MAAC August 2025 News

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Summer Programs

Summer Boot Camp Wrapup

As we settle into the lazy, hazy days of August, what better way to spend time than with a little light summer reading? This month's issue is all about feel-good moments and messages from MAAC's 2025 Summer Boot Camp and an extraordinary group of high school scholars.

"When I started, I was nervous to meet new people in a new space... I didn't really know what to expect..."

A MAAC scholar gets settled in the first morning of boot camp.

"... Every presenter here speaks life into you, and I've never experienced having so many people believing in me..."

MAAC executive director Andrea Nicole Smith-Morgan offers one of her supportive heart-to-heart pep talks to MAAC scholars.

"I made new friends and learned a lot of new things, like ELA topics I had never learned before..."

Community engagement speaker and educator Candace Pryor Brown teaches scholars how to find their story.

"Every teacher made a connection with me and it was really nice to have."

College counselor Jose Mercado encourages scholars to pursue their dreams.

"I loved the food a lot but I also loved how I felt looked after."

Community engagement speaker Kyra Peralte wraps up her presentation with boot camp scholars.

"It gave me comfort that I'll have a successful life, and now I'm going to college in September."

Summer Boot Camp scholars celebrate the moment with supporters Yajaida Pons (second from left), who shared financial aid guidance, and ERESC's Chrys Rodriguez and Atiya Trent (back row), who surprised the scholars with loaded swag bags.

"I love the people I met and I love the energy everyone brought to the program."

2025 Boot Camp scholars get a visit from MAAC scholar alumni Blake Ricketts (front) and Elise Crawford (back right) Blake attended 2024 Boot Camp and is headed to Cornell this fall; Elise is a MAAC tutor and volunteer for MAAC who attends Spelman.

With gratitude to all who made MAAC's 2025 Summer Boot Camp an incredible success:

Staff

Jose Mercado, college counselor

Charity Bracey, AP ELA teacher

Sophie Michalak, college essay instructor

Jack Michalak, college essay instructor

Community Engagement

Oona Callender, entrepreneur

Kyra Peralte, The Traveling Diary

Candace Pryor Brown, educator and historian

Yajaida Pons, financial aid expert

Jesica Rueda, Rutgers University

Mario Carbajal, Montclair State University

Blake Ricketts, MAAC scholar alumni

Elise Crawford, MAAC tutor and volunteer

Matt Colvin, photographer

Donors

Montclair Fund for Women

Essex Regional Educational Services Commission (ERESC)

Breakaway Prep

This program is also made possible by the support of our community. Whether you read our newsletters, donate time or money, or tell others about MAAC, we are grateful for you!

Oh wait! It's not over yet...

And for students who couldn’t attend Summer Boot Camp in person? MAAC has launched its first-ever Virtual Boot Camp this month, individualized to the specific academic and scheduling needs of each student. With workshops, essay coaching, virtual college visits, and personalized mentoring, scholars across the region can engage deeply from home through an option that meets them where they are.

For more information or to enroll, email andrea@themaac.org

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MAAC Board Members

Eleanor Gil-Kashiwabara | Tanya Isler-Home | Nadine Verna | Tamara Williams

Mindful Awareness Academy for Children (MAAC), PO BOX 338, Montclair, NJ 07042