For the 8th year in a row, Chalmette High School is home to a group of Posse Scholars. Recently, Beau Nunez, Christine Chen, and Avani Miller, three CHS seniors, were notified that each had been awarded this prestigious four-year scholarship valued at over $250,000. Nunez and Chen will enroll at Notre Dame this fall while Miller will attend Villanova University.
The Posse Foundation is a non-profit organization that identifies, recruits, and trains student leaders from public high schools. Candidates take part in an intensive interview process and training program for enrollment at top-tier universities nationwide, and upon selection, enroll as part of a small team — a Posse.
David Bellard, an English teacher and the Posse scholarship coordinator at Chalmette High School, said the school’s success in this program can be attributed to two things — the tenacity of the students and the dedication of the high school staff.
“Our students, teachers, and administrators understand that we are all on the same team, working collaboratively to build a school we are all proud to call home.”
Bellard said he was not surprised to see the CHS streak continue. “These students represent some of the best and brightest to attend our public schools. Each scholarship recognizes not only the academic achievement but also the leadership that these three students demonstrate.”
He said preparing the students for Posse is difficult because the interview process is so nontraditional. “It more accurately reflects the leadership demands that will be placed on these students in the 21st century.”
Bellard called his students’ commitment to growth inspiring. “The most rewarding part for me is seeing our students persevere through an immensely rigorous process with no guarantee of success but willing to accept the challenge just so that they can learn, grow, and develop.”
Over the last several years, Chalmette High School graduates have earned nearly five million dollars in Posse scholarships from prestigious universities across the nation.
- Matt Agosto, Bard College
- Nayonta Fernandez, University of Notre Dame
- Kaya Lawrence, University of Notre Dame
- Austin Mankin, Tulane University
- Hailey Marshall, Case Western Reserve University
- Michael O’Neill, Illinois Wesleyan University
- My Linh Hoang, Case Western Reserve University
- Hailey Abrams, University of Notre Dame
- Brian Williams, Tulane University
- Jezuete LaFuente, Illinois Wesleyan
- Logan Brewer, Illinois Wesleyan University
- Angel Chavarria, Villanova University
- Kris-Lynn McGee Villanova University
- Lina Abdellatif, University of Notre Dame
- Ariana Rojas, Villanova University
- Melanie Corral, Illinois Wesleyan University
- Angel Lee, Illinois Wesleyan University
- Jedelle Lafuente, Case Western Reserve University
- Kine Buie, Case Western Reserve University
CHS Principal Wayne Warner said such continued success is a tribute to the entire school community. “It truly has been a united effort in providing the very best for all of our students during some challenging times,” he said. “We are so proud of this year’s winners and know they will continue to represent us well in the future.”
