driven, serving low-opportunity youth in a city struggling with systemic poverty and unrelenting violence. 

For the third year in a row, SMA rowers have their sights set on the USRowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, FL in June. SMA Rowing is ranked in the top ten after the 2023 USRowing Youth National Championships.