SALEM — Salem CyberSpace recently received some very good news.
Two of the participants in CyberSpace's College Success program, Jesus Morales and Maria Gomez, have been awarded full academic scholarships to top universities in Pennsylvania.
Morales is currently first in the senior class at Salem High School and received a full scholarship — including tuition, fees, room and board — to the University of Pennsylvania. Gomez, who is also at the top of the SHS senior class, was chosen for a full tuition scholarship to Bryn Mawr College.
The duo worked very hard this fall, sitting for multiple interviews and writing countless application essays. CyberSpace coached them through it all, from SAT prep to rides to interviews.
Located at 98 Lafayette St., Salem CyberSpace works to expand educational and career opportunities for low-income youths and adults. The nonprofit is a program of North Shore Community Action Programs, an anti-poverty agency that serves towns across the North Shore.
"We step in somewhat in the role of a surrogate parent," said Linda Saris, CyberSpace director. "Both of these students have exceptionally high grades — they both do all AP and honors classes. But what they both do, and this is pretty typical of our population, is they tend to score lower on their SATs."
CyberSpace's after-school College Success program is open to high school upperclassmen who qualify for free and reduced school lunches.
Morales, who was accepted to UPenn's school of engineering, is the first SHS or CyberSpace student to win the QuestBridge scholarship. QuestBridge runs an online forum for talented low-income students to connect with colleges, employment, scholarships and other opportunities.
Gomez was chosen for a scholarship from the Possee Foundation, a college access and youth leadership development program that recruits and selects student leaders from public high schools.
Saris described Morales and Gomez as "smart, focused and motivated." They both play musical instruments and do extracurricular activities, she said.
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