In June, Bonner & Prendergast sophomore Melvin took a giant leap toward his dreams by heading to space camp. One of just six students selected from the Philadelphia region, Melvin attended the Paul George Foundation Space Camp in Alabama—a transformative week-long STEM experience designed to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
Before summer break and his upcoming exciting adventure at Space Camp, we spoke with Melvin—a thoughtful and determined student who never imagined he’d have such an incredible opportunity. “I’m excited to get hands-on engineering experience and see if this is really something I want to do in life,” he shared before departing. “They’ll show us how rockets are made and how they work. You even go scuba diving to simulate weightlessness, like being in space.”
His journey to Space Camp began in his AP Seminar class, when his teacher encouraged him to apply for a competitive STEM scholarship. “I read about the camp and thought it was exciting. I had to write two essays—one about why I deserved the opportunity, and one about what I wanted to learn. I talked about my life, my family, and how I want to make them proud.”
A lifelong resident of the area, Melvin is the oldest of three siblings in an Ecuadorian-American family. His father is a delivery driver, and his mother is a housekeeper. “My parents are immigrants and have sacrificed a lot for me and my siblings,” he says. “I want to provide for them when they’re older. I don’t want to waste the life they worked so hard to give me.”
At B&P, Melvin has made the most of every opportunity. He’s deeply involved in the school community—playing soccer, joining clubs like Haiku and Debate, and excelling in math. “It’s very inclusive,” he says of his school experience. “The diversity here is welcoming. It feels like a family.”
Melvin credits much of his academic confidence to Ms. Ciliberti, his school’s academic advisor. “She helped me feel safe and involved. She expanded my horizons and encouraged me to explore different fields.”
Melvin hopes to become a petroleum engineer and dreams of attending an Ivy League university. “I seem to be really good at math—I can understand things quickly. If I keep this up, I can do a lot with my skills.”
His selection for the Paul George Foundation Space Camp is the latest in a long line of academic achievements. Melvin received full-ride scholarships throughout elementary and middle school based on academic merit. *At Bonner & Prendie, he qualified for a merit-based scholarship covering 75% of his tuition for all four years, which has made his parents incredibly proud. “I didn’t have much when I was little,” he says. “But the money I’ve saved through scholarships is helping give my siblings a better experience.”
Melvin is deeply grateful to the Paul George Foundation for making this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity possible. He also extends heartfelt thanks to the many teachers, mentors, and donors who have supported his educational journey. “I’m thankful to everyone who helped make these scholarships and opportunities available,” he says. “It’s allowed me to try new things, explore what I want to do, and make my parents proud.”
Many have supported Melvin’s journey, including the educators behind the TGR Learning Lab, who guided and encouraged him through the application process. “They really made me feel confident about going,” he says. “I wasn’t sure about being away for a week, but they showed me what a great opportunity it is.”
As Melvin prepares to launch into his junior year this fall, he has a clearer sense of purpose and possibility. His selection for Space Camp reflects his academic potential and deep commitment to his family and future. “My goal is to make my parents proud,“ he says. I want to be someone who makes a difference.”
Your generous support to the Annual Fund supports B&P merit scholarships.
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