Students Marcus Watts and Nasir Pettigrew report from Old Dominion University on the annual Carver College Tour

Marcus Watts and Nasir Pettigrew

By Marcus Watts,11th grader and Nasir Pettigrew, 10th grader at King School 

Located in Norfolk, Virginia, known as one of America’s top colleges by Forbes, is Old Dominion University (ODU). Old Dominion University was founded in 1930 by the College of William and Mary, the second oldest university in the United States. It was established as an extension of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia. It soon became a four-year institution and was then granted independence in 1962 as Old Dominion College.

The campus provided us with spacious and eye-appealing scenery as soon as we arrived. Our tour guide Makenna Landon wasted no time giving us the rundown on the tradition of the sacred emblem in the middle of the university campus and the enrollment, teacher to student ratios, the offered academic programs, as well as the downtown city life surrounding the university.

Tour guide Makenna Landon with Marcus and Nasir

Some 24,000 students attend the school which maintains a 16:1 student-to-professor ratio. There are 35 State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)-winning professors and nearly 100 undergraduate majors to offer. While they have the traditional Division 1 sports at the institution, ODU also surprisingly competes in motorsports.

Here are more fun facts about Old Dominion. First and foremost, Old Dominion loves tradition. They have a Seal, a historic landmark on campus, upon which it is forbidden to step. ODU offers many hands-on learning opportunities involving your interests. ODU has powerful partnerships with such prodigious organizations as the Langley Research Center (LaRC or NASA Langley).

Out of the 24,000 students, 5,000 live on campus. Some classes are larger than others depending on the class, allowing students to personally engage with professors. Off-campus students either commute or attend the university by taking online classes. ODU offers a transit system for those who do not have a car on campus.

Other cool things that ODU has are Expo-friendly windows; a greenhouse open to all students; lakes that run through the campus (a great place to study or just relax); and a virtual reality yoga class (great to do before taking exams).

Students interested in business and entrepreneurship can present their ideas in the school’s version of “Shark Tank” at the Strome Entrepreneurial Center. The center is designed to be the hub of entrepreneurial activity on campus, which includes academic curricula and support for student entrepreneurs. If your project is liked and approved, the idea might be backed and funded by the school.

ODU is located next to Naval Station Norfolk, a United States Navy base that is the headquarters and home port of the U.S. Navy's Fleet Forces Command. The installation occupies about 4 miles of waterfront space and 11 miles of pier and wharf space of the Hampton Roads peninsula known as Sewell's Point. ODU has many military partnerships for those interested in that career path.

Norwalk Earth Day Celebration on the Green!

Click here or on the image to learn about all the details and events.

Jason Giolando and Jaden Snow report from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore

By Jason Giolando 9th grader at Brien McMahon High School and Jaden Snow 11th grader at Rye Neck High School

Tucked away on the shoreline of Maryland is a small gem known as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) which sits on 620 acres of land in Princess Anne, Maryland. It is part of the University System of Maryland.

Founded in 1886 with a land grant, this HBCU (Historically Black College or University) held many names prior to 1970 when it was officially named the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. This was the smallest school we visited thus far on Carver’s 50th annual College Tour. The well-manicured lawns gave us a welcoming feel as we arrived, and we went on to discover a clean and organized campus.

Jason Giolando

Our enthusiastic tour guide Tommi Fashola began the process of persuasion. We learned about enrollment, class sizes, housing accommodations, dining options, sports, school activities, staff-to-student ratios, and the historic buildings on campus.

There are currently 2,000 students on campus, dormitories are apartment-style, the student to teacher ratio is 13 to 1, athletic students are housed in the Murphy building, the library is three floors, it’s a Division 1 school for basketball and track, and the acceptance rate is 87%. The school has a safety emergency system and all students can have cars on campus.

We also learned which classes were housed in which buildings. Little did Tommi know how well prepared we were. Our student group was on a quest for information far beyond the routine facts. We asked many probing questions. What is your standard for acceptance? What percentage of your students graduate in four years? Is the teaching here innovative and project-oriented? Are most classes taught by big-name professors or teaching assistants? Tommi was very knowledgeable, appreciated our interest and informed questions, and did not disappoint!

