CHAH Senior Ailani Cruceta Awarded Posse Scholarship!

On Tuesday January 18th at the New York Times Building in Manhattan, senior CHAH student Ailani Cruceta was awarded the Posse Foundation Scholarship to Trinity College!  The Posse Foundation offers recipients “the opportunity to pursue personal and academic success by placing them in supportive, multicultural teams – Posses – of 10 students.” The scholarship program has been supported by Barak Obama and offers full tuition for four years! 

“It’s exciting because my dreams and aspirations for college came through, all in this one amazing opportunity,” Ailani Cruceta said.

The scholarship process is a rigorous, three-round interview, including a group interview and a meeting with college representatives. Winners receive a four-year, full tuition monetary award as well as support from peers and faculty members to ensure that students graduate on time.

The scholarship comes with some challenges, which Ms. Cruceta looks forward to.  She will attend Trinity College in Hartford.  She says she is “concerned about adjusting to life in college, but because I have this support system built in, I won’t be alone exploring life in Hartford, Connecticut.”  She further noted, “I will always have my Posse.”

According to her guidance counselor, Mr. Bowen, who also nominated Ms. Cruceta to apply to the Posse Foundation, “Ailani endured the stress of the process and the fear of not making it and, ultimately, persevered.” 

Ailani is proud of her time here at CHAH, but looks forward to the next phase of her life.  “Although I’m sad to be leaving CHAH, I’m thrilled to find out what life has to bring and start the next chapter,” she said.

Congratulations from your CHAH family, Ailani!  We are sure you will make us all very proud as a Posse Scholar next year at Trinity College!