Holiday Week Performance at offices of our Pro Bono Law Firm
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
AN SAT STORY . . . A BRONX TALE
In early 2007, Renaissance E.M.S. (Education, Music and Sports) initiated an enhanced academic enrichment program in our South Bronx center consisting of one-on-one high school math tutoring and math SAT prep. While math and other tutoring services are routinely available in more affluent areas of the city and suburbs, and a year or more of SAT prep is almost universal, these aids to academic enrichment which lead to college admission are rare, if not non-existent, in the South Bronx. We wondered, would there be interest? Would the young musicians and athletes in our program commit the time and effort required? Could we make a difference?
One of the students who immediately stepped up and committed himself to this new program was our basketball team captain. Andre had previously taken the SAT but needed to improve his score by a considerable amount in order to achieve his dream to get a basketball scholarship from a four-year college. The college coaches loved him, he was an outstanding player, good kid, bright and ambitious. However, NCAA rules require certain scores to get the scholarship Andre needed to attend a four-year program. After just six weeks of intense, hard work in our SAT prep program, which included a trip to Chappaqua with others in the program to take a practice exam in a realistic setting with other kids their age, and an additional visit on his own for even more focused tutoring, Andre increased his score by 150 points, a very significant achievement! However, it was, unfortunately, not enough to qualify for the scholarship at the schools he was shooting for.
While our volunteer instructors were disappointed for him, Andre and his Mom were elated by the huge improvement in his test score, which was also accompanied by improvements in his GPA. They were also overjoyed by the recognition of what Andre could achieve with hard work and were very appreciative of the effort expended on Andre’s behalf. Andre is now attending a junior college where he is playing basketball and working hard to be able to get a scholarship at the end of the two-year program. A happy ending, and a good beginning, for Andre.
Andre was truly a leader and set an example for others in our program. The result of the example he set? This fall, we have 15 dedicated, committed participants in the math SAT prep program (including the new basketball team captain) all working hard to achieve their own dreams. The instructors report that this fall’s class is fully engaged, the kids are taking responsibility for their learning and the class is infused with energy and enthusiasm. We are all very excited and proud of the effort being made.
Sincere thanks to the talented and dedicated professionals, a former honors math high school teacher and a full-time math SAT Prep tutor, who run our math tutoring and SAT prep programs. Both volunteer their precious time for several hours each Saturday to this very rewarding effort.
Kudos to our Executive Directors, Bervine Harris and Darren Quinlan, for their ability to identify and attract determined and ambitious young boys and girls who appreciate the opportunities provided by all of our programs.
Thanks as well to all of you for your continued interest and support for our programs and the young boys and girls that we serve in the South Bronx. Your continued support is essential to enable us to open doors and provide opportunities for these ambitious, hard working and very appreciative kids and to give this Bronx tale many happy endings.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Renaissance E.M.S. Recording at Royal Blue Studios
With Bassist Stanley Banks and Sound Engineer Robert Honablue (Royal Blue Studios is proud to be the nation's first - and only - minority-owned audio engineering school.) Renaissance E.M.S. CD coming soon!
Nyoka on guitar
Randy, Cesare, Raeliss and Chris
Co-Executive Director Mr. Bervin Harris directing
Michelle, Karina and Nailah
Stanley Banks
Nyoka on guitar
Randy, Cesare, Raeliss and Chris
Co-Executive Director Mr. Bervin Harris directing
Michelle, Karina and Nailah
Stanley Banks
Monday, October 1, 2007
Commerce Bank Honors Renaissance E.M.S.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Color Purple on Broadway
Monday, September 3, 2007
Chappaqua Reception, July 25, 2007
Renaissance E.M.S. kids with Bervine Harris and Darren Quinlan (Renaissance EMS Co-Founders and Co-Executive Directors) and Carol and Howard Altarescu, Chairman of the Board
Jeff Gittleman of Chappaqua talking with Andre and Al, both members of the 18 and under basketball team. Andre attended the math SAT Prep classes led by Jeff and Dan Nadler of Chappaqua this past spring.
Bervine, a member of the band and of the 14 and under basketball team, Jeff Gittleman of Chappaqua, Andre and Al, both members of the 18 and under basketball team, Alan Goodman and Tina Landsberg, both of Briarcliff Manor
Howard Altarescu. Chairman of the Board, talking with Alistair Dunn of Chappaqua and Carol Young of Mt. Kisco
Chris, a member of the band, talking with Adele Schwartz, a native of the South Bronx, who will be providing College Application guidance to the Renaissance E.M.S. kids this coming Fall
Co-Executive Director Bervine Harris and Rachel Goodman Davis
Bervine, a member of the band and of the 14 and under basketball team talking with Helen Savio of Chappaqua
Our vocalists bring down the house
Randy and Chris
Jeff Gittleman of Chappaqua talking with Andre and Al, both members of the 18 and under basketball team. Andre attended the math SAT Prep classes led by Jeff and Dan Nadler of Chappaqua this past spring.
Bervine, a member of the band and of the 14 and under basketball team, Jeff Gittleman of Chappaqua, Andre and Al, both members of the 18 and under basketball team, Alan Goodman and Tina Landsberg, both of Briarcliff Manor
Howard Altarescu. Chairman of the Board, talking with Alistair Dunn of Chappaqua and Carol Young of Mt. Kisco
Chris, a member of the band, talking with Adele Schwartz, a native of the South Bronx, who will be providing College Application guidance to the Renaissance E.M.S. kids this coming Fall
Co-Executive Director Bervine Harris and Rachel Goodman Davis
Bervine, a member of the band and of the 14 and under basketball team talking with Helen Savio of Chappaqua
Our vocalists bring down the house
Randy and Chris
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