Jaden Snow

The UMES diverse student body represents thirty states and fifty-five countries. Fifty-five percent of the students live in on-campus housing. The campus life is balanced with events, games, academic support, and a large variety of food options including vegan meals. 

The UMES campus is quiet and tranquil. Although it is a small school, it has the appeal of being an hour away from summer destinations like Ocean City, MD and less than three hours from Baltimore, MD, Virginia Beach, VA, and Washington, DC.

You could thrive at UMES especially if you prefer a small school. The academic advisory staff takes pride in coaching and mentoring students on their career paths and class selections. At UMES you are never just a number. You get the feeling that you matter as an individual, you are able to collaborate with your professors, and you are part of a learning community.

The amenities of UMES include a movie theatre, hotel, and bowling alley, which is necessary since the school is not in the vicinity of a major city. Bowling is a huge part of student life here. You can even earn a bowling scholarship to UMES!

In 2020, MacKenzie Scott who was once married to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos donated $20 million to UMES. This was the largest donation in the school’s history. When compared to the other schools we visited so far on our spring break tour, we thought UMES could use some of that money to upgrade a few of their buildings and maybe add a few new ones.

This is an ideal school for students who cherish smaller class sizes, value more time with their professors, and advisors, and thrive in a less competitive atmosphere. 

Carver students Ryan Russell and Elijah Vigo report from Delaware State University on the Carver College Tour

By Ryan Russell, a 9th grader at P-Tech, and Elijah Vigo, a 9th grader at Norwalk High School

Today we arrived at Delaware State University (DSU), home of the Hornets.

One of Delaware's most famous residents is our 46th and current President Joseph R. Biden Jr. We want to acknowledge his commitment to people of color. He was vice president to the first Black President. He selected a Black woman to be his running mate and she became the first Black vice president (Kamala Harris) of the United States. President Biden nominated the first Black woman to the United States Supreme Court (Ketanji Brown Jackson), who went on to be confirmed.

Our tour guides Samara Benjamin and Elijah Brown balanced each other in knowledge and wit. We learned that Delaware State University is an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) and recently became more diverse when it acquired Wesley College, a (PWI) predominantly White institution. Sixty-two percent of DSU students are African-American and the other thirty-eight percent represent are Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, and other students.

DSU was founded in 1891. Though the campus sits on 356 acres of land, the structures that make up the heart of the institution are constructed in one big circle which makes it easy to navigate. There are approximately 5,700 students enrolled and currently close to 4,000 students are on campus due to the pandemic.

Our sports enthused peers were pleased to hear that DSU is an NCAA Division 1 School with sixteen sports teams representing intercollegiate athletics, including women's and men’s basketball, cross country, lacrosse, track and field, and more. DSU is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Dr. Luna Mishoe, the seventh president of DSU, was one of the Tuskegee Airmen and served as the leader here from 1960 to 1987. In 2018, his daughter Dr. Wilma Mishoe was appointed as DSU’s 11th president, a post she held until her retirement in December 2019 at the age of 70 years old. 

The DSU campus is rich in history. There is the Mishoe Science building named after Dr. Luna Mishoe; the Tuskegee Airmen Plaza honoring Lt. Luna L. Mishoe for his service in World War II as a photographic intelligence officer; Lt. Maxwell Honemond for his service as Tuskegee Trained Observation Pilot; and Nathan O. Thomas for his service as 99th Pursuit Squadron Administrative Aide.

There is specific land space dedicated there for historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs) that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Collectively, these organizations are referred to as "The Divine Nine." All except Kappa Alpha Psi is represented. The “Divine nine” are Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Lota Phi Theta.

We were impressed with the freshman living accommodations at Tubman Laws Hall. It is one of the newer buildings. Even though there is a residence hall for honor students like our tour guide, our guide shared with us that he elected to stay in Tubman Laws Hall.

