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CARIBBEAN BUSINESS: EDUCATION FEATURE
May 17, 2018
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TASIS Dorado Class of 2018 Rises Above the Wave
The TASIS Dorado Class of 2018 overcame the challenges of a senior year impacted by Hurricane María with grit and creativity, and they have made their parents, teachers and administrators extremely proud. When they graduate next month, they will celebrate a host of achievements including 100% acceptance to competitive colleges and universities in Puerto Rico, the mainland and abroad, including admission to honors programs such as the UPenn Viper Program and an invitation to Yale University's Directed Studies program. The many scholarships offer included the WashU Annika Rodríguez Scholarship, two USC full-tuition merit scholarships, the Horatio Alger Scholarship and a full merit scholarship to Harvey Mudd. This talented class of 47 also had five students named as Presidential Scholar candidates and one, Cristina M. Trápaga Hacker, was designated the 2018 female Presidential Scholar for Puerto Rico.
The members of the Class of 2018 were fortunate to count on a College Guidance department, headed by College Admissions Counselor Glenda Rivera, that included a new feature this year. The school established the TASIS Dorado Writing Center, with staff Terry Chevako Bava and Susan Fortuño, a writing support system unique in Puerto Rico. Working in tandem, the team gave workshops and individual advice to every senior through the entire process of brainstorming, writing, editing and proofreading the numerous essays required of the applicants. Seniors frequented the writing lab, located in the school library, throughout the first semester to work on application and scholarship essays, practice interviews and write letters, while underclassmen used the Center in the second semester for summer program applications, AP class essay writing practice and more. The positive results clearly speak for themselves!
TASIS Dorado is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational school that has English as its language of instruction and is affiliated with The American School in Switzerland (TASIS) Schools in Europe. Located in the seaside town of Dorado, the modern campus sits on beautiful grounds surrounded by lakes and greenery. Highly qualified faculty are motivated to cultivate a love of learning in the 805 students in PPK through 12th grade. Excellent facilities including classrooms equipped with smartboards; a new STEAM Fab Lab outfitted with robots, 3D printers, laser cutters and more; and a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center allow students to develop to their full potential.
Headmaster Dr. Timothy Howard said, "We are so proud of these students for their remarkable accomplishments. They have high aspirations and go the extra mile to achieve their personal best and give back to the community in so many ways. Our team and the effort they put forth every day is what makes all this possible."
For more information about TASIS Dorado, visit www.tasisdorado.com or call Admissions Director Jovita Casanova at 787-796-0440 Ext. 221 to schedule an appointment.
CRISTINA TRÁPAGA OF DORADO, PUERTO RICO NAMED 2018 U.S. PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR
United States Department of Education
For Release
May 8, 2018
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today announced the selection of Cristina Trápaga of Dorado, Puerto Rico, who attends TASIS School in Dorado in Dorado, as a 2018 U.S. Presidential Scholar.
Trápaga is one of 161 outstanding American high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. The U.S. Presidential Scholars will be honored for their accomplishments in Washington D.C., from June 24-26.
"I want to congratulate this year's class of Presidential Scholars on their achievement and also thank their parents, teachers and other academic advisors who have helped guide them along the way," said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. "These students have pushed themselves to be the best they can be, and I am certain that devotion will serve them well as they continue their individual learning journeys."
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects honored scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. Of the 3.6 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,200 candidates qualified for the 2018 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by Chief State School Officers, other partner recognition organizations or the National YoungArts Foundation's nationwide YoungArts™ competition.
The 2018 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and from U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, and 20 U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education.
Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored almost 7,500 of the nation's top-performing students with the prestigious award given to honorees during the annual
ceremony in D.C. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
Since 1983, each U.S. Presidential Scholar has been offered the opportunity to name his or her most influential teacher. Each distinguished teacher is honored with a personal letter from the Secretary of Education.
The teacher chosen for recognition by Trápaga was Denisse Cintrón of TASIS School in Dorado in Dorado, PR.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: A complete list of 2018 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available at http://www.ed.gov/programs/psp/awards.html.
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