Ninde Scholars Program Expands - Oberlin College

ninde scholars program newsletter • fall 2011
Now Serving Grades 7-12
Ninde Scholars Program Expands
The 2010-11 school year was the
first full year of programming for
the new Aspiring Scholars. We are
very proud of the successful launch
of this new program. Aspiring
Scholars met weekly with a tutor
from Oberlin College and attended
several workshops per month on
a range of topics. In the spring,
students worked with their tutors
on an independent learning project,
practicing research and study skills
that are critical to success in college.
Special guests at this year’s afternoon
sessions included Shanton
Bland from NASA Glen Research
Center, who spoke about issues facing
African American males today,
and Donna Russell from Oberlin
College Career Services, who met
several times with the group.
Thanks to donations from the
Oberlin Schools Endowment Fund,
the Bill Long Foundation, and former
schools superintendent Geoff
Andrews, we were able to expand
the Summer Enrichment Program
for Aspiring Scholars by one week
this year, to a total of four weeks. In
addition to summer classes in reading
and math, students also were
able to choose an elective, such as
computer programming, photography,
creative writing, or improvisational
comedy.
Aspiring Scholars have shown again
and again their strong determination
to work harder, do better, and
reach higher in the pursuit of a
college degree. This clear desire to
succeed made the launch of the program
worth all the extra effort.
This fall the program will serve
Ninde Scholars in grades 7-12.
For the first time, Ninde programs
will span six grades in the Oberlin
Also in this Issue
• Ninde Class of 2011
• Skills for Success in School
• Saving for College
• First Ninde Scholar Graduates
from Oberlin College
• And More!
City School District. This would
not be possible without the help of
the Ninde Endowment, as well as
the Great Lakes Higher Education
Guaranty Corporation, the College
Board, and other donors. We also
want to recognize the cooperation
of teachers and administrators in
the schools, college faculty and
staff, and community members who
donate time, give money, and exchange
ideas. Thanks everyone and
lets keep this thing going strong for
a long time!
Kristen Glasener Joins Ninde as Access Coordinator
Kristen Glasener joins the Ninde
Program as the College Access
Coordinator, continuing to provide
college-readiness advising and
workshops to Oberlin students and
their families. For the past year,
Kristen has worked at Ohio State
University, helping students and
families learn about the college
preparation and financing process.
She holds a
master’s degree
in social work
from Boston
University and
a bachelor’s
degree in psychology
from Ohio State. Kristen
is thrilled to be a part of the Ninde
team and is excited to engage
both students and families through
workshops and events. “I am really
excited to work in a smaller, closeknit
community where I can get to know
students individually,” she says. In
her free time, Kristen enjoys traveling,
reading, and watching Ohio State
football. She lives in Westlake, Ohio,
with her husband, Ben.

ninde news
First Ninde Graduates
from Oberlin College
The Ninde Program is proud to announce the graduation
of Brittnei Sherod from Oberlin College, who received
her bachelor’s degree with a major in geology and a minor
in religion. Brittnei is the first Ninde Scholar to graduate
from Oberlin College. Hurray!
Brittnei told us that the most challenging thing for her was
balancing fun and school work—it took her a while to get
the balance right and it changed every year.
She recommends getting to know professors to be able to
confide in them and ask for advice—find out when their
office hours are and be there. She also advises students to
study the major requirements carefully to make sure that
you are willing to take all the courses, even the difficult
ones! These days, Brittnei is reconnecting with her sewing
machine as she contemplates her next move. Congratulations
again, Brittnei!
Congratulations to Ninde
Scholars Class of 2011
We had our largest contingent of Ninde Scholars at the
high school in 2010-11, with 10 new students and eight
graduating seniors. This year’s college-bound seniors
(left to right): Saige McNeal, Earlham College; Alistair
Nunamaker, Eureka College; Terrence Rush, University
of Toledo; Janet Gonzalez, Santa Monica Community
College (LCCC); Robert Anderson, University of
Akron; Victoria Hardnett, Xavier University; and Felicia
Edwards, Lorain County Community College. On the
far right is Bo Arbogast, director of the Ninde Scholars
Program. Not in photo: Tyler Tucker, LCCC.
Summer is for Science!
The Aspiring Scholars took a summer field trip to the
Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland. It was a super
hot day, but the scholars enjoyed their visit and the science
demonstrations. This year we also had our first Ninde
Scholar attend Camp GEMS (Girls in Engineering Math
and Science) in Ada, Ohio. The four-day camp experience
included daily science work, time for volleyball and swimming,
and a chance to experience “dorm life” for the first
time. Aspiring Scholar Lourdes Tyler really enjoyed doing
the science experiments. Way to go, Lourdes!