There is a building name for Martin Luther King Jr. We admired the blending of centuries-old buildings with modern buildings and the backdrop of pink cherry blossoms during this time of year.

Many majors are offered at DSU including business, management, psychology, marketing, and more. The Bank of America building is host to the school of business. The naming of the building was a direct result of receiving $1 million from Bank of America for a jobs initiative.  The donation was earmarked to help students of color successfully complete their education and to train students to enter the workforce and embark on a path to career and financial success. 

Another important aspect of DSU college life is the dining options. DSU offers two traditional dining halls which are the Village Dining Hall and the Conrad Hall.  There is “Taco Tuesdays” and “Wing Thursdays” which are also party nights for students.  The are several meal plans that are offered, but the most popular is the plan that allows for three meals each day during the week and two meals per day on weekends. There are many other food options on campus including a Chick-fil-A and a Fresh Market for salads and other whole foods.

We strongly recommend Delaware State University. Here’s why. It is affordable ($28,000/year for out-of-state students; it offers a range of scholarship options for SAT scores ranging from 920 to 1030 to lower the cost for families; it has a diverse campus; DSU is rich in history; and the school offers a variety of sports, a robust student life, and comfortable co-ed living accommodations. There are 60 academic paths through the College of Agriculture; Science and Technology; College of Humanities; Education and Social Sciences; College of Business; Wesley College of Health and Behavioral Sciences; and the School of Graduate, Adult, and Extended Studies.

DSU is in the historic capital city of Dover and students experience the small-town feel while being only an hour and a half away from cities like Philadelphia, PA, Ocean City, MD, and Washington D.C.

Go Hornets!

Students Skylar Ferguson and Chloe Mattus report from Temple University on the 50th annual Carver College Tour

By Skylar Ferguson and Chloe Mattus, 11th graders at Brien McMahon High School

Skylar Ferguson and Chloe Mattus, authors of this College Tour report

After an overnight stay at the Embassy Suites in Philadelphia we were eager to begin the first day of our college tour. Due to the pandemic, we lost the opportunity to tour as 9th and 10th graders, so this is our only year to experience a spring break Carver college tour.  This morning our bus driver maneuvered the narrow streets of Philadelphia and delivered us safely to Temple University. 

Our university campus guide began the knowledge exchange by talking about Temple University having six campuses and sites across Pennsylvania, plus international campuses. We learned that Temple is a 4-year public college founded in 1884 by Russell Conwell. Today nearly 30,000 students are enrolled at its campuses here and around the world.

At three blocks wide, many would consider the main Temple campus to be a large urban school, but Temple felt like a smaller school. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13:1. Students from the main campuses have access to study aboard. Study abroad opportunities can last up to four years. The campus in Rome, for example, offers a two-year academic opportunity, the remaining two years to be completed at the main campus in Philadelphia.

Admission to the honors program at Temple is based solely on a recommendation, not an application. Temple does not require an SAT score. Instead, they ask for an essay about who you are which is weighted as an equivalent to an SAT score. 

Intriguing information was provided. For example, the new library has sections that are open 24/7 and gives online access to reserve books prior to arriving at the library. There is an app that gives you access to what’s going on around campus and around Philadelphia. The other library sections close at 2 am.

Our tour guides encouraged us to “…make use of EVERY single penny from your tuition because there are so many benefits Temple gives out.” For example, tuition includes free tutoring. Our tour guides were very persuasive and welcoming.

Temple graduate student Malene Barnett joined us on our tour. Years ago, Malene painted a mural on the first floor of the Carver Community Center. We are eager to locate and appreciate her artwork the next time we visit the community center. 

There are three different on-campus living styles, traditional, suite-style, and apartment living. You have a roommate with each living style and they go in that order from least to most expensive. 70% of freshmen live on campus and a lot of upperclassmen live off-campus which is conveniently located within walking distance of the campus. The earlier you put your deposit down, the more likely you are to go get the room you like, which would be by May 1st. The first day to apply for the room of your choice is April 1st, which is “first come first serve” for all four years. We think that makes sense and is fair. There is an online quiz for prospective roommates that includes group chats. You are not allowed to have pets in your room unless they are certified service animals. Getting a job is recommended for students who are good with time management. 

