Congratulations to Year Up boston Graduates, class of july 2006 !

On July 19th, 2006, Year Up's Class of July 2006 filled the Boston Marriott Copley Ballroom to capacity, celebrating their graduation with more than 400 family members, corporate partners, program supporters, and community leaders. The platinum sponsors of the event were Bank of America, Microsoft, Monster Worldwide, State Street Corporation and TAC Worldwide. We were honored to have George A. Russell, Jr., Executive Vice President and Director of Community Affairs, as our keynote speaker.

Gail Snowden, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for The Boston Foundation, was presented with Year Up's Urban Empowerment Award. This award recognizes individuals who have made an incredible impact on their community by empowering urban young adults to reach their potential.

As with each celebration, Year Up's graduates inspired the audience by sharing their personal experiences and defining their vision of true success. Crystal Evans reflected on the impact that the program has had on her future. "I realized that I have a bright future ahead of me and that I can do anything I put my mind to. I thank you for this and I thank my fellow classmates. For we have all changes and have come together to be the best we can be."

Fellow graduate Jelyn Newton views the acquisition of knowledge as something that not only affects her and her classmates, but those of the next generation. "What we learn is what we will teach. And what we teach is what the next generation will know."

Year Up is honored to announce the Class of July 2006 Dave Retik and Chris Mello award recipients, continuing to honor the former Alta Communications employees and Year Up supporters:

The Dave Retik Award for Excellence: Samuel Robinson, Juan Tejada, and Claudio Montrond

The Chris Mello Award for Leadership: Carlos Barillas, Jr., Clifton Glezil and Nathalia Harrison

We are also honored to present Harvard Extension School Scholarships to Sergio Gil and Yesenia Palma and Cambridge College Scholarships to 14 our of our graduates.