tips for ninde scholars
Top Five Skills for Success in School
Five skills to help you achieve success in
school, in your chosen career, and in life:
1. Time management
You know the deal: There are just 24 hours in each day.
What you do with that time makes all the difference.
While high school students average 35 hours per week
of class time, college students log an average of 15 to 18
hours per week.
Getting your “free” time under control now will help prepare
you for managing that extra 20 hours a week come
freshman year of college, when you’ll need to study and
want to socialize more than ever. If you don’t already, start
using a daily planner. This could be a datebook you keep
in your bag, an online version you maintain at home, or
both. Manage your time wisely and you’ll get the maximum
out of each day.
5. Good note-taking
You can’t possibly write down everything the teacher says,
because we talk at a rate of about 225 words per minute.
But, you do need to write down the important material.
After a test, go back over your notes to see if your notes
contained the answers. If not, you need to ask to see a
classmate’s notes or check with the teacher for help on
improving your note-taking.
Studying with a partner is also a good idea, as long as you
study and don’t turn it into a talk-fest. Note-taking should
be in a form that’s most helpful to you. If you’re more of
a visual person, try writing notes on different colors of
index cards. Music can also be a good memory aid as long
as you don’t find it distracting. Rewriting your notes daily
is another strategy. If you really have a problem with notetaking,
you might ask your teacher if you can record daily
lessons. Do whatever it takes!
2. Good study habits
If you’ve got them, great. If not, there’s still time to
develop them, including these basics:
• Always be prepared for class, and attend classes
regularly. No cutting!
• Complete assignments thoroughly and in a timely
manner.
• Review your notes daily rather than cram for tests the
night before.
• Set aside quiet time each day for study—even if you
don’t have homework or a test the next day!
3. The ability to set attainable goals
It’s important to set goals, as long as they’re attainable.
Setting goals that are unreasonably high is a set-up—
you’ll be doomed to frustration and disappointment.
4. Concentration
Listen to your teacher and stay focused. Be sure that you
understand the lesson. If you don’t understand something,
ask questions!

ninde scholars program newsletter • fall 2011
Save the Date! Upcoming events you don’t want to miss
Thursday, October 6
6:00-8:00 p.m. @ Lorain County
Community College
Wednesday, November 2
6:00 p.m. @ Oberlin High School
Wednesday, November 9
4:00 p.m. @ Oberlin High School
Wednesday, November 16
All day
Monday, November 21
5:00 p.m. @ Oberlin College Lanes
Lorain County College Fair—Q&A with admissions and financial aid
representatives:
6:00 p.m. Ask Your Admissions Questions
7:00 p.m. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Financial Aid
Write Your Way into College! Learn how to write amazing college
admissions essays.
Parent-Teacher Conferences—with parent information sessions on the
college application and financial aid process presented by Oberlin College
staff members
Visit to Baldwin-Wallace College—Ninde Scholars class of 2013
Bowling Night—for all Ninde Scholars and Aspiring Scholars
A Big Thanks to Everyone
We would like to recognize our Ninde Program sponsors,
including the Community Foundation of Lorain County,
the Bill Long Foundation, the Oberlin Schools Endowment
Fund, and the generous individuals who have donated
time, energy, and financial resources to help serve
an increasing number of deserving students.
Please contact us if you would like to volunteer time or
materials, or would consider making a donation to help
more of Oberlin’s young people get a college degree.
Bo Arbogast, Director
Ninde Scholars Program
50 N. Professor St., Room 205
Oberlin College
Oberlin OH 44074
440-775-6874
Kristen Glasener, Assistant Director
High School College Access Coordinator
281 N. Pleasant St.
Oberlin High School
440-774-1295, ext. 3117
Why Save for College?
According to the College Board, people with a bachelor’s
degree earn at least 60 percent more than those with only
a high school diploma. Over a lifetime, the difference
between what a high school graduate makes and what a
college graduate makes is more than $800,000.
For qualified families, financial aid will reduce the
amount you actually pay. Financial aid is intended to
make up the difference between what your family can
afford to pay and what college costs.
Start saving now—every dime helps. While more than
half of college students receive some sort of financial
aid, it’s important to save what you can to help pay the
expected family contribution and to reduce the need for
loans to pay for college. Most financial aid comes in the
form of loans, which is aid that must be repaid. Learn
more at: collegeadvantage.com