kwashington

Seniors & Families,

Here is your Senior Weekly College & Career Update for the week of September 8th. Each week, I will share:
📎 Scholarship opportunities (PDF attached)
🎓 College planning tips & reminders
🌟 Career exploration resources

Please review this week’s newsletter (attached) and take advantage of the opportunities that fit your goals. Staying consistent with applications, deadlines, and exploration will make this senior year a strong foundation for your next steps.
If you have any questions or need support, please feel free to reach out. 

Septemer 11th Scholarships

Senior_Weekly_Update_Sept8_2025

Best regards,
Kene

Attention Seniors and Families!

We are excited to invite you to our FAFSA Night on Monday, September 22nd at 5:00 pm (hosted on Zoom). This workshop will walk you step-by-step through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, provide important updates for the 2025–2026 school year, and answer your questions about financial aid.

Why Attend FAFSA Night?
Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps in preparing for college. By attending, you’ll learn:

What FAFSA is and why it’s required for federal, state, and many institutional financial aid programs.
Updates for the 2025–2026 FAFSA, including the new simplified application and changes from the FAFSA Simplification Act.
What documents you’ll need to complete your FAFSA (tax returns, Social Security numbers, income statements, etc.).
Key deadlines for federal aid, the California State priority deadline (March 2, 2025), and individual college deadlines.
How to avoid common mistakes and ensure your FAFSA is submitted successfully.

Who Should Attend?
High School Seniors planning to attend a 2-year or 4-year college, university, or trade school.
Parents/Guardians who will help provide financial information for the FAFSA.

Event Details
Date: Monday, September 22nd

Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Zoom

Kené Washington is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://davincischools-org.zoom.us/j/94483101479?pwd=hko1JxaE7Le1fMGqJDPBZHYOuFy3oW.1

Meeting ID: 944 8310 1479

Passcode: 256439

FAQs We’ll Cover

What’s the difference between FAFSA and the California Dream Act Application?
What happens if my family didn’t file taxes?
What should I do if my financial situation has changed?
Do I need to complete the FAFSA every year?

Next Steps

Mark your calendars for September 22nd at 5 PM.
Encourage both students and parents to attend together.

This is your chance to get a head start on securing financial aid for college! Don’t miss out.

Seniors & Families,

Here is your Senior Weekly College & Career Update for the week of September 2, 2025. Each week, I will share:Scholarship opportunities (PDF attached)
College planning tips & reminders
Career exploration resources

Please review this week’s newsletter (attached) and take advantage of the opportunities that fit your goals. Staying consistent with applications, deadlines, and exploration will make this senior year a strong foundation for your next steps.

If you have any questions or need support, please feel free to reach out. I am here to guide you through this exciting journey.

Best regards,
Kene

September_4th_Scholarship_Newsletter

Senior_Weekly_Update_Sept2_2025

The Building College Success (BCS) Access program — formerly Black College Success — is now accepting applications for Cohort 5, closing tonight, September 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM. This yearlong program is designed for high school seniors at partner schools, offering personalized, weekly guidance on college applications, financial aid, scholarships, and life after high school. Eligible students include those who’ve participated in the BCS STEAM Program or attend one of 13 partner schools such as Centennial, Crenshaw, Inglewood, Westchester, and more. Throughout the year, participants gain access to workshops, college fairs, and culturally-rooted community events that celebrate identity and foster confidence. Applicants should be 12th graders with a GPA of 2.25 or higher (those below 2.0 may still qualify with counselor recommendations), committed to applying to a four-year college, and ready to engage fully. Space is limited, and only applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed. For questions or technical issues, contact Gerrels@lapromisefund.org

https://lafund.submittable.com/submit/332928/2025-bcs-access-cohort-5-application
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103c5aae-6763-47ab-a19c-f90364fc1f62 Flyer CCF 2025

Region South College & Career Fair

Saturday, September 27
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
CSU Dominguez Hills
1000 E. Victoria St., Carson, CA 90747

Explore Your Future!

Join us for the Region South College & Career Fair, featuring:

80+ Colleges & Universities (including HBCUs and vocational programs)

Workshops for Students & Families on:

Financial Aid (FAFSA/CADAA)

College Application Overviews

Scholarships

Vocational Career Pathways

Open to the whole family—students, parents, and guardians are all welcome!

Mark your calendars today and don’t miss this opportunity to connect with colleges, explore career options, and prepare for your next steps.

South Bay/Los Angeles College Fair 2025
Sunday, September 7, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Redondo Union High School
1 Sea Hawk Way, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Join us for the South Bay/Los Angeles College Fair 2025!

Meet representatives from top universities
Explore scholarship opportunities
Gain insights into career paths and academic programs
Network with students, families, and industry experts

Explore colleges, scholarships, and career paths all in one place!

Don’t miss this chance to plan your future and discover exciting opportunities!

The Posse Foundation Application Nomination Form internal.docx

Hello Junior Families,

This is a follow-up to my previous message about the Posse Foundation Scholarship. I realized the initial post did not include the links or FAQ resources—thank you for your patience!

As a reminder, the Posse Foundation identifies public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential and connects them to top colleges with four-year, full-tuition scholarships.

Posse partner colleges include:

Bucknell University
Dickinson College
Hobart & William Smith Colleges
Kalamazoo College
Middlebury College
Northwestern University
Pepperdine University
Tulane University
University of Wisconsin–Madison

To learn more, explore these helpful resources:
Posse Foundation Information Guide
Posse Foundation Scholarship: Parent FAQ

If you are interested in being nominated and believe you demonstrate the leadership and academic qualities Posse looks for, please complete the Posse Foundation Scholarship Nomination Request Form (which is attached) by Wednesday, June 11th at 4:00 PM.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need support during the nomination process.

Warmly,
Kene Washington
kwashington@davincischools.org

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Posse Foundation Scholarship Opportunity

Hello Junior Families!

I want to share an exciting opportunity with you about the Posse Foundation Scholarship. Every year, The Posse Foundation works closely with high schools, like Da Vinci Connect, to recruit students who demonstrate leadership and academic potential to become a Posse Scholar. If selected, a Posse Scholar wins a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to attend one of Posse’s partner colleges or universities:

Bucknell University
Dickinson College
Hobart & Williams Smith College
Kalamazoo College
Middlebury College
Northwestern University
Pepperdine University
Tulane University
University of Wisconsin- Madison


Below are informational materials on the Posse Foundation:

Posse Foundation Information Guide

Posse Foundation Scholarship: Parent FAQ



If you would like Connect to consider you as a nominee for the Posse Scholarship and you demonstrate leadership and academic potential, please complete the Posse Foundation Scholarship Nomination Request form by Wednesday, June 11th at 4pm.



Please reach out if you have additional questions!

Kene Washington

kwashington@davincischools.org

We’re excited to share a meaningful way for our Da Vinci Connect High School students and families to get involved in the community!

This Wednesday, May 14th, the DV Connect K-8 campus will be hosting a free produce giveaway from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm in front of the school. This is a wonderful opportunity to support local families and give back.

Interested in volunteering?
Volunteers are encouraged to arrive by 11:00 am to help with setup and distribution. Whether you’re looking for community service hours or simply want to lend a hand, your support will make a big impact.

Event Details:
Location: DV Connect K-8, 12501 S. Isis Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250
Date: Wednesday, May 14th
Volunteer Arrival Time: 11:00 AM
Produce Giveaway: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Contact Person: Ms. Grace Bader | (310) 725-5800

We hope to see many of our high schoolers out there supporting this great cause!

Join us for an inspiring and interactive Gen Z Wellness Summit this Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Ackerman Union Grand Ballroom, 308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095.

Enjoy a day filled with engaging workshops and discussions, including:
🎭 Perception Box Adventure
💡 Moral Courage Game
📖 Storytelling & Resilience
🥗 Food & Mood
🤝 The Science of Making Friends
📱 Teens & Screens
🎨 Mental Health Through Arts & Culture
🎶 Music & Mental Health
🕺 Expressive Movement
🎧 Live DJ & Music Performances

This free event is open to high school and college students, but registration is required. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow!

🔗 REGISTER NOW to secure your spot!

https://www.friendsofsemelinstitute.org/genz-invite-2?bbeml=tp-zCrdL4cOz0CZBvCOF9r06Q.j3jeP6DLJlUG5UONxQFA39w.row8UjFKEY0WcvftOUg5fqw.lFSuSbn52PUyFrrWIIQbNgg

We look forward to seeing you there!