High School Students Experience Gladstone Science

In ceremonies at the Gladstone Institutes last week, seven promising high school students were acknowledged for their participation in the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) this past July and August. As a result of arrangements made by Gladstone, all had received full scholarships to the ambitious 11-day program. Dubbed Gladstone Scholars, the students heard rousing talks by San Francisco Supervisor Sophie Maxwell and Gladstone President Robert Mahley as proud parents and teachers watched on. Also in attendance was Hydra Mendoza, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's education advisor, and Francisco Castillo, Mayor Newsom's deputy communications director for Latino and youth media. The students' involvement in the NSLC program, including receiving the scholarships, had its origins early last year, when Joycelyn Elders, former US Surgeon General, gave an inspiring talk at Gladstone. "There are simply not enough minorities advancing to college and pursuing science careers," Elders explained, pointing out that American high school students today are ill-prepared for science and math careers and that the US is far behind many parts of the world in science and math education.

The Gladstone Scholars were honored for their participation in an intense 11-day science program during a ceremony last week.

Gladstone responded to these concerns by establishing a committee to develop programs to encourage science and math education, with an emphasis on women and minorities. The group's first effort was a partnership with Washington D.C.-based NSLC, whose programs are designed to help high school students explore leadership qualities and get an insider's perspective on some of today's most exciting and important professions. This year, for the first time, NSLC launched a program here in the Bay Area. Its program involved hosting three groups of 150 students in career-focused areas. Gladstone participated in NSLC's Medicine & Health Care program, which provides participants with hands-on learning and exposes them to current issues in medicine through interactions with practicing physicians, researchers, and other health care providers. NSLC funded tuition for nine Gladstone Scholar slots for a minimum of three years, enabling women and minority students of Gladstone's choosing to participate in the program. This last spring, the Gladstone committee interviewed and selected nine outstanding students from Mission, De La Salle, Lincoln, O'Connell, and Wallenberg High Schools. They were chosen for their scholastic achievement, ability to participate positively in large group settings, and financial need. An important additional factor was whether participating in this program will make a difference to them. Over three days in July and early August, scores of Gladstone employees helped 450 high school students, including the nine Gladstone Scholars, experience the exciting science conducted at the Institutes. "This was an invigorating event for Gladstone staff members and the NSLC students alike," said Dan Oshiro. "It was great for us to have this forum for explaining the important work being conducted at Gladstone, and it was particularly gratifying to be able to share the experience with our nine scholarship students." On each of the three days, NSLC participants took part in lectures and demonstrations developed by Gladstone on such topics as AIDS in Africa, brain analysis techniques, living cell imaging, protein structure, and stem cells in medical research. The Gladstone Scholars are: Evelyn Amezcua, Raoul Wallenberg High School
Jorge Delgado, Mission High School
Janice Henriquez, John O'Connell High School (now at Sonoma State University)
Linh Hoac, Mission High School
Wilson Jimenez, Mission High School
Apar Karki, Mission High School
Millicent Olawale, De La Salle High School
Adriana Rodrigues, Abraham Lincoln High School
Cristina Santos, Abraham Lincoln High School
Source: John Watson Source:

Related Links

Gladstone Institutes National Student Leadership Conference