The school’s diversity includes 350 clubs and organizations, six sororities, and seven fraternities. There is academic rigor, the student accommodations include a media center, student center, movie theatre, transportation on campus, pet-friendly hotel access, and strong security that enables us to easily see ourselves being a part of the Temple community.

Temple has a 70% acceptance rate and a 70% graduation rate. Overall, we were impressed with Temple. We will be adding Temple to our list of preferred schools.

The 50th Annual College Tour makes its first stop at Temple University

Carver's 50th Annual College Tour Begins!

Carver students say their goodbyes to their families before embarking on their adventure

This year’s Spring College Tour began yesterday. The college-bound students traveled to Philadelphia first and will remain there tonight as well.

Today, the tour begins with Temple University. The tour will include visits to Liberty Bell and the Rocky Statue and Steps!

On Tuesday the tour will move on to Delaware State University in Dover, DE https://www.desu.edu and then the tour proceeds to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, MD https://wwwcp.umes.edu. Then the group travels to the next hotel.

Stay tuned for further updates here!

Graduation Capstone Project Presents Unique Opportunity For Students To Showcase Interests

The State of Connecticut has updated graduation requirements for 2023 to include a Capstone requirement. Capstone is a student-designed project based on a topic of their choosing including sports, music, cooking, drama or robotics. The project is a chance for students to demonstrate important skills such as communication, collaboration and problem-solving. Once complete, students will have a portfolio which can be shared with colleges or employers to showcase skills. Click the video above to learn more.

The Ellen Show celebrates the awesomeness of Tremain and Fritzsa Gilmore!

Carver’s beloved Tremain and Fritzsa Gilmore appeared on the Ellen Show yesterday with guest host Tiffany Haddish and regular cohost Stephen Laurel "tWitch" Boss.

The finale of Ellen DeGeneres' daytime talk series will air on May 26. Ellen DeGeneres is pulling out all the celebrity stops for the final episodes of her daytime talk series. Who better to invite to the show than Fritzsa and Gil?! How did the Ellen Show find our Norwalk heroes?

The Carver community enthusiastically nominated them.

As shown in The Hour: For more information, to donate or to stay updated on "What's Next?", please follow @ejsheartinc on Instagram anytime and @EJs H.E.A.R.T Inc on Facebook. Tremain Gilmore and Fritzsa Gilmore

Of course, no one in the Carver community would be surprised by this. We write often here about Tremain’s many roles and accomplishments and the couple’s EJ’s H.E.A.R.T. charity.

"We do an annual walk for EJ around his birthday in July. It's called 'Walk for Elijah,'" Fritzsa said on the Ellen Show. "I'm just grateful for the community, how they come together and just help support us because we want to give back to the community and the children," Tremain (“Gil”) said.

During the show, the Gilmores shared their experience co-directing their charity named after their son who died of a sudden illness at the age of 4 in 2016. Haddish announced that The Ellen Show would be donating $15,000 to their cause, which supports children's education. This gift is made possible by TisBest Philanthropy which maintains a partnership with “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” to highlight extraordinary people, organizations, and charities.

The Hour shared this:

“‘Tremain was a vital member of the Carver community when I arrived in 2004. He remains a guiding light and dear friend to me and to the ever-growing Carver community whose alumni are now lifetime achievers in every profession. Tremain’s national recognition will surely be met by everyone in Norwalk and Carver alumni everywhere with a knowing nod and smile, if not a shout for joy,’ said Novelette Peterkin, CEO of The Carver.”

A glance at the YouTube video comments adds much love to the entire experience. Here are just a few of the many shout-outs there:

Tremain and Fritzsa Gilmore and their daughter Madeline

Ashley HW writes, “I love how when the wife noticed her husband was having trouble talking about their late son, she covered him and finished talking. That’s a true partnership. ❤️

Vanessa Liles writes, “I love Tremain and Fritza! EJ's Heart is a special and wonderful organization.”

