Promise fulfilled for Oak Park students

Nine years ago, a bright-eyed Porchá Chambers came home from school and asked her mom to sign a contract, one that would commit the young fourth-grader to eight years of preparation for a far-off goal: college admission.

The paper sat untouched for several days, her mom skeptical that anyone was serious about making such a promise for Porchá. "It's just another program they're starting in Oak Park," Arnita Chambers remembers thinking. "It'll fall through. 'We don't have the funding,' ya-ya-ya."

Some of the funding did, in time, fall through. But not the commitment. On Friday, Arnita Chambers watched as a throng of supporters praised the accomplishments of Porchá and four other incoming freshmen at UC Davis.

"I love this program, I love the people, I love everybody," the woman gushed. "I'm so happy. I'm overwhelmed, I'm crying!"

Friday was a day of joy for many in Oak Park and the educational community, a day to celebrate five young adults who followed through on a promise made long ago: Porchá Chambers, April McGee, Alvin Rudulph II, Farm Saephank and Daniel Wright Jr.

They are five of nearly 100 former fourth-graders at Father Keith B. Kenny Elementary School who committed to the Reservation for College program in 1999. On Friday, their acceptance to UC Davis -- and fulfillment of their pledge -- was applauded at Keith B. Kenny.

"It's just like going through a gestation period and ... a birth," said Mertie Shelby, a consultant director at Keith B. Kenny, which is now a charter school.

Nine years ago, Shelby was the principal at Kenny, then a traditional elementary school, when an idea was born. She worked with UC Davis administrators to create the Reservation for College program, designed to begin conversations about college at an early age to help "demystify" college and boost the number of students attending from impoverished, ethnically diverse neighborhoods such as Oak Park.

The talk was backed up by parent meetings, field trips to college campuses and academic planning that prepared the students for acceptance into the state's university systems. Teachers, counselors and administrators led a constant campaign to keep them on the college-bound track.

Shelby's message to students: "You don't have to be a millionaire to go to college. You don't have to be a rocket scientist," she said. "You have to work hard."

She wanted them to see that education could help them get the big houses and the big cars they dreamed of. They didn't have to look to people from their community who got those things "a different way," Shelby said. "You can do it the right way," she said.

For the families of 97 fourth- graders in 1999, it sounded like a good plan. Over time, students left the program. Some left the area; others abandoned the notion that they could go to college.

Some presumably fell to the pressures Porchá Chambers warned students about in Friday's assembly: "There will be a lot of people on your path ... who will try to steer you off your path."Ignore them, she said. "Your future is worth fighting for."

UC Davis officials are still tracking down some of the students, but they are sure 27 graduated from high school. Twelve applied to universities or colleges. Officials predict that once they get final enrollment lists this fall, as many as one-third of the original 97 will be studying in a two- or four-year institution.

Today, some of the five incoming UC freshmen sheepishly admit they have little, if any, recollection of signing the contract.

"I don't at all," Wright, 17, said bluntly.

But as they grew older, they said, the program's guidance and support helped cement their plans for college.

"I feel this should be part of the curriculum in all schools," said 18-year-old Rudulph.

In exchange for their commitment, UC Davis is granting each of the five $6,000 per year to help cover tuition and fees, with $7,500 available their fourth year. Four qualified for extra financial aid. This year, a UC Davis education for a California resident costs $8,925, not including costs such as housing or books.

UC Davis Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef welcomed the five students to his school. He remembered the ceremony nine years ago when he accepted their reservations, and acknowledged that no one knew then whether the program would be successful.

"Frankly, at the time, we thought this was a gamble," he said. "We didn't know who would see through all the trauma and difficulties that lay ahead and make it to our doorstep."

Vanderhoef said he was "delighted" to see the students again. "I look forward to seeing you when you march across the stage at UCD in four years -- or thereabouts," he said.

The Reservation for College program began with a $1 million endowment that was boosted by more than $600,000 in private donations. Over time, however, budget cuts forced the program to narrow its scope.

Five elementary schools in the Elk Grove Unified district and one in Sacramento still offer the program, though the curriculum remains available to any school.

UC Davis officials said they hope the program has served to increase children's awareness about the future and what they can accomplish. If Keith B. Kenny is any indication, that cultural shift is happening.

Rozco Gutierrez, 9, says matter-of-factly that he'll go to college "wherever I could."

"I just have to work and do everything my teachers tell me to do. I believe I can do it."

Nine-year-old Jairo Naranjo and some of his classmates said they were happy to meet the five who once were in their shoes. "They're inspiring us to go that far, too," Jairo said.

"Maybe I can do it," said Jaysonna Johnson, also 9.

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