Because of challenges such as mobility, language differences and low income, over 50% of migrant students in the U.S. do not complete high school. The Secondary Education for Migrant Youth Student Leadership Program is helping change that statistic for students in Washington state.

For its efforts, the Student Leadership Program has received the KCTS-TV Golden Apple Award for 2002.

"With help from a statewide corps of trained volunteers, the program organizes regional conferences where students learn to develop action plans for their own education. Community members act as facilitators and chaperones, leading the students through activities to recognize their own skills, set goals and solve problems," the TV station’s press release describes. "The curriculum is bilingual in English and Spanish, and takes the students’ different cultures into account.

"Students return to their classrooms and communities with a new confidence and commitment to learning and achievement, and receive follow-up support such as an information base of role models, career and education opportunities available through the program’s web site. Thanks to the program, over 80% of the over 2,000 participating migrant students have graduated from high school," the press release notes.

The TV station sent a camera crew to tape footage at the recent regional Student Leadership Conference in Sunnyside. The SLP program will be featured in a prime-time broadcast on public television stations statewide in February.

A panel made up of representatives of the Alliance for Education, the Issaquah School District, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, School’s Out Washington, the Seattle School District, Seattle Urban League, Washington Education Association and Washington State PTA evaluated the nominees and selected the individuals and projects to be honored in ceremonies Jan. 24 at the Seattle Museum of History and Industry.

Gov. Gary Locke and Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson will be among those participating in the awards ceremonies.

Each of this year’s 10 Golden Apple winners will be recognized with a "Golden Apple" statuette. In addition, each of the individual honorees will receive $250, and each of the winning programs will receive $500.

"Through the Golden Apple Award, the Student Leadership Program staff seeks to demonstrate the innovative strategies employed to truly engage migrant teens in their education and to share lessons of more than 15 years of success," says SEMY Director Linda Roberts.

"More migrant students are graduating from high school because of this program. This is an accomplishment that rests not just with one program, individual or school. The SLP staff is excited about the opportunity to pay tribute to thousands of migrant students and hundreds of adult volunteers and high schools who have made this program work for migrant youth," Ms. Roberts says.

"To all those of you who are making a difference in students’ lives — Thank you!"

Another program honored this year is the GEAR UP program co-sponsored by the Pasco School District.

"For many students, especially those from low-income, ethnic minority or first-generation families, the gap between the K-12 system and higher education can seem almost insurmountable," notes the KCTS press release.

"In order to help bridge that gap, Columbia Basin College, the Pasco School District, Washington State University and a variety of local businesses and organizations have come together to create GEAR UP, a partnership to make higher education a realistic option for every child in Pasco.

"Beginning in the seventh grade, every student in the district begins a portfolio that includes interests, abilities, goals, aspirations and accomplishments," the press release continues.

"Students participate in activities that give them an eye toward their academic future, such as regular visits to college campuses and institutes where they have the opportunity to meet with college faculty, staff and students," the station writes.

"They also gain information about career opportunities through regular ‘power lunches’ with local professionals and tradespeople. In this way, a small group of dedicated people is making a real difference in the lives of Pasco’s students," the press release concludes.