Norwalk High School students commented: Ale Mar, “Omg he is my security guard!! He is soo niceee and helpful. I’m proud of them.” Bre, “Omg he’s my security guard!!!!! He’s the sweetest.”

And others: BOLTBADBLADES, “HE’S AN ICON.” msjdolly, “MY GIRL FRITZAAAAAAAA!!!!” Christline Edward, “GIL omg congrats!!!”

We can’t say it better. Our hearts are bursting with pride and gratitude!

Thanks for Moffly Media and our other early Sponsors for supporting our upcoming Child of America Gala

Join us for our 2022 Child of America Gala on Friday, May 20th, at Shorehaven Golf Club, when we will be honoring Jerry Craft, a longtime Carver friend and advocate.

Individual in-person tickets will not be available until the end of April, as this cherished event mostly sells out early with event sponsors.

We are so grateful to Moffly Media for being our exclusive media sponsor again this year.

We also thank Dalio Philanthropies and the Richard and Barbara Whitcomb Foundation for returning this year as Presenting Sponsors.

Our virtual guests will enjoy the gala as if they are there, as was the case last year when we honored Josè Feliciano.

We are returning this year to our traditional gala, such as the year we honored Sean “Diddy” Combs (and here).

All the joyful gala elements will return this year, including inspiring fellowship, the reception, the auction, and so much more!

See our 2021 Gala sponsors here and the special videos created for each sponsor by clicking on their interactive logos.

Whether you attend the 2022 Child of America Gala in person or virtually, there will be many engaging features you won’t want to miss.

There will be many updates here while preparing for our celebration of “Decades of Impact!”

Carver student Maria Fe Luque is going to Harvard in the fall with a full scholarship!

Norwalk High School senior Maria Fe Luque (top left in the Zoom meeting with Secretary Cardona) is going to Harvard University in the fall with a full-ride scholarship! She will be a first-generation college student.

Here is a Facebook video capturing the moment Maria first looked upon her online acceptance notification from Harvard yesterday morning.

Here is the video clip of Maria’s interview yesterday on News12 in which Maria speaks about her passion for American history.

"This is our country. That's amazing that people from so long ago established a foundation for today, and what everything's based on today," she said. Luque is taking that passion to Harvard on a full scholarship this fall. She says the language barrier never stopped her parents from being her biggest cheerleaders.

"They pushed me so much, in Spanish...all the way," said Luque.

Many of our students dream of going to Ivy League schools. Even if a student is special enough to be accepted, the steep costs that come with attending elite schools can end the dream right there. A full-ride scholarship makes this dream come true.

Of course, Maria has been special since she arrived in Norwalk from Peru in the first grade. And just not in academics. Maria is also an athlete, among other sports she has been on the Bears volleyball team for all four of her high school years.

On Friday, January 28 at 10 am, US Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona, met virtually with a panel of middle and high school students from Norwalk Public Schools, including Maria.

Recently Maria represented Norwalk High School in a panel of students speaking with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. All Norwalk Public Schools students and staff tuned into the live stream of the discussion. The education secretary spent a half-hour answering questions about his journey as a young student in Connecticut. The eight students chosen for the panel were first-generation Americans or those whose first language was not English. Maria had to learn English when she entered primary school, much like Cardona, who entered kindergarten speaking only Spanish. Norwalk Public Schools students speak 59 languages and come from 70 different countries.

As reported by The Hour, Maria especially appreciated her time with Secretary Cardona on behalf of her mother who was watching the Livestream and still learning to speak English. “She understands some English, but when he spoke in Spanish, I’m like, she definitely knows what’s going on. She definitely knows the message that’s coming through,” Fe Luque said.

Harvard admitted just 3.19% of applicants to its class of 2026, the lowest admit rate in its history. Harvard also received a record number of applications, 7% more than last year’s record number! Notorious for its low acceptance rate, Harvard admitted just 1,954 students from the 61,220 students who applied. Maria will be joining students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, US overseas territories, and 98 countries.