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Program smooths the path to college for some urban students
by Tim Pugmire, Minnesota Public Radio
June 7, 2005

Bibi Abdalla will attend the College of St. Benedict this fall. (MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire)

It's the season for caps and gowns, Pomp and Circumstance, and, ultimately, diplomas for more than 60,000 Minnesota high school seniors. About 65 percent of the graduates will pursue some sort of post-secondary education, but those rates vary from district to district. Last month, the Citizens League singled out St. Paul as one district that could do a better job pushing high school graduates toward post-secondary education, especially students of color. Admission Possible is a non-profit organization that's been tackling that specific problem for five years. Its after-school program helps disadvantaged students in St. Paul and Minneapolis get into college. This year, 100 percent of the program's 246 seniors are headed for higher education.

St. Paul, Minn. — High school graduation is near, and senior Bibi Abdalla is happy with where she's at in her life. The cheerful Somali teenager is leaving St. Paul Central High School with a bright future. She'll be the first person in her family to attend college when she arrives at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph this fall. Abdalla has long recognized the value of education. "I was born in Somalia but I grew up in Kenya," Abdalla said. "And down there you actually have to pay to go to school whether you're going to public school or private school, whatever it is. But coming from there I knew the importance of education, and when I came here I knew my only mission was actually to go to college."

Higher education is a new option for many immigrant families. Kayoua Vang graduated this week from Highland Park High School. She's now heading to Macalester College. Vang said the completion of high school was a big relief, and she's ready to move on. She's paving the way for her younger brothers and sisters.

"Since it's my responsibility, I want to achieve to the top, the highest point," Vang said. "So, that making it impossible for my siblings to slack off and they have to catch up and have big shoes to walk in."

It's a similar story for Anibar Bonilla, an Arlington High School graduate who will attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities this fall. Bonilla, who grew up in El Salvador, feels a big responsibility to make his parents proud.

"All of the eyes of my family are on me right now," Bonilla said. "I'm the center of attraction. I've got to not disappoint them."

Bonilla couldn't speak English when he arrived in the United States four years ago. He said learning a new language was a huge challenge. Another was gaining the confidence he needed to even consider college. Bonilla said the personal guidance he received from Admission Possible helped him overcome his fears.

Central High School senior Nakita Natala also got a much-needed push. She's going to Carleton College this fall. Natala said Admission Possible coaches helped her wade through the paperwork to make the toughest decision of her life.

"I am the biggest procrastinator, and I never do anything unless I'm given deadlines," Natala said. "And this program gave me deadlines. And I'm just so thankful that somebody was pushing me. And just made me do things, because otherwise I wouldn't have done them, and I wouldn't have gotten the scholarships that I got."

The move from high school to college is often a big adjustment, especially if that move is from a large, urban high school to a small, rural college campus. Tou Ger Pha is leaving Central to attend the University of Minnesota-Morris. He said college is a way to gain new perspectives and new friends. Pha, who comes from a family of 10, hopes to fit in.

"Those that know me really well, they know that I'm not a normal person," Pha said. "I'm not the average normal person. I'm outgoing and the hardest part about me is accepting who I am."

Being accepted is also on the mind of Bibi Abdalla. She expects to see few Somali students at the College of St. Benedict. Abdalla knows she'll face many challenges, but her mission remains the same.

"As you can see I'm really different from everybody," Abdalla said. "I'm very different from everybody down there because of my culture and my religion. But I won't let that stop me."