The HWS Summer Academy is a 2-week college immersion program for high-achieving Geneva High School students. It helps students prepare for college through courses like essay writing, study skills, and exploring subjects like social justice, architecture, sociology and more. Students gain an understanding of the college experience through campus visits and interactions with HWS students and faculty. Survey results found the program helped 100% of students feel more prepared and attracted to college. The Summer Academy aims to support the community goal of increasing college readiness.

1. Lesly Rivero, WS’17
CCSEL SUMMER OF SERVICE INTERN

2. WHAT IS THE HWS SUMMER ACADEMY?
• Founded in 2004 by Professor of Chemistry
Walter Bowyer
• 2 week college emersion program for
academically motivated GHS students
• Help students acquire skills needed to thrive
in college
• Students receive a stipend when they
successfully complete the program
• Supported by the Wyckoff Family Foundation
and the HWS Colleges’ Office of the President
• In support of the Geneva 2020 goal of “college
and career readiness”

3. COURSES OFFERED
• Movement for Social Justice – Prof. Davenport
• Common App Essay Writing - Stephanie Kenefic WS’17
• Note-taking and Study Tips - Lesly Rivero WS’17
• Social Justice - Jeremy Wattles from CCSEL
• Common App/College Board - Shayne Feinberg from CCSEL
• Architecture – Prof. D’Angelo
• Sociology – Prof. Sutton
• Environmental Studies - Sarah Meyer
• Chemistry – Prof. Walter Bowyer
• Resume Building – Brandi Ferrara

4. MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

5. MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

6. • Create impactful essays for their college
applications
• Didn’t have to be a final, it was the start that
counted
• Expose students to college applications
• Fill out a common app in order to see what is
expected of them
• Have college students share their college essays
and application process

7. NOTE-TAKING AND STUDY TIPS
• I work at the CTL as a Study Mentor
• Show them that seeking help is normal and even college
students do it
• Cornell note-taking style
• Jeopardy game at the end showed me how competitive they
were as well as their team player cooperation

8. SOCIAL JUSTICE
• Learn about Geneva’s history
• Talk about social justice issues
that concerned the students
• Involved thinking critically
about privilege and factors
that affect how they are
treated in the world
• Introduction to Tools for
Social Change

9. ARCHITECTURE – IN THE FIELD

10. STUDENTS STARTED BY TAKING NOTES OF THEIR
SURROUNDINGS (GENEVA GARDENS)

11. ASSISTANTS WHO HAD A BACKGROUND IN
ARCHITECTURE OFFERED SUPPORT

12. FINAL PRODUCT
• Images are from last
year
• Incorporated ideas
from all 4 groups in
the final
1. A bicycle
2. A library made
from natural
materials such as
twigs, vines, and
wood

13. SOCIOLOGY
• Professor Jim Sutton specializes in
Criminology
• Some students were interested pursuing a
career in law enforcement
• Explored different topics such as:
1. Why do people commit crimes?
2. Why are there inequalities in the criminal justice
system?
3. What are gangs?
4. Is rehabilitation the main goal of incarceration?

14. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
@ HWS FRIBOLIN FARM

15. HWS SUMMER ACADEMY AT THE FRIBOLIN FARM

16. CHEMISTRY, ON THE BOAT!

17. COLLEGE VISITS TO LEMOYNE AND ONONDAGA
COMMUNITY COLLEGE

19. ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE VISIT

20. Lunch Program
• Students from HWS accompanied
the HWS Summer Academy during
lunch
• Students exchanged interests,
stories, and conversations
• https://hwsinterculturalaffairscent
er.wordpress.com/

21. GRADUATION CEREMONY

25. IS THE PROGRAM OVER?
• Students are expected to meet with
me in order to complete their AP
Summer Projects
• Students are added to the HWS
Summer Academy Alums Facebook
page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups
/1089239524431050/

26. SERVICE HOURS
• Collective hours
dedicated by
students in the
program: 1,147.5
• Collective hours
dedicated including
students and
volunteers: 2,362

27. STATISTICS FROM SURVEYS
• 100% of students achieved what they hoped
to achieve from the program
• 100% of students who participated last year
found this year to be more beneficial
• 100% of students had an increased
understanding of what it is like to be a college
student
• 100% of students said the program made
college more attractive to them
• 87.5% of students were “Very Satisfied” with
the program

28. QUOTES FROM EXIT SURVEYS -
ANONYMOUS
• “Particularly getting help with my summer
projects will help me get the school year started
on a good foot.”
• “The people that took the time out of their
summer to be here and help meant so much and
they gave me a lot to take with me on the college
application process.”
• “I wanted to achieve learning more about the
college process and I really did.”

29. QUOTES FROM SURVEYS CONTINUED
• “This program was like a changing experience. I
hope that they continue to give other kids the
opportunity to do it as well!”
• “I really enjoyed this and definitely want to come
back next year”
• “I got a full understanding of what I need to do”
• “I learned so much in 2 weeks”
• “I feel as if I know more about what to really expect
in college”

30. QUOTES FROM SURVEYS CONTINUED
• “I'm even more confident than what I was before”
• “It gave me a look into the college life, calmed me down about
tuition, and helped me decide what I want to do”
• “I feel 100% ready for college”

31. QUOTES FROM STUDENTS
Jamel Jackson, Geneva High School Senior
“The program has helped me see college in a different light and it helped me to see
that there are different routes, but still successful in the end.”
Kiara Pabon, Geneva High School Senior
“It actually opened my door to a lot of opportunities. Even with the common app, it fits
my needs. And then hearing people talking about it is beneficial as well. The program
has the ability to open doors.”
Anilette Montes, Geneva High School Senior
“It helped me. Period. I didn’t know if I wanted to go to a college, university, or a
community. Hearing about the different scholarships/programs gave me a new
perspective to follow as I apply to the next step after high school.”

32. SPECIAL THANKS TO
• The Wyckoff Family Foundation for providing support for our
program for the third year in a row
• All the volunteers who dedicated their time to teach classes for
the program
• HWS faculty, staff, and students who came during the student’s
lunchtime to offer conversations and company
• John Pallera H’17 for taking great photos during our activities

33. THANKS FOR